Dickeya Rot of Potatoes – the risk from contaminated potato boxes

Boxes and crates for transporting potato tubers have been identified as a plant health risk by DAERA inspectors and AFBI scientists. Potato pathogens have a high likelihood of transmission if debris from infected stock is adhering to the inside of boxes. Potatoes infected with bacterial (e.g. such as Dickeya) and fungal (e.g. gangrene) diseases may leave plant material and/or soil in boxes which can infect other crops that are stored in the box. This is particularly a risk when boxes are used for imports, and then used for storage of seed.