Back hurt and hollow heart in potato occur due to? (IBPS AFO 2015)

✅Explanation: Back hurt and hollow heart in potatoes are physiological disorders that occur due to environmental conditions rather than pests, diseases, or nutrient deficiencies. These disorders are often associated with irregular watering, especially fluctuations in soil moisture levels during the growing season. Inconsistent or inadequate irrigation practices can lead to these physiological disorders in potatoes.

🔑Key Points:

– Black heart is characterised by black colouration at the centre of the tuber.

– The affected tissues form clearly delineated spots, irregular in pattern, that remain quite firm and sometimes contain small cavities.

– With seed potato tubers, the diseased plants germinate badly and produce weak plants.

– It occurs when the soil is saturated with water or during very hot temperatures.

– A long exposure to temperatures of around 0°C can also cause the damage.

– Black heart is caused by a lack of oxygen or an excess of CO2