Content
Azhur is a young variety that was bred to replace some European varieties of potatoes. It is rapidly gaining popularity among gardeners, as it has an attractive appearance and excellent taste. And the result of the work can be assessed already in July.
Origin story
Potato Openwork was bred by Russian breeders. The originator of this variety is the agricultural company Sedek. In 2017, a new variety was added to the state register of the Russian Federation. Gardeners began to actively propagate and sell it.
Openwork is recommended for cultivation in the Central region of Russia. This includes Moscow, Ivanovo, Vladimir, Ryazan, Kaluga, Bryansk and other regions. In the southern parts of the country, potatoes can be harvested twice per season.
Description
Openwork – mid-early, table varietywhich brings a good harvest. From the moment the shoots emerge until the potatoes are fully ripened 75-85 days pass. But you can start digging it 20-25 days earlier.
The plant forms a spreading, vigorous bush that can reach up to 45-55 cm in height. Large, dark green leaves grow unevenly on it. They have a wrinkled structure and a slightly wavy edge. At the top of the bush there are inflorescences of large, light lilac flowers.
Azhur tubers are medium in size and oval in shape. The thick peel is colored dark pink color. The surface of the potato is smooth, the eyes are small and shallow. The pulp contains a large amount of carotene, so it has a straw color. The taste is rich, with a pronounced aroma.
The mass of tubers is in the range of 100-120 grams. One bush can produce 8-15 root crops. On average, gardeners receive 45-50 tons of harvest from one hectare. Small potatoes are rare; almost all potatoes are the same size.
Potatoes of this variety are characterized high starch content (about 14-16%), therefore it is widely used in cooking. Ideal for frying, preparing salads and soups.
Advantages and disadvantages
Potatoes of this variety are very young, but promising. Openwork is characterized by a number of advantages:
- Early maturation. Potatoes for food are dug up at the end of June - the first half of July.
- Excellent presentation and taste. Suitable for sale.
- High yield.
- The keeping quality of root crops is 95%. If favorable conditions are created, potatoes of this variety can be stored for a long time without spoiling.
- It tolerates drought well and does not require frequent watering.
- Unpretentious to soil composition.
- It is not affected by potato cancer and scab, and has average resistance to late blight.
The disadvantages of the Azhur potato include it susceptibility to golden nematode. Plantings are often attacked by Colorado potato beetles, wireworms and moths. To prevent diseases, it is recommended to treat bushes with special preparations. Young tubers are subject to mechanical damage, as they have thin and delicate skin.
Landing
Potato variety Azhur planted in April-May, when the earth warms up to +12 degrees. It is not advisable to delay the landing. High or low air temperature has a negative effect on tuber germination. Potatoes are planted on a flat, well-lit area. The best crop predecessors are winter crops and legumes. Planting potatoes of the Azhur variety should not be located next to tomatoes and apple trees.
In autumn, humus or peat is added to the site at the rate of 1 bucket per 1 m2. Mineral fertilizers are also added: superphosphate, potassium sulfate and wood ash. After applying fertilizers, the soil is disinfected, dug up and removed. weeds. There is no need to break the lumps. In spring, the ground is loosened and leveled with a rake. The procedure facilitates access of water and air to the roots of the plant.
15 days before planting, Azhur potatoes begin to germinate. Tubers are sorted and diseased and damaged ones are discarded. They are then cleaned and washed, as bacteria may remain in the soil. The selected seed material is disinfected in a solution of boric acid (1 tablespoon of powder per bucket of water). To activate growth processes, tubers are sprayed with a solution of potassium permanganate (2 g per 10 liters of water) or infusion of ash (2 cups per 4 liters of water). The potatoes are dried and put in a bright place. The air temperature in the room should be from +12 to +16 degrees.
Azhur tubers are planted in holes or grooves to a depth of 5-10 cm. The interval between bushes should be about 25 cm, and between rows - 55-60 cm. If fertilizers were not applied during autumn digging, they must be poured separately into each hole. This potato variety loves potash fertilizers.
Care
Potatoes of the Azhur variety are unpretentious, so it is enough to provide them with minimal care. It includes hilling, watering, loosening and weed removal.
