A leading storage expert warned, at last week's British Potato Council's Seed Industry Conference, that allowing uncontrolled air into the potato store can present a high condensation risk, increasing the spread of skin blemish diseases like silver scurf.

Adrian Cunnington, of the BPC's Sutton Bridge Experimental Unit, advised delegates of simple steps to reduce condensation forming. He said: 'Get into the habit of recording temperatures daily and closely scrutinise any changes in your seed and maincrop stores. Leaky, exposed stores are particularly inefficient and prone to condensation. Doors are a common source of leakage and leaving them open heightens the risk.' With the bulk of potato seed orders only months away Cunnington said seed tubers are best graded once ambient air cooled stores warm up in the spring. During storage, keeping seeds below 6°C will help control sprouting and prevent disease development. Prior to seed grading, tubers should be warmed to between 8 to 10°C and ventilated afterwards for three days.