Risk factors

During the potato growing cycle, and more specifically on emergence and at tuber initiation, low temperatures (9 to 17°C) and the presence of water are the most decisive factors in the development of the fungus. Environmental conditions that enhance the opening of lenticels are also be favourable to contamination.

During storage, infected tubers may contaminate the environment through air- dispersal of spores (photo 1) by the ventilation system. Due to their high potential to survive in unfavourable conditions, these spores can be carried by any substrate that then can become a source of contamination.