Potato Hollow Heart
Potato hollow heart
Common name
Potato hollow heart
Hollow heart
Brown heart
Sugar center
Causal agent
Potato hollow heart is a physiological disorder caused by uneven water provision during the growth of crops. Lack of moisture slows down the growth, while an abrupt increase in the water content permits the potato to grow rapidly, leading to splitting in the center of the potato. Calcium deficiency, soil, temperature, and nutrient conditions can also affect the crops and cause hollow heart disease.
Symptoms & Signs
The most common symptom of potato hollow heart disease is a split in the center of the potato. The split looks more like a cavity and may show dark margins. In larger, oblong varieties, more than one cavity is seen. The split looks more like a cavity and may show dark margins.
Time of concern
Early spring to late summer
Common hosts
Potatoes