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Before choosing a seed potato for your plot, it is worth deciding what exactly you expect from this crop. There are many criteria according to which you can choose the right variety. They should be noted, and it is better to write them out on a separate piece of paper. Subsequently, this will facilitate the selection process and save you from a lot of unnecessary information and work.
Basic information
Russia occupies one of the leading positions in potato growing. In our country, there are about 500 varieties, a third of which are bred by domestic breeders. The main criteria that gardeners pay attention to are yield and ripening time. The earliest harvest is obtained from varieties with early ripening periods, but their disadvantage is poor preservation. This variety is grown solely for the sake of obtaining an early harvest and quick consumption in food.
Mid-late varieties are distinguished by a long growing season and good harvest preservation. They are grown not only for personal consumption, but also on an industrial scale. Late potatoes have good characteristics, but due to the long growing season, they are not suitable for growing in some regions, including those in Moscow and the Moscow region.
Potato seed is consumed at the rate of 20-30 kg per one hundred square meters. It is preferable to plant it in fertile black soil, but other types of soils are also allowed. Each region has its own weather and climatic characteristics, which can both positively affect the harvest, and harm it. For certain localities, there are specially zoned potato varieties (for example, the Moscow region and the Moscow region).
Potato varieties are different
The best potato varieties for Russia
Which potatoes are best for planting in Russia? It is impossible to give a definite answer, because our country is located in several climatic zones, for each of which different types of potatoes are recommended for cultivation. As a rule, the middle lane is taken as a basis, and for the rest of the areas reservations and recommendations are made on the cultivation of a particular variety.
The best, according to the reviews of gardeners, are recognized:
- Rosara;
- Globe;
- Nikse;
- Bit Gear;
- Debut.
All potato varieties listed above have excellent yields. Rosara is an early species with a distinctive skin color that ranges from brown to red. The tuber grows small, but at least 20 of them are formed on each bush. With stable and regular watering, up to 30 ovaries are formed per bush.
The disadvantage of Rosara is considered her demanding care and the need for constant irrigation. Without this, it will not be possible to harvest a record harvest. But this variety is resistant to the most common diseases and has excellent taste characteristics. It is cultivated mainly in the middle lane, but is also suitable for other regions. Growing in closed ground is allowed.
It has not yet gained wide popularity, but summer residents still appreciate its advantages over competitors. The beautiful yellow color of the tubers attracts attention with its appearance, the taste is also excellent.The crop grows quite large even in adverse weather conditions, but it requires care and attention. It responds favorably to timely watering and top dressing. The variety is resistant to the main types of diseases. Recommended for cultivation in the middle lane, but can also be planted in other regions.
Rosara potato
Another attractive yellow potato is Nikse, which has a medium ripening period. Its characteristic suggests that the pulp does not darken when cut and peeled. It has a pleasant cream color that does not change even after heat treatment. Potatoes are perfectly stored until spring and have excellent taste characteristics. Tubers are about the same size, with small eyes. The variety is resistant to major diseases, but requires regular watering and top dressing. It is affected by the Colorado potato beetle, it needs preventive treatments from this pest. Nikse is suitable for growing in all regions; it can also be planted indoors.
The recently appeared and successfully announced Bit Gear potatoes deserve attention, the description of which promises not only high yields, but also increased resistance to diseases and pests. The bush of this variety grows wide and spreading, so that excess moisture does not evaporate from the soil. The plant needs weeding only until the tops are spread. After that, the weeds are no longer afraid of the root crop. The tubers are large, with small eyes. Good taste, universal application. Resistance to diseases is average, preventive treatments are required. So far, the variety has been zoned only for the climatic conditions of the middle zone.
Potato Debut
Debut potatoes have an average ripening period, are perfectly stored and transported over long distances. Its tubers have a light, almost white color and rather large size. Due to its high commercial characteristics, attractive appearance, the variety is suitable for sowing on an industrial scale. With regular watering and timely fertilization, yield indicators are high. The tubers are widely used in cooking, do not darken when cut. Due to the lack of prevalence, it became a problem to get planting material. Mostly it is ordered via the Internet. It is grown mainly in the middle lane.
Agrarians, albeit in small numbers, are already cultivating this species on their plantations. Seed material is usually grown independently, since it is unlikely to be found on the market. Sometimes farmers even resort to the unpopular method when planting is done from seed. In this case, the harvest has to wait for more than one year, but it's worth it. The variety is resistant to the main types of diseases, fruitful, well stored and transported. Needs good care and compliance with agricultural conditions. It is mainly used as a delicacy product. Not every summer resident can afford to cultivate such an exotic variety. Recommended for growing in the middle lane.
