Pathogen. The pink rot fungus is soil-borne and is found in most agricultural soils.
Disease development. Infection usually occurs before or at harvest. The disease is associated with excessive soil moisture, low spots in the field, over-irrigated areas and poorly drained soils.
The fungus penetrates the tubers mainly through stolons, but infection through lenticels and eyes can occur. The fungus may also infect tubers through wounds made during harvest and handling.
Pink rot may spread slowly in storage.
Russet Norkotah, Goldrush, Snowden and Kennebec are very susceptible to pink rot.
