Hail damage

The extent of the damage depends on the force of the hailstorm. In extreme cases, the surface of the foliage is completely destroyed (photos 1 and 2) with significant damage to the stems which are “lacerated” (photos 3 and 4). In some cases, the hailstones damage the tubers directly (sides or tops of the ridges). An appropriate late blight protection is then necessary.

The effect on the yield and the quality of the tubers produced are also highly variable: significant loss of yield due to a late crop and/or fewer daughter tubers. In certain cases, re- growth and symptoms of glassiness may be observed (see Secondary growth).