Weight Loss of Potato Tubers in Storage

Water is a crucial component of a potato. The more water a potato loses, the less its selling potential. Understanding water loss in stored potatoes is thus vitally important for producers. Learn the basic physics of water loss in this five-page bulletin, including the role of water vapor pressure, its impact on storage management, the influence of temperature differences and humidity, and how to calculate its impact on your crop (actual weight loss). Using the equations and referencing the sample calculations will enable you to estimate water-loss impacts on your harvest, improving your ability to better manage your crop’s storage.