Russet Burbank Potato Net Necrosis: Pests & Diseases Guide

June 29, 2026 Bill Hageman

Russet Burbank Potatoes: The Truth About Pesticides, Diseases, and Misconceptions Explained

Russet Burbank is one of the most famous potato varieties grown in the United States. It is the classic baking potato found in many grocery stores and is often used to make fast-food fries, including those served by McDonald’s. Because it is widely grown, gardeners often compare it with newer cultivars like Ranger Russet, which was developed for improved yield and disease resistance.

All cultivated potatoes ultimately trace their origins to domestication in South America, where the crop was first grown thousands of years ago. Today, after harvest, potatoes are often cured and stored in atmosphere controlled sheds to maintain quality and extend shelf life before they reach markets.

Because Russet Burbank is so common, many gardeners have questions about diseases, pesticide use, genetically modified potatoes, and food safety. If you’ve ever wondered whether a Russet Burbank potato is safe to eat or how it compares to other cultivars, this guide explains the facts in simple terms.

Potato tuber with common scab diseases in potatoes

What Is a Russet Burbank Potato?

The Russet Burbank potato was developed in the late 1800s and became one of the most important potatoes grown across North America.

Gardeners and farmers like it because it produces large potatoes, stores well, and works well for baking, frying, and many processed foods. Today, it remains one of the most widely grown potato varieties in the United States.

Understanding Net Necrosis

One concern gardeners sometimes encounter is Russet Burbank potato net necrosis. This condition causes dark lines, brown streaks, or black spots inside the potato flesh. The problem may not be visible from the outside, which can make it surprising when the potato is cut open.

You may also see this issue referred to as Russet Burbank potato necrosis or Russet Burbank potatoes necrosis in gardening articles and university research publications. Regardless of the name, the condition affects the appearance and quality of the potato rather than making it unsafe to eat.

What Causes Net Necrosis?

In many cases, Russet Burbank potatoes net necrosis is linked to Potato Leafroll Virus. This virus is commonly spread by aphids, including the Russet Burbank potato aphid.

When infected aphids feed on potato plants, they can transfer the virus from one plant to another. As the potatoes develop underground, dark net-like patterns may form inside the flesh.

Can You Eat Potatoes With Net Necrosis?

Yes. Potatoes affected by net necrosis are generally considered safe to eat. The dark areas may affect texture and appearance, but they are not known to create food safety concerns.

However, potatoes that are soft, rotting, moldy, or have an unpleasant smell should always be discarded.

High-quality close-up photo of fresh raw potatoes on a wooden surface, ideal for food and culinary themes

Are Russet Burbank Potatoes GMO?

Questions about GMO potatoes are common among home gardeners. Many people wonder, are Russet Burbank potatoes GMO, especially because this variety is widely grown on commercial farms.

Others ask whether all Russet Burbank potatoes are GMO or if Russet Burbank Idaho potatoes are GMO free. These questions often come up when gardeners are choosing seed potatoes for home gardens.

The answer is that most Russet Burbank potatoes sold to home gardeners are not genetically modified. Traditional Russet Burbank potatoes have been grown through conventional plant breeding for more than a century.

However, some commercial gmo potatoes have been developed through genetic engineering. These newer varieties were created to reduce bruising, improve storage quality, and lower waste during processing. Certified organic seed potatoes are not genetically modified.

Are Russet Burbank Potatoes Grown With Pesticides?

Another common question is whether Russet Burbank potatoes pesticides are widely used in commercial production.

Like many agricultural crops, potatoes may be treated with pesticides to manage insects, diseases, and weeds. Whether pesticides are used depends on the farm, growing conditions, and production methods.

You may also hear terms such as Russet Burbank potato pesticide or questions like are Russet Burbank potatoes grown with pesticides. In commercial agriculture, pesticide use is regulated by agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, which sets rules for application rates and safety standards.

Some pesticide labels include a restricted entry interval, which tells workers how long they must wait before entering treated areas.

Home gardeners can reduce pesticide use by following good gardening practices, rotating crops, using healthy seed potatoes, and monitoring for pests.

A close-up view of freshly harvested potatoes showcasing their natural texture and rustic appearance

Are Russet Burbank Potatoes Toxic?

Some online articles raise concerns about whether a Russet Burbank potato toxic issue exists.

In reality, healthy potatoes are safe foods that millions of people eat potatoes every day. The same is true when people ask whether Russet Burbank potatoes toxic concerns are common.

Like all potatoes, they can develop natural compounds called glycoalkaloids if exposed to sunlight and allowed to turn green. Green potatoes should not be eaten in large amounts. This is not unique to Russet Burbank and can happen with many potato cultivars.

Common Diseases and Pests

Several problems can affect potatoes during the growing season.

