Response of Potato to Simulated Hail Damage in the Field.

Hail damage and intensity of damage to potatoes can occur at different growth stages of the crop. Field studies were conducted at Colorado State University San Luis Valley Research Center to evaluate the impact of simulated hail damage on tuber yield, tuber size distribution, and quality of early (Russet Norkotah TX296) and late (Russet Nugget) potato cultivars. The study was laid out as a factorial arrangement of the treatments in a randomized complete block design, with four replications. Treatments included simulation of hail damage at three growth stages (tuber initiation, early tuber bulking, and late tuber bulking), and at three intensities of damage (33%, 66%, and 99%). A control treatment was established where no damage was done to the foliage. Treatment combinations included, Control; 33% damage at tuber initiation; 66% damage at tuber initiation; 99% damage at tuber initiation; 33% damage at early tuber bulking; 66% damage at early tuber bulking; 99% damage at early tuber bulking; 33% damage at late tuber bulking; 66% damage at late tuber bulking; and 99% damage at late tuber bulking. Hail damage was simulated using a weed eater to randomly shred the foliage to desired percent damage. For Russet Norkotah TX296, total tuber yield was reduced by 42% and 36% when 99% simulated hail damage occurred at tuber initiation and early tuber bulking, respectively. For Russet Nugget, 33% damage at late tuber bulking did not impact total or marketable (> 4 oz.) tuber yield, but 99% simulated hail damage at tuber initiation reduced total and marketable tuber yield by 33%. Data from this study indicate that for early maturity cultivars, hail damage during late tuber bulking does not reduce total or marketable tuber yield. For later maturity cultivars, 99% hail damage at tuber initiation can impact total or marketable tuber yield significantly.