Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/716604
32 POTATO GROWER | SEPTEMBER 2016 Diggin' In Diggin' In Diggin' In Diggin' In Diggin' In Diggin' In Shrink of potatoes in storage is directly related to pressure bruise. Dehydration makes potatoes soft, allowing for indentation from the weight of potatoes in a pile. Shrink is weight loss; pressure bruise is a symptom and the result of that shrink. Shrink loss can be heavy— as much as 15 to 20 percent of the potato crop—and significantly reduce the bottom line. Any amount of shrink can reduce profit proportionally to a grower, and in too many cases, can even represent a grower's entire annual profit. Shrink begins in the field during the growing season, making it essential for proper and efficient irrigation practices. However, it manifests itself most in storage. If potatoes are placed in storage in a flabby, dehydrated condition, they have already lost weight and are subject to pressure bruise immediately upon being placed in the pile. Reducing the height of a pile or using basket or box containers has STORAGE | By Garry Isaacs, Isaacs Hydropermutation Technologies Avoiding shrink and pressure bruise Are You Seeing a Shrink? proven to reduce pressure bruise by reducing the weight of potatoes stored high in the pile on those stored below. However, pressure bruise can also be avoided by keeping potatoes hydrated before placing them into storage. Growers have learned that irrigating the field prior to digging helps keep the potatoes firm when harvested. The leakage of poorly constructed storage buildings can have a negative and costly affect on the preservation of potatoes. If you enter a storage when it is empty and can see light through cracks and holes in the walls and doors, these should be repaired or at least covered prior to filling with potatoes. Studies done in the UK have pointed out that "it's difficult to spot energy leaking from a store through badly fitting doors, old louvers and the like, but it can cause no end of problems, including high energy use, hot and cold spots where condensation can form on potatoes—leading to Properly piling potatoes in storage can greatly reduce bruising and shrink and therefore positively impact a grower's bottom line.