Potato "Seed" Rot

[thefuture]

I bought a 50lb bag of kennebec seed potato from a reseller here. It is imported from the states. Many of the tubers have soft black decay on a portion of them. Someone I shared them with is concerned that this is a sign of disease and is not something that should be seen on properly crafted seed potato (and this stuff is certified). Without seeing it, is their justification likley to be correct or could it simply be something that "happens" when the items get old enough. They were kept in cold storage locally.

The seller says he is cutting off rotten pieces and planting what is left. My concerned friend doesn;t want to put viruses into her field....

[Tom Wagner]

Somewhere along the way these seed potatoes were kept too wet without enough air ventilation. Planting these potatoes will probably result in reduced stands. The knives used to cut the potatoes will spread the problem. Bottom line---I would be somewhat hesitant to plant them--but I don't think you will infect other potatoes in this plot for this year.

ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/3000/3106.html

Blackleg, aerial stem rot, and tuber soft rot are caused by two closely related bacteria, Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica and Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora. E. c. carotovora is very common and has an extensive host range, including most fleshy vegetables. It survives readily in soil and surface waters such as rivers, lakes, and even oceans. These bacteria are capable of multiplying and persisting in the root zones of many host and nonhost crop and weed species. In contrast, E. c. atroseptica is associated mostly with potatoes. These bacteria do not survive well in soil for more than one year, unless they are contained within diseased tubers or other potato plant debris. Blackleg is usually caused by E. c. atroseptica carried on contaminated seed tubers. Most lots of seed tubers are contaminated to some degree, but the bacteria are usually dormant and do not cause disease unless environmental conditions are favorable. In contrast, aerial stem rot is usually caused by E. c. carotovora contained in infested soil or introduced to the crop by irrigation water, wind-blown rain, and insects. Tuber soft rot can be caused by either of these soft-rot bacteria.

www.umaine.edu/umext/potatoprogram/Fact%20Sheets/BL&SR.pdf
This site has some more good info.

Rhizoctonia and Kennebec is not a good mix either

[thefuture]

Ok. I am going to take them back and get some yukon gold instead. Thanks.