Potato cracking results from poor handling procedures during harvest, while loading into storage cellars, and during removal from storage. The percentage of marketable tubers (and profits) decreases while the potential infection of tubers increases. Levels of tuber damage caused at various stops during handling of Russet Bur-bank potatoes were determined during 1971-72 at Tulelake. Pre-warming, by forced air heating before removal of potatoes from storage and lowering them through a vertical deceleration chute resulted in a marked reduction in the amount of tuber cracking.

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