What to do if the potato turns out ugly and clumsy, and why this happened
Ugly, clumsy, cracked potatoes - such a “surprise” will not please the gardener when harvesting. Deformation of tubers is caused by a number of factors: from unfavorable weather to uneven watering.
Why potatoes become clumsy and ugly and whether it is possible to eat “mutant” tubers – you will learn from the article.
Why do potatoes crack, become misshapen and misshapen?
There are many reasons for this phenomenon. Deformed tubers look different – the exact symptoms depend on the specific factor. When infected with diseases or pests, a complex of accompanying symptoms appears.
Weather
The main reason why potatoes become clumsy is a sudden change from stable heat to prolonged showers and coolness.. A significant difference in temperature and amount of sunlight is a stressful situation: it is difficult for potatoes to adapt to changing conditions, which causes uneven growth of tubers. If heat and drought sets in after rainfall, the vegetable bursts and voids form inside it.
Diseases
Deformity of tubers is a possible consequence of infection with viral or fungal infections. The problem is accurately determined by the presence of other signs of disease - spots, rot, yellowing of the potato ridge.
Diseases leading to deformation of tubers:
- common scab;
- blackleg;
- phomosis, or button rot.
Infected potatoes crack, and rotting or rotten pulp is visible in the resulting opening.
Pests
Potato tubers are often attacked by nematodes, a microscopic parasitic worm.. The pest lives in the soil and reproduces on potato tubers. Infection leads to cracking and the formation of large dark spots. The pulp becomes rotten.
Reference! The appearance of nematodes is difficult to detect at an early stage. Symptoms become apparent only when the infestation has already reached its peak and the potato crop has undergone significant deformation.
Another dangerous pest is wireworm.. This is the larva of a click beetle that lives in a potato tuber. A characteristic symptom of infection is numerous holes in the potatoes.
Unsuitable soil
Potatoes occupy one of the leading places in terms of demands on soil fertility, lightness and structure. The plant does not tolerate acidic soil. Small and ugly root crops grow on loam or clay soil - these are the heavy and “choking” types. There are few nutrients in such soil, the air supply is poor, the water stagnates or dries out completely - this is why potato tubers are clumsy. They cannot develop normally, which leads to the formation of “mutants”.
Take note:
What fertilizers to apply in the fall after harvesting potatoes
Types of fertilizing when planting potatoes
The best potato varieties: “Nayad”, “Madeira”, “Chaika” and others
Improper watering
A long break in watering and flooding of potato bushes are the main reasons formation of ugly and uneven potatoes. An uneven supply of water slows down growth and leads to the formation of bizarre-shaped tubers. Stagnation of water leads to the onset of putrefactive processes.
Prevention of clumsiness and ugliness of potatoes
Compliance with vegetation requirements, prevention and timely control of diseases and pests - basic rules that will help avoid the problem of ugly tubers.
Proper agricultural cultivation technology
Competent agricultural technology consists of several stages. The first is soil preparation. If the soil on the site is clayey and there is no way to change it, preliminary preparation is required. In the fall, rotted or fresh sawdust, urea or any other nitrogen-containing fertilizer are applied. They dig with a shovel on a bayonet.
Sand is added to increase lightness and permeability. (preferably coarse river) – 1 bucket per 1 m². To deoxidize in the fall and spring, chalk, lime or wood ash are added to the soil before planting.
Important! Fresh manure should not be added to the soil. This is the source of scab. Organics are added only in rotted form.
Only healthy specimens without deformations or external pathologies are planted.. It is recommended to select varieties with high immunity. Before planting, they are treated against pests and diseases - soaking in a solution of Fitosporin, Integral or Baktofit.
Other recommendations:
- For planting, select a well-lit area.
- Hill up for the first time when the green mass grows to 10 cm, the second time after 14 days, the third time before flowering.
- Potato bushes need two intensive waterings per season (if there is no drought). The first is carried out 5-7 days after emergence, the second - at the beginning of the process of tuber formation.
- After each watering, loosen the soil.
- Timely removal of weeds, especially sow thistle and wheatgrass. Their long and powerful roots pass through the tubers and remain inside. Also wheatgrass is a carrier wireworm.
Disease Control
To prevent infection, after harvesting, the area is sown with green manure (legumes or cereals). After reaching 10-15 cm, dig up the bed. The remains of green manure in the soil will kill saprophytic fungi and pathogens.
Pre-planting treatment of tubers with Fitosporin is recommended.. Then the potato bushes are treated 3 times a season for preventive purposes. Working solution – 1 sachet per 3 liters of water.
| Disease | Drugs for treatment |
| Scab | Strong-acting agents - Mancozeb, Colfugo, Fenoram Super. |
| Blackleg | A folk variation of treatment is garlic infusion. Pass 2-3 cloves through a press, add a glass of warm water, leave for a day. Before spraying add 5 liters of clean water
Chemicals – “Fitosporin-M”, “Vitaros”, “Topsin-M”, “Effekton”, “Energen”, “HOM”. |
| Fomoz | Effective preparations for treatment are “Titus”, “Vist”, “Maxim”, “Baktofit”, “Integral”. |
In case of severe infection or in the absence of a therapeutic effect, the diseased bush is dug up and burned. The remaining hole is sprinkled with wood ash. Neighboring plants are subject to preventive spraying. For these purposes, take “Fitosporin”, “Maxim”, “Zircon” or a solution of copper sulfate - 1 tbsp. l. for 1 liter of water.
Pest Control
To scare away nematodes and other pests, plants with a specific smell are planted in the potato rows: sweet clover, marigolds, calendula, nasturtium. Herbal infusions and decoctions are ineffective in the fight against nematodes.
DSpecial chemicals are used to eliminate the pest:
- "Bazudin";
- "Karbofos";
- "Phosfamide";
- "Carbation";
- "Nemagon."
What to do with a gnarled and ugly tuber
Potatoes that have lost their marketable appearance, can be eaten provided that the internal pulp has not undergone any changes. Such tubers cannot be stored. If the potatoes turn out small, burst, or crooked, it is better to use them as livestock feed without preliminary cleaning.
Is it possible to eat and how to save
Compliance with preventive measures will help save the crop from deformation and curvature.. If the potatoes have already become ugly, there is no way to correct the situation.
“Mutants” that have grown due to non-compliance with the rules of agricultural technology can be eaten, but it is extremely difficult to clean such tubers. It is not recommended to eat potatoes with cracks and rot.
Conclusion
To prevent tubers from deforming, be sure to follow agrotechnical rules and preventive measures. It is not recommended to plant the plant on poor and heavy soils; it is forbidden to flood the bushes. Apply fertilizing and fertilizer in moderation. Carry out preventive treatments against diseases and pest attacks in a timely manner.
Crooked potatoes cannot be stored. Large specimens without rot or cracks are allowed to be eaten, small ones are best given to livestock, and rotten specimens should be thrown away.