Pests

Trouble with storage and quality?

March 12, 2025

This article was originally published in 2022 and was updated in 2025 with updated information.

Are you storing potatoes this year? Consider your pink rot and Pythium leak management options heading into the season. Applied in-furrow at planting, Orondis® Gold DC fungicide targets pesky soil-borne issues that can melt your storage, making it a valuable piece of your integrated management plan for pink rot.

What is pink rot?

Pink rot is a devastating soil-borne disease caused by Phytophthora erythroseptica. The pathogen thrives in wet, poorly-drained soils and can survive in soil for up to seven years.

Progression of pink rot symptoms

Source: Eugenia Banks

Infected tubers often decay during harvest and handling, allowing the infection to spread rapidly to healthy tubers during storage, compromising marketable yield.

What tools are available for pink rot management?

Pink rot management is tricky, and it's important to find out which collection of tools, known as an integrated management plan, work best for your operation:

  • Crop rotation is a great way to reduce inoculum season to season.
  • Use lime to adjust the pH in acidic soils.
  • Some varieties are tolerant.
  • Irrigate frequently with less water.
  • Effective crop protection products such as Orondis Gold DC.
  • Avoid the wet areas of the field at harvest.
  • Consider post-harvest fungicides like phosphorus acid.
  • Remove the infected tubers before storage.
  • Get the pulp temperature below 13°C (55°F).

What is Pythium leak?

Infection usually occurs at harvest as tubers come into contact with spores in the soil. Potato skin looks bruised, tubers become soft and the skin grows moist. After infection, skin ruptures and the tuber exudes liquid with slight pressure.

Similar to pink rot, infection can spread rapidly from infected tubers during storage.

An image of a sliced potato with the characteristic soggy grey and black flesh that indicates a Pythium leak infection.

What tools are available for Pythium leak management?

Fewer tools are available for managing Pythium leak than pink rot. Consider the following when planning for next season:

  • Effective crop protection products like Ridomil Gold® 480SL or Orondis Gold DC.
  • Some varieties are tolerant.
  • Ensure good skin set before you dig.
  • Try to minimize bruising during harvest.
  • Harvest when pulp temperatures are cool (<18°C or 65°F).


Please check with your processor or packer prior to using Orondis Gold DC on potatoes destined for use outside of Canada. Please see the Foodchain ID Regulatroy Limits by BCGlobal database for a complete list of MRLs.