Watering and loosening
Despite the fact that this variety tolerates a lack of moisture well, in dry and hot summers watering will only be beneficial. Irrigation is carried out during the period when the sun is least active - in the early morning or late evening. On average 1 m2 about 45-50 liters of water are required. Typically, the crop is irrigated once every 10-14 days, and during drought every 4-5 days. If there is sufficient rainfall, it is possible limit yourself to three waterings per season.
A few days after irrigation, the soil must be loosened, otherwise a crust will form on the surface of the earth. Gardeners also recommend mulching between rows. The procedure will help retain moisture and prevent the appearance of weeds.
Hilling
Potatoes of the Azhur variety require at least two hillings with an interval of 21 days. In some cases, the number of procedures can increase up to four times. The work is carried out in cloudy weather, the soil must be moist.
The bushes begin to earth up when they grow to 8-12 cm. Repeated earthing up is carried out when the shoots reach 25 cm in height. But before the planting procedure, they are cleared of weeds.
Top dressing
The Azhur variety has a positive attitude towards fertilization. In order to achieve the desired effect, Potatoes need to be fed at every stage of their ripening. After germination, organic matter is added to the soil.Manure or bird droppings are diluted in water in a ratio of 1:15 and infused for two days.
Before flowering, potatoes are fertilized with a solution of 1 tbsp. l. potassium sulfate, 3 tbsp. l. wood ash and 10 liters of water. Some gardeners prefer to spray the bushes with a urea solution (300 g per 10 liters of water).
During the flowering period, the soil can be Apply both mineral and organic fertilizers. You can use the following composition: two tablespoons of superphosphate, a bucket of water and mullein.
Diseases and pests
The Azhur variety is resistant to potato cancer and scab. But it can be affected by golden nematode and late blight.
The photo shows a potato affected by the golden nematode.
Let's look at the most common diseases of Azhur potatoes in the table:
Disease | Signs | Control measures |
Golden nematode | The bushes turn yellow and lag behind in development. The foliage dries and curls. Many adventitious roots are formed. The tubers are small. | The infected plant is dug up along with a lump of earth and destroyed. Planting potatoes is alternated with rye, beans, marigolds and calendula. In case of severe damage, chemicals are used - thionazine. |
Late blight | The appearance of brown spots on leaves and stems. At high humidity, a white coating forms. Depressed spots are found on Azhur potato tubers. | Chemical preparations used include Quadris, Ridomil Gold or Bordeaux mixture. From biological ones - Trichodermin or Fitosporin. The plant is sprayed according to the instructions. |
Alternaria blight | Dry, brown spots appear on leaves and stems. The tubers are covered with large depressed spots. | Before planting, the tubers are sprayed with Integral or Bactofide. During the growing season, the following drugs are used: Profit, Abiga-Pik, Thanos, Novozri and Metamil. |
Among the pests, Azhur potato bushes are usually affected by Colorado potato beetles, wireworms, mole crickets and moths. The most effective drugs against them are Aktara, Prestige, Corado and Regent.
Harvesting
Early potatoes for food are dug up at the end of June - the first half of July. During this period, the bushes fade and the foliage withers. The ripened crop is harvested in August. Potatoes are fully ripe when the tops wither. When harvesting, carefully dig up the bush with a pitchfork and pull it out by the tops.
Before storage, the tubers are sorted out, rotten and diseased ones are thrown away. Then potatoes put in a cellar or in a special hole, lined with boards. The air temperature should be from +2 to +4. If it is higher, the tubers will sprout. Potatoes of the Azhur variety can be stored for a long time.
Conclusion
Azhur is a young potato variety that is easy and unpretentious to grow. Gives a good harvest on any soil. Excellent for both private gardeners and mass production. The tubers have an attractive appearance, and the taste and aroma of potatoes will not leave anyone indifferent.
Reviews about the variety
They planted it in early May, today is July 2, the tops are huge, blooming, I dug up one bush, the roots are the size of a pigeon egg, if a potato grows for 90 days, it has 1 month left to grow, it is unlikely that it will grow to a normal size... we bought seeds for testing, very disappointed...