• Silver scurf was the most common surface disease, recorded at an incidence of 93.3% crops affected. Common scab was the second most common, affecting 82.2% of crops. Skin spot and powdery scab were the least common surface diseases recorded, affecting 13.3% and 4.4% of crops respectively.

• Internal rust spot was the most frequently encountered internal tuber blemish, affecting 31.1% of crops.

• With the exception of spraing and black leg, internal blemishes were recorded at a higher incidence than in the prevous year.

• Dry rot incidence increased markedly compared to levels recorded the previous year (17.8% crops affected in 2000/01 compared to 4.1% in 1999/00).

• Black leg was not encountered, spraing was recorded in tubers from the Midlands & West region only and tuber blight was recorded in the Northern region only.

Fig. 1 Incidence of potato tuber surface disease - % crops affected

Fig. 2 Incidence of potato tuber internal disease - % crops affected

Fig. 3 Severity of potato tuber surface disease - % surface area affected

Fig. 4 Severity of potato tuber internal disease - % tubers affected

Fig. 5 Regional incidence of potato tuber surface disease - % crops affected

Fig. 6 Regional incidence of potato tuber internal disease - % crops affected