Content
Potatoes "Vector" are a table variety with good consumer qualities. Due to its adaptability to soil and climate, the species is suitable for cultivation in areas of the middle zone and the North-West region. In addition to universal use, it has a lot of useful qualities, which will be discussed in the article. To complete the description, photos of the “Vector” variety of potatoes and reviews of those who grew them will be used.
Description of the variety
Getting acquainted with the Vector potato variety should begin with a description of the characteristics of the vegetable and reviews from gardeners. This is the most significant information for those who want to plant a variety on their site. The consumer qualities of Vector potatoes are quite high, so its cultivation is very profitable.
Potatoes "Vector" are varieties of Belarusian selection. It is distinguished by good disease resistance and the ability to bear fruit in regions with different climates and soil composition. According to the description, sod-podzolic and swamp-peat soil is best suited for planting Vector potatoes, but on other soils the variety also gives a good harvest. “Vector” was obtained by crossing the species “Zarevo” and “1977-78”.
The description of the Vector potato variety should begin with the parameters of the bush.The plant is medium-sized, semi-erect. The leaves are small, dark green in color, the flowers are purple. There are 10-15 inflorescences on one plant. The variety does not respond well to thickening. Despite the average size of the bush, you should strictly follow the pattern when planting Vector potatoes.
In terms of ripening time, the “Vector” potato variety is classified as medium-late. Tuber formation ends 85-110 days after planting.
Productivity is an important characteristic when describing Vector potatoes. Up to 14-15 high-quality tubers are formed on one plant. The average yield in the fields is 45 t/ha, and under favorable conditions it increases to 70 t/ha.
The tubers are medium in size, pink in color, oval in shape. The weight of one is 120 g. The eyes on root vegetables are shallow, in small quantities. The peel is brown, dense.
The taste qualities of Vector potatoes are highly valued. According to a five-point system, they are rated at 4.6 points. The pulp of the tubers is hard, but has good juiciness and does not darken during heat treatment. This allows the table variety to be used for various culinary purposes. Despite the fact that Vector potatoes get a little mushy when cooked, the tubers are excellent for making chips.
The next worthy characteristic is that Vector potatoes store well. Waste during the winter is no more than 5%.
The variety exhibits high resistance to late blight, viral infections, common scab, Alternaria, and the causative agent of cancer. However, it can suffer from striped and wrinkled mosaics and leaf curling. Among the pests, the most dangerous is the golden cyst nematode.
Advantages and disadvantages
It is better to group the main characteristics of the Vector potato variety using a table. This will increase visibility and make it easier to perceive information.
Advantages | Flaws |
High yield | Late ripening |
Heat and drought resistance | High percentage of starch content in tubers |
Great taste | Average boilability during cooking |
Versatility of use |
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High level of keeping quality and transportability. |
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Resistance to a number of diseases |
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High degree of adaptability to soil composition and growing conditions |
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Suitability for mechanical cleaning and recycling |
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The list of advantages of the variety is much larger than the list of disadvantages, which is why the “Vector” potato variety is very popular among vegetable lovers. To get a high-quality harvest in large volumes, you need to plant correctly.
Planting a variety
Proper planting of Vector potatoes includes several stages. Each has its own nuances and subtleties. The final result – the yield – depends on the thoroughness of each step. The most important are:
- Selecting planting material and preparing it for planting.
- Landing dates.
- Soil preparation.
- Planting “Vector” potatoes on the site.
Let's look at each stage in more detail.
Selection and preparation of planting material
The most crucial moment. The further development of the potato bush depends on the health, quality and even size of the planting tubers. Vector potatoes for planting are selected according to several criteria - size, appearance and shape. It is best to plant tubers of the same size. It is optimal to choose potatoes that are not too small or large. According to reviews, the best results are obtained when planting tubers the size of chicken eggs.An even shape of the seeds, without sharp bends or creases, is welcome. Each specimen should not show signs of pest or disease damage. In the description of the “Vector” variety of potatoes and reviews, it is noted that the tubers have a small number of eyes. But for propagation, it is good to leave potatoes with the largest number of buds.
The photo shows an example of high-quality seed material:
This technique will significantly reduce germination.