The potatoes of the Lombardy variety have not yet received proper recognition. Its tubers with high commercial and taste characteristics, attractive in appearance, do not leave indifferent gardeners. However, varietal planting material is quite expensive, and it is difficult to get it. And if you need to sow a large area, then you will have to pay a decent amount. This is the main reason that hinders the spread of this root crop in our country. Best suited for mid-lane conditions.
Potato Nikse
The good and time-tested Ideal potatoes have occupied an honorable place in the beds for more than three decades. Some people consider it obsolete, but the root crop is not losing ground.It is the result of the painstaking work of domestic breeders, shows increased resistance to diseases and pests. The taste characteristics are excellent, but the yield is average. The starch content reaches 20%. Potatoes keep well. The skin of the tubers is pink, the flesh is white. The harvest has a universal purpose and is widely used in cooking. Needs constant weed removal and soil loosening. The variety is zoned for all regions, perfectly adapts to various climatic conditions.
The description of these potato varieties allows us to say that each of them has a number of advantages that distinguish it favorably over its competitors. At the same time, none of the presented names is free from flaws that cannot be ignored. Also in obtaining a good harvest, the size of the potatoes selected for planting plays an important role. In this matter, the golden mean must be observed: only tubers weighing about 60-80 grams are used for seeds. Otherwise, yields drop significantly. Large potatoes can be cut shortly before planting is planned, but small ones simply cannot provide sufficient nutrition to young plants.
Potato Globe
Diseases and pests
New products from domestic and foreign developers sometimes surprise with their capabilities, but over time, even they can become a victim of various diseases and insidious pests.
The following diseases are most dangerous for potatoes:
- late blight;
- scab;
- brown rot;
- fusarium;
- phomosis;
- ring rot;
- viruses.
ring rot
Almost all types of potatoes are affected by the Colorado potato beetle. What they just do not come up with and as soon as breeders and farmers are not sophisticated in order to overcome this insect. Several types of root crops have already been bred that are not interesting for this pest. However, as experienced gardeners note, these tubers have slightly worse taste characteristics and are poorly boiled. Therefore, many summer residents prefer to treat their plantings with special preparations or use alternative methods of struggle. It is constantly necessary to collect beetles and their larvae, which are deposited on the lower part of the leaves. Ripening of eggs lasts from 7 to 17 days, depending on the weather. For the purpose of prophylaxis, spraying is carried out twice a season with any drug intended to combat the Colorado potato beetle.
To avoid the spread of diseases and viruses on the site, the rules of crop rotation must be strictly observed. It is recommended to plant marigolds near the potatoes, which will help scare off pests and protect plantings.
Other varieties of potatoes
Currently, the work of breeders does not stop, they constantly offer new original varieties to the attention of consumers. It is difficult to say what the main characteristic they should have, since the requirements and demands for plants are increasing every day. Every summer resident still wonders from year to year which potatoes are best suited for planting, and how to get the maximum yield with good commercial characteristics.
Potato blooms
It is worth recommending to pay attention to such varieties: Krasa, Dauphine, Cardinal, Hostess, Lighthouse, Banba, League, Anniversary, Belmondo, Sifra, Chateau, Madam, Agatha, Nadezhda, Gypsy, Morning, Asterix, Empress, Sovereign, Bars, Melody, Pennant, Rose, Lad, Blue, Saber, Desiree, Kuznechanka, Amethyst, Bafana, Farmer, Ermak, Miracle worker, Darenka, Slavyanka, Gourmet, Epic, Gloria, Arnica, Christelle, Red, Panther, Polesskoe, Dauphinua, Dolphin, Hercules, Pig-iron, Favorite.
Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages, but they all deserve to take up space in the beds.
Sowing potatoes is a very responsible business, for which every gardener prepares long before the start of the season. Seed material is harvested, the site is being prepared, tools and devices are being prepared. This is not surprising, because this culture has become almost the main one in domestic gardens. In wartime, even potato bread was prepared, thanks to which they were saved from hunger. Modern gardeners are faced with a difficult task - to choose the right variety that will deliver a minimum of hassle when growing and bear fruit abundantly. Unfortunately, it is impossible to give a clear recommendation and name one specific variety recommended for cultivation. The choice must be approached individually, everyone must take into account their needs, preferences and features of agricultural technology.
