Pink pigmentation of the flesh or of the skin

Kind of organism : Disorders and damages

Detection method : Visual

All diseases & pests

Symptoms on tubers

Two types of pink colouration may be observed in the flesh of the tubers:

Additionally, pink colouration of the skin may also be observed externally in several yellow- skinned cultivars which are to varying degrees also susceptible to this anthocyanic pigmentation. This may also affect the eyes or possibly the entire surface of the tuber (Belle de Fontenay, Estima, Caesar, Samba among others) (photo 4).

Pigmentation of the eyes may, however, be a genetic characteristic of some cultivars (photo 5).

Risk factors

The first type of pink colouration of the flesh sometimes occurs in cultivars such as Bintje or Rosa when infected by Potato leaf roll virus (PLRV).

The second type affects mainly cv. Roseval. The pigment responsible for this colouration is not toxic and is related to those found in wine and red cabbage. The percentage of tubers affected increases during the vegetative period.

Anthocyanic pigmentation of the skin occurs as a reaction to light (photo 4) or stress.

With the latter, a number of environmental factors would appear to favour its appearance in crops. For example:

Control