Effect of simulated hail damage on yield and quality of Russet Burbank potatoes

The yield and quality response of Russet Burbank potatoes to simulated hail damage was dependent upon the amount of damage and on the growth stage at which the damage occurred. Plots of Russet Burbank potato plants were subjected to 0%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% defoliation at 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, or 14 weeks after emergence. A motorized flail was used to simulate the complex damage that occurs during a natural hail storm. Early season simulated hail damage, when the plants were mainly vegetative, caused yield losses proportional to the degree of damage. Simulated hail damage during the early phases of tuber growth caused minor yield losses (< 5%) at low defoliation levels but severe losses at the higher levels with proportional loss of tuber quality. Defoliation later in the season resulted in progressively less reduction of both yield and quality. At or near maturity, late season simulated hail damage caused insignificant losses unless the stems were damaged enough to prevent nutrition and carbohydrate translocation into the tubers.