b'process can be simplified into twotakes roughly 14 to 21 days for suf- maintain adequate air flow, temper-stages. First suberin, a hydrophobicficientperidermformationtopre- ature, and humidity if the height of waxymaterial,isformedwithinvent Fusarium dry rot. cutseedpilesaregreaterthan10 hourstopreventwaterloss.feet. EstablishmentofthesuberinlayerIdeal conditions for suberization ofwill prevent bacterial soft rot entrycut seed are 95-99% relative humid- If insufficient humidity is present in in approximately 3 days. Second isity (no free water), seed tuber tem- the bin or soil during wound heal-theformationofthephellogenperatureof52-60F,andabundanting,alayerofdryanddeadcells layer, or periderm. In general, cut- oxygentopreventcarbondioxidemay cover the cut surface and could ting and suberizing in good storageaccumulation. If the previous con- bemistakenforasuberizedlayer. conditions will take about 7 to 21ditionscannotbemetthisgreatlyTheresultingseedwillfeeldryto days for a wound periderm to form.increases risk of cutting and suberiz- thetouchbutwhenplantedhas Thisperidermornewskinisasing seed. When free water is left onhigh risk of seed piece decay as the effective as the original skin at pro- thecutsurface,thiswillpromoteseed is still not healed. An easy test tecting the seed piece. However, itbacterial diseases. It is a challenge tois to apply gentle pressure across the APRIL 2023 POTATO GROWER 13'