**4. Plant selection and elimination**

Plant selection and elimination are done to remove off-type plants, remove sources of infection such as virotic plants, and thus prevent the spread of diseases. Viral diseases as well as those caused by bacteria and fungi are, especially controlled by this approach. These practices also have long-term effects because they reduce the number of infected tubers entering the stock, where the infections could spoil the entire seed lot. These practices also reduce the level of inoculum and spread of virus infections. Plant selection and elimination can only be effective under the following conditions:


*Production of Potato Quality Seeds in Mountainous Region of Central Africa DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.107126*


In fact, this negative selection (removal of infected plants) does not guarantee that all remaining plants are healthy. It could only have effects if the majority of plants are healthy.

Positive selection is also possible. In this case, apparently healthy plants are harvested only if they are surrounded by other apparently healthy plants.

#### **4.1 Dehaulming, harvesting and post-harvest work**

Another protective measure that is often needed in potato seed production is shoot elimination (dehaulming) [22]. It allows for:


After harvest, tuber seeds will need to be dried cleanly to further prevent the development and spread of diseases. Initially, storage temperatures will need to be relatively high (15°C) to allow more firmness and skin coloring. Once this process is completed, the temperature should be lowered to a temperature that allows physiological development during the storage phase, with minimal loss of dry matter and water. Good ventilation is essential. Heat and cold shocks can be applied to advance the physiological maturation of the tubers.