There is one more nuance. When the “Vector” variety is purchased only for propagation, all available tubers are used.
To speed up the process of seed germination, pre-sowing preparation is carried out for tubers. The main stage is germination. Vector potatoes are placed in boxes or on another flat, dry surface in one layer. After 7-10 days, sprouts will appear on them. Vector seeds germinate even faster if you place them in damp sawdust, periodically watering them with water. 2-3 days before immersion in the ground, the Vector tubers are warmed up in the sun.
Landing dates
According to the description of the variety and reviews from gardeners, it is best to plant Vector potatoes in May. At the beginning or middle of the month - this date is chosen depending on weather conditions and the characteristics of the growing region. It is important to take into account that the soil temperature before planting should be at least 10°C at a depth of 10 cm. Before the planned planting time, the tubers and the site should already be prepared. We have already described how planting material is prepared; now we will focus on preparing the site for Vector potatoes.
Soil preparation
A site is selected with good lighting and moisture permeability of the soil. If the water stagnates, the crop will simply rot.
Potato variety "Vector" is an unpretentious species. But if you properly prepare the site, the yield increases significantly. It should be remembered that the variety prefers loamy soils with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction. Grows well on black soil and sandy loam. To improve conditions for plant development, the site is prepared in the fall. When digging, add organic fertilizers per 1 square meter. m of area in the following quantities:
- 3-4 kg of humus;
- 100 g wood ash.
At the time of planting, the following is additionally added to each hole:
- double superphosphate – 15 g;
- potassium sulfate – 12 g;
- urea – 10 g.
Planting process
The area is cleared of plant debris, weed and mark out the ridges. Dig holes according to the markings. The depth of the planting hole directly depends on the composition of the soil. On clayey soil it is 5 cm, on sandy soil it is 10 cm.
The distance between the bushes is maintained in the range of 35-40 cm. The row spacing is about 70 cm. Vector tubers are placed in the holes with their sprouts up.
Cover with soil and level the ground with a rake.
Bush care
In the first 2-3 weeks, it is very important to provide the potatoes with conditions for the growth of the above-ground parts. Therefore, the soil is weeded, carefully loosened and moistened. Before the flowers appear, the crop does not need regular watering, but after flowering begins, it is given enough attention.
The “Vector” variety is drought-resistant, but it is not worth creating extreme conditions for the bushes. It is better to moisten the plantings as needed. Calculate the total volume of water according to the needs of one plant. One bush needs to consume 2 - 2.5 liters of water. During the growing season, the “Vector” variety needs to be provided with 4 full waterings.
Feeding. Nutrition must be added after the first hilling. You will need to dilute 1 tbsp. spoon of urea in a 10-liter bucket and water each Vector bush with a solution in a volume of 0.5 liters. Fertilizing is applied after loosening. If potatoes are grown on fertilized soil, then you will not need to feed them often. With average soil nutrition, the feeding scheme looks like this:
Stage | Deadlines | Dosage |
№1 | Before flowering | 1 tbsp. spoon of urea per bucket (10 l) of water |
№2 | At the moment of budding | For a bucket of water 1 tbsp. spoon of potassium sulfate |
№3 | During the potato flowering period | For 10 liters of water 1 tbsp. spoon of double superphosphate |
Pests and diseases
When growing Vector potatoes, you need to take measures against the appearance of fungal infections - Alternaria, late blight of leaves and common scab. “Vector” is not completely resistant to these diseases.
To help avoid illness:
- careful seed selection;
- compliance with the planting scheme so as not to thicken the plants;
- compliance with crop rotation on the ridges;
- preventive spraying against fungal diseases.
The most famous potato pest is the Colorado potato beetle. It has to be fought with insecticides and collecting beetles by hand. But parasites such as wireworms, slugs or mole crickets can cause no less damage to the crop. Traps are prepared against them and insecticides are also used, following the instructions of the drug.
Harvest storage
Potatoes of the “Vector” variety are famous for their keeping quality. But so that he does not lose this characteristic, preparatory measures are taken:
- dry the dug tubers on a dry, flat surface;
- carefully stack the potatoes, first selecting the highest quality ones.
The room is prepared in advance, providing the potatoes with the necessary temperature, storage humidity and the possibility of ventilation.
