Is it possible to eat soft potatoes and why does it wither in the ground

If, when harvesting potatoes, sluggish, shriveled tubers come across, the reason for this can be both weather conditions and fungal diseases. Gardeners say: potatoes are boiled in the ground. Whatever this phenomenon is connected with, such a crop cannot be laid for storage.

Why potatoes get soft and sluggish when dug up

There are many reasons that lead to spoilage of tubers in the ground.... The same processes take place in them as during long-term storage in a warm place. Potatoes lose moisture, which leads to dehydration at the cellular level. The tubers remain round on the outside but sluggish on the inside.

Why do potatoes wither in the ground

The lethargy of tubers in the ground by the end of the growing season is possible for several reasons.... Let's consider the most common ones.

Reference. Sometimes tubers wither due to an incorrectly selected variety: some are not suitable for sowing in the southern regions, others grow poorly in the northern ones.

Weather

In adverse weather conditions tops wither, and this negatively affects the tubers:

1. Dry weather... In arid regions, it is important to ensure timely watering of plantations, especially during flowering and bud formation.
2. Sudden changes in temperature... In many regions, by the end of summer, the temperature at night drops to + 5 ... + 7 ° C, which is why the tops turn black and wither.
3. Heavy rains... High soil moisture leads to premature wilting of tubers. Stagnant water does not allow oxygen to reach the roots, the plant begins to wither or rot.

Diseases

The most common diseases that lead to tuber wilting include:

1. Brown bacteriosis... Insects, rainwater, or dirty garden tools are sources of infection. As soon as bacteria reach the tubers, blood clots form. Potatoes no longer receive moisture, which leads to wilting.
2. Verticillary wilting... The crop becomes infected during flowering, the disease affects the lower part of the haulm. There is a blockage of the vessels of the vegetable culture, the leaves and stems are covered with dark spots. Moisture ceases to flow to the leaves, they wither and fall. Early varieties are saved by urgent digging of tubers.
3. Silvery scab... The fungus infects potatoes between the peridermis and the epidermis, due to a lack of moisture, air cavities arise. The tubers do not rot, but they become light and soft. Depending on the degree of damage, potatoes may wither after harvesting and storing the crop for the winter. Over time, the affected areas acquire a silvery hue.

Pests

Some insects damage the stems and roots of the plant, which leads to disruption of the vascular system and the process of photosynthesis. As a result, the tops dry out, the tubers stop growing and wither.

Among the potato pests:

1. Colorado beetle... Found in almost every garden. The insect larvae are dangerous, which, during growth, eat green foliage, leaving bare stems.
2. Stem nematode affects the tubers and roots of the plant. It is difficult to detect it - the size of the worms does not exceed 1.5 mm. They are capable of destroying up to 4 hectares of crops.

Lack of trace elements and unsuitable soil

The quality of the soil directly depends on the atmospheric conditions... When the soil dries up, it becomes covered with cracks, which leads to an even greater loss of moisture.Too wet soil does not allow air to pass through, as a result of which the plant experiences oxygen starvation, withers and dies.

Atmospheric precipitation quickly flushes nitrogen out of sandy soil in an easily assimilable form. Due to the lack of trace elements (potassium, nitrogen, boron, manganese, magnesium and calcium), the tubers wither, the leaves turn yellow.

Important! Improper watering is one of the reasons for potatoes to wilt. The plant needs moisture at the time of germination, flowering and budding.

Is it possible to eat soft potatoes

Closer to spring, potatoes become soft and tasteless. It loses useful material, but you can eat it without harm to health... If the reason for the withering of the potato is weather conditions or a lack of nutrients, it is suitable for consumption. Damage to tubers is a symptom of fungal or viral diseases. Such potatoes are hazardous to health.

Prevention

For a large harvest experienced agronomists recommend taking preventive measures several times: before planting potatoes, during growth and after harvest.

Correct agricultural technique

Agrotechnical techniques increase the quality of the crop:

1. Every year it is recommended to follow the rules of crop rotation... It is better not to plant cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplants and peppers near potato beds.
2. Optimal landing dates are changing... Sprouted tubers are planted when the birch buds bloom. By this time, the earth has time to warm up.
3. The amount of harvest is also depends on the density of the garden... No more than 5-7 bushes are planted on 1 m².
4. Important kill weeds in a timely manner... They spread disease, take up moisture and nutrients, and shade plantings.
5. Increase watering during bud formation and periodically loosen the soil.

Fighting disease

Diseases can be avoided if some rules are followed:

1. Check the seed carefully and change every 3-4 years.
2. Treat the tubers before planting potassium permanganate or copper sulfate (dilute 5 g of powder in 3 liters of water).
3. Sprouted tubers produce solanine, thanks to which resistance to certain diseases increases. For germination, it is enough to hold the seeds under the sun or an ultraviolet lamp.
4. Timely inspect the bushes, if there are first signs, immediately process their fungicidal agents "Fitosporin", "Quadris", "Prestige".
5. Collect and burn the stems after harvest... Rotten potatoes should not be left in the garden.

Pest control

Pest insects can easily move from one area to another and can destroy the entire crop. You can prevent the appearance of the Colorado potato beetle in the following way:

1. Selection of resistant varieties (Tempo, Spark, Diamond, Platinum).
2. Manual assembly of the beetle... The female lays about 400 eggs per season, therefore, the destruction of 1 adult individual significantly reduces the spread of larvae in the area.
3. Chemical treatment is carried out if the attack is massive. Stems and leaves are treated with solutions "Colorado", "Sumicidin", "Actellik".
4. If a nematode lesion is detected, damaged plants are dug up and burned. Work shoes and equipment are treated with formalin.

Top dressing

To form 10 kg of healthy tubers, the following fertilizers are applied in stages:

1. Before boarding... If the soil is clay, humus is added, if peat is a sandy substrate.
2. In the end of May - nitrogenous mixtures.
3. During bud formation - potash fertilizers (potassium sulfate, wood ash).
4. During flowering - phosphorus (superphosphate).
5. When dry the stem and leaves are sprayed with the immunostimulant Bactofit.

Conclusion

Potatoes need timely watering and feeding, in addition, they are often affected by fungal diseases and pests. Yellowed or twisted leaves indicate that the bush will soon die.

To prevent such problems, follow the rules of agricultural technology, apply fertilizers in a timely manner, huddle the beds and monitor the crop rotation.