and temperature - to minimize weight loss. Remove field heat and tighten the delta T to 0.5 to 2.0F as soon as possible with humidified cooling (or refrigerated) air and use air to equilibrate the pile to remove areas of varying temperatures and humidity. Remember, warmer air holds more water so varying temperatures within the pile also varies the relative humidity around the potatoes and contributes to tuber water loss or even potential condensation. The more turgid - or more hydrated - a potato is, the greater the force required to deform it (pressure bruise) in storage. This means a hydrated potato can withstand the pressure of the pile more than a dehydrated potato. If you have known dehydrated potatoes from the field or a known storage that lack proper ventilation or humidification to minimize weight loss, then those potatoes can be earmarked for short term storage or decrease the pile height at loading. Minimizing weight loss and pressurebruise is complex and can be achieved by an integrated approach in Tuber turgidity and moisture loss Tuber turgidity and moisture loss 20,000 16,000 12,000 8,000 4,000 0% Figure 1 the field and storage. Knowing tuber turgidity before potatoes are put in storage can help plan and reduce losses due to pressure bruise. Not one action will minimize pressure bruise but integrating how hydrated the crop is at harvest and how to maintain that hydration in storage with air, temperature and CELL POWER® ZynergyTM CELL POWER® Zynergy™ A nutrient formulation of zinc and copper complementing fungicidal and bactericidal activity of agrochemicals. CELL POWER® programs against plant stress. Trials prove CELL POWER® A nutrient formulation of zinc and copper complementin g fungicidal and bactericidal activity of agrochemicals. Zynergy™ is an effective foliar fertilizer with useful synergy in IPM CELL POWER® ZynergyTM is an effective foliar fertilizer with useful synergy in IPM programs against plant stress. Trials prove CELL POWER® ZynergyTM used as part of an IPM program can help lower plant stress and help deliver higher yields in a range of crops. Zynergy™ used as part of an IPM program can help lower plant stress and help deliver higher yields in a range of crops. humidity will decrease the potential for pressure bruise to occur. Sastry Jayanty is a postharvest physiologist at Colorado State University's San Luis Valley Research Center. Nora Olsen is a professor and Extension potato specialist at the University of Idaho. 1% 2% 3% Moisture content Russet Norkotah Rio Grande Russet Classic Russet 4% 5% ® Call 559-661-6138 Visit www.omexusa.com @OMEXCompanies /USAOMEX Spudman * July/August 2019 23 Texture analysishttp://www.omexusa.com