Rain damage to plants or newly-lifted tubers

Seed tubers that hace been dampened by the rain before being planted (e.g. in the planter hopper or skip) are more susceptible to rotting pathogens. This may cause emergence losses (photo 1). Ware tubers rained on before storing may also be more susceptible to rotting.

The effect on the yield and on the quality of the harvested tubers produced also varies greatly, with potential significant loss of yield due to late growth and/or fewer daughter tubers (see secondary growth).