Common issues include:

Aphids that spread plant viruses
Potato blight
Colorado potato beetles
Net necrosis linked to Potato Leafroll Virus

Helpful resources from Grow Organic include Potato Leaves Turning Yellow: Common Causes and Solutions and Potato Blight: How Gardeners Can Stop It Before Spread.

Conclusion

Russet Burbank remains one of the most popular potatoes grown in North America. While topics such as net necrosis, pesticides, and GMO potatoes can sound concerning, understanding the facts helps gardeners make informed decisions.

Most home gardeners grow traditional, non-GMO potatoes, and common issues such as aphids, diseases, and storage problems can often be managed with good gardening practices. With proper care, this classic potato variety continues to be a reliable choice for home gardens and farms alike.

FAQs About Russet Burbank Potato Pests & Diseases

What are some common Russet Burbank potato diseases and pests?

Common issues include aphids, Potato Leafroll Virus, potato blight, and Colorado potato beetles.

What causes net necrosis in Russet Burbank potatoes?

Net necrosis is most commonly caused by Potato Leafroll Virus (PLRV), which is spread by aphids, especially the green peach aphid. Once infected, the virus moves through the plant's vascular tissue, creating the dark brown network of discoloration inside the tubers.

Can you safely eat potatoes with net necrosis?

Yes. Potatoes affected by net necrosis are generally safe to eat, but the internal brown streaking can reduce texture and quality. Severely affected potatoes may have an undesirable appearance or flavor, so many gardeners choose to discard heavily damaged tubers.

How can I prevent potato leafroll virus in my garden?

The best prevention includes planting certified organic disease-free seed potatoes, controlling aphids early in the season, removing volunteer potato plants, and eliminating weeds that can harbor aphids and viruses. Since viruses cannot be cured after infection, prevention is the most effective strategy.

Are Russet Burbank potatoes more susceptible to net necrosis than other potato varieties?

Yes. Russet Burbank is one of the potato varieties most susceptible to developing internal net necrosis after infection with Potato Leafroll Virus. Many other potato varieties may become infected without showing the same level of internal discoloration.

What insects spread Potato Leafroll Virus?

The green peach aphid is the primary insect responsible for transmitting Potato Leafroll Virus. Potato aphids can also spread the disease, but they are generally less efficient vectors. Managing aphid populations is essential for reducing virus transmission.

Can infected seed potatoes spread net necrosis to future crops?

Yes. Planting infected seed potatoes is one of the most common ways Potato Leafroll Virus becomes established in a garden or field. Always purchase certified seed potatoes from reputable suppliers to reduce the risk of introducing the virus.

Is there a treatment for potato net necrosis once plants are infected?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for Potato Leafroll Virus or the net necrosis it causes. Once plants become infected, management focuses on removing infected plants when practical, controlling aphids, and planting healthy seed potatoes in future seasons.

How do you identify Potato Leafroll Virus before harvest?

Potato Leafroll Virus (PLRV) can be difficult to identify early, but infected plants often develop upward-rolling leaves, pale or yellow foliage, stunted growth, and reduced vigor. Symptoms may vary depending on the potato variety and the timing of infection. Because net necrosis develops inside the tubers, the damage is often not visible until potatoes are harvested and cut open.

Can aphids spread other potato diseases besides Potato Leafroll Virus?

Yes. Aphids are responsible for transmitting several important potato viruses, including Potato Virus Y (PVY), Potato Virus A (PVA), and Potato Virus M (PVM) in addition to Potato Leafroll Virus (PVRS). These viral diseases can reduce plant vigor, lower yields, and affect tuber quality. Keeping aphid populations under control with products like Neem is one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of multiple potato diseases.

Does crop rotation help prevent potato viruses?

Crop rotation is an important part of growing healthy potatoes, but it does not eliminate Potato Leafroll Virus on its own. Since PLRV is spread by aphids rather than remaining in the soil, rotation works best when combined with planting certified seed potatoes, removing volunteer potato plants, controlling weeds, and managing aphid populations. Rotating potatoes with unrelated crops also helps reduce soil-borne diseases and insect pests.

Why should I plant certified seed potatoes?

Certified seed potatoes are carefully inspected and tested to ensure they are free from many common diseases and viruses, including Potato Leafroll Virus. Starting with healthy seed stock greatly reduces the chance of introducing viruses into your garden and helps produce stronger plants, higher yields, and better-quality potatoes. Saving seed potatoes from infected plants can spread disease from one season to the next.

What other potato diseases can be confused with net necrosis?

Several potato disorders can resemble net necrosis because they also cause internal discoloration or poor tuber quality. These include zebra chip, brown center, hollow heart, fusarium dry rot, and blackleg. Unlike net necrosis, many of these problems are caused by bacteria, fungi, environmental stress, or nutrient imbalances rather than viruses. If you're unsure of the cause, examining both the plant and tubers—or consulting your local Cooperative Extension office—can help determine the correct diagnosis.