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Today, almost three hundred varieties of potatoes are grown in Russia. All varieties have their strengths and minor disadvantages. The farmer’s main task is to choose the right potato variety for his plot, taking into account the characteristics of the soil, temperature conditions, and principles of agricultural technology. This is the only way to guarantee a decent result - a high yield of tasty and beautiful potatoes.
Yield potato varieties
Of course, any gardener is, first of all, interested in the quantity and quality of the harvest that he will receive from his plot. That's why, When choosing planting material, preference in autumn is often given to productive potato varieties. These are considered varieties that produce more than 300 centners of root crops With every hectare of land.
Growing in large quantities is necessary either for sale or for long-term storage. Therefore, potatoes should be beautiful, shelf-stable, and transportable.
There are varieties whose root weight reaches three kilograms!
The most productive potato varieties suitable for the temperate climate of central Russia: Idaho, Bela Rosa, Rosara. Descriptions of each can be found below.
"Idaho"
Potato variety, which is considered early ripening because it ripens in a very short time. These potatoes do not have the disadvantage of all early-ripening varieties; they cannot be called watery and tasteless. Idaho root vegetables are very nutritious, containing large amounts of carbohydrates and starch.
America is considered the homeland of the variety; it is there that the traditional dish of the same name is prepared from these potatoes. The vegetable has taken root well in Russia; the local climate and soil suit it.
Potatoes have a round shape and are almost the same size. The color of the root vegetables is beige, the pulp is well-cooked, has a pleasant taste and aroma. Due to their ideal shape and smooth skin, root vegetables are often grown for sale. This is also facilitated by high yields - about 600 centners per hectare of fields.
"Bela Rosa"
These potatoes ripen within fifty days after planting. The plant is not afraid of viruses and can withstand drought and slight cold snaps. The soil composition and soil acidity are not too important for the variety.
But Bela Rosa will not produce a good harvest on depleted land. Therefore, potatoes need to be regularly fertilized with organic fertilizers, and it is better to plant them in the place where peas, beans or other legumes grew last season.
The bushes need to be watered three times per season: two waterings should be done before the bushes bloom, and the last one should be done after the potatoes have flowered.
The tubers are round or oval in shape, pinkish in color, and the skin of the root vegetables is slightly rough. The average weight of potatoes is about 500 grams. The taste qualities are high: the tubers boil well, have a pleasant, slightly sweet taste, and contain a large amount of carbohydrates.
The Bela Rosa variety is grown not only in central Russia, but also in Belarus. In the southern regions, thanks to the early ripening of potatoes, the crop can be harvested even twice a season.
The yield of the variety is high - from 350 to 400 centners per hectare.
Review of Bela Rosa potatoes
"Rosara"
These potatoes were selected by German farmers, and from there they came to Russia. Potatoes are considered mid-season - root crops are ready for harvesting 65-75 days after the appearance of the first shoots.
This variety is perfect for growing vegetables for sale. Potatoes have an ideal shape and small size. The average weight of root crops does not exceed 150 grams. The shade of the peel is very memorable: from bright red to brown.
The yield of this potato depends entirely on watering. Apart from regular and abundant irrigation, Rosary bushes, in principle, do not need anything else: the variety is protected from most diseases, is not picky about the composition of the soil and does not need regular fertilization.
If you water potato bushes abundantly and often, under each of them you can find up to 30 root crops. The total yield in this case will be 400 centners per hectare.
The taste quality is good, the potatoes are aromatic, with a pleasant aftertaste, and boil well.
Therefore, bushes need to be treated with insecticides several times a season and adult beetles and larvae collected. Leaves damaged by beetles lead to a deterioration in photosynthesis, which will certainly affect the yield and quality of root crops.
Characteristics and description of the most delicious potato varieties
Yield is not so important for those who grow potatoes for their own needs. And in order to enjoy fresh young tubers, you need to choose the most delicious variety. These can be considered potatoes with a high content of starch and carbohydrates, which boil quickly, do not produce lumps or dark spots, and have a strong aroma.
Such potatoes, as a rule, are not only the most delicious, but also nutritious and healthy.
"Picasso"
This potato variety is very capricious: it does not like drought, is demanding on the composition of the soil and the amount of fertilizer, is easily infected with viruses, is susceptible to fungal diseases, and is “loved” by Colorado beetles and wireworms.
But! These potatoes can rightfully be called the most delicious. The tubers have a smooth, slightly elongated shape, are colored beige, and the eyes have a pink tint. The skin of the root vegetable is so thin that it can be brushed off without having to peel it.
The potatoes take just 15 minutes to cook and are tender and smooth.
The yield of the variety is low - only 200 centners of vegetables can be harvested from a hectare of land. But this is more than compensated by the taste of the fruit.
The tubers will begin to deteriorate within two months after digging. To slightly increase the shelf life of the crop, you can put several apples in boxes with potatoes; they will stop the rotting process and prevent sprouts from appearing on the root crops.
"Tuleevsky"
The variety, developed by Russian breeders, combines excellent taste and fairly high yield - more than 300 centners per hectare.
