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Cause, control and detection of hollow heart in potatoes: A review

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Abstract

A review of the literature was conducted on the causes, development, control and detection of hollow heart in potatoes. Hollow heart is a physiological disorder characterized by a cavity in the pith region of the tuber. Development of the disorder is often associated with rapid tuber growth that may be preceded by a period of moisture or nutritional stress. Two or more types of hollow heart may exist. They are differentiated by the cause of the disorder, the pattern of development, and the growth stage of the tuber when the disorder develops. Management can affect the incidence of hollow heart by such methods as choice of cultivar, plant spacing, rate and timing of fertilizer application, and control of soil moisture. Several attempts have been made to develop non-destructive techniques for detection of tubers with hollow heart cavities. The most reliable and practical procedure developed to date for the detection of hollow heart in whole tubers uses x-ray technology.

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  1. Agriculture Canada, Research Station, ROG 1JO, Morden, MB, Canada

    B. L. Rex & G. Mazza

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Rex, B.L., Mazza, G. Cause, control and detection of hollow heart in potatoes: A review. American Potato Journal 66, 165–183 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02853679

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