This potato also has a number of disadvantages:
- bushes are afraid of frost;
- potatoes do not tolerate drought very well and need regular watering;
- tubers cannot be stored for a long time - Tuleevsky potatoes will last a maximum of 1.5 months after harvesting;
- If stored improperly, the tubers wither and turn black even faster.
But the taste characteristics eliminate all the disadvantages listed above. The potatoes are boiled, without lumps, very nutritious and filling, with a good aroma, and have a thin skin.Indeed, this is one of the most delicious varieties. In addition, “Tuleevsky” is zoned for Russia and the local climate.
"Dauphine"
The variety was selected in Holland and subsequently acclimatized to the characteristics of central Russia. This is probably the most famous variety among local summer residents and gardeners, because this potato combines all the best qualities:
- average yield - about 250 centners per hectare;
- excellent taste characteristics;
- unpretentiousness and good resistance to diseases;
- excellent shelf life - for 7-9 months, root vegetables are able to retain not only their appearance, but also their nutritional value;
- large size of root crops - average weight is 300 grams;
- More than 20 potatoes can ripen in one bush.
The only thing this potato variety needs is regular and abundant watering.
"Share"
This variety is most often chosen specifically for individual plots, although potatoes can also be grown on an industrial scale. Productivity is above average - more than 400 centners per hectare. And the taste characteristics meet the highest requirements.
The bushes of this potato are powerful and tall, they are not often damaged by the Colorado potato beetle, and potatoes are also rarely sick. But it is necessary to water and fertilize the bushes of the “Pai” variety regularly.
The potatoes are large - about 400 grams, beige in color and round in shape. Each bush can ripen about 15 root crops.
The best varieties for the middle zone
Potato varieties for central Russia, as a rule, are selected for the entire country, and are also suitable for Belarus and most of Ukraine. This is the potato that:
- grows on chernozem soils;
- not afraid of rain;
- tolerates drought well;
- can withstand short-term frosts;
- gives good yields;
- can be stored over the winter;
- not afraid of fungal diseases and infections.
Reviews from gardeners and summer residents in central Russia helped determine the most popular potato varieties here - their photos and descriptions are presented below.
"Nevsky"
Depending on the timing of ripening, several varieties of this variety are distinguished. The tubers have a regular elongated shape and are colored pink. The yield of the variety is high - about 300 centners per hectare.
The potatoes taste good, have a thin skin, and boil quickly. The variety can be stored until spring; it has excellent shelf life.
But these potatoes need frequent watering and organic fertilizing.
"Latona"
A productive variety with early ripening. Potatoes are rarely exposed to diseases and viruses, but often become the “prey” of the Colorado potato beetle. The variety needs organic fertilizers, regular watering, and careful care.
“Latona” is stored remarkably well: it does not wither, does not darken, and does not sprout (if the sun’s rays do not penetrate into the storage). It is recommended to sort through the potatoes a couple of times a season to remove spoiled tubers and prevent the spread of rot.
"Red Scarlett"
One of the most widespread and well-established varieties of Dutch selection in Russia.
The roots have a regular shape and are colored reddish.The peel is so thin that the tubers do not need to be peeled, but simply washed with a brush before cooking.
Taste qualities are high, potatoes keep well and transported. In each hole you can find up to twenty potatoes. At the same time, the variety is not afraid of drought and frost. However, potatoes need three to four times very abundant watering.
Review of Red Scarlett potatoes
"Gala"
One of the early ripening varieties of potatoes, root crops ripen on the 70th day after the first shoots emerge from the ground. It is very easy to distinguish the Gala bushes - they have bright green leaves.
If you water the potatoes well and apply fertilizer several times during the season, you can get a fairly high yield - about 25 potatoes will ripen in each bush. The variety tolerates drought well, resists various diseases and is not of great interest to insect pests.
"Luck"
Potatoes are the fruit of the labor of Russian breeders; they are perfectly adapted to the local climate and are not picky about the composition of the soil.
The taste characteristics are good, the aroma is pleasant, the pulp is boiled and snow-white.
The bushes bloom in large inflorescences, are well branched, and are distinguished by their tall growth. The tubers themselves are also large, round, and beautiful. The yield of the variety is high, the potato is resistant to high and low temperatures.
"Adretta"
A variety of German selection, characterized by good yield and excellent taste. Potatoes are classified as mid-season varieties (ripen by the 80th day after emergence) and are zoned for central Russia.
Potatoes are oval, beige in color, with slightly flaky skin. Plants are resistant to viruses and cope well with temperature changes and difficult climatic conditions.
In each hole, with proper care, you can find up to ten root vegetables. Potatoes are perfect for long-term storage in cellars and basements.
Results
Almost all modern potato varieties have excellent taste, and with proper care they produce equally high yields. It is necessary to choose a variety based on personal needs, taking into account the ability of tubers for long-term storage, the size of potatoes or the level of starch and carbohydrates in the fruits (that is, the boilability and nutritional value of root crops).
