Various potato varieties developed in Belarus are grown throughout Russia. They are used for private farming purposes. To accommodate the varying needs of gardeners, there are early, mid-season, and late-ripening varieties. The following brief descriptions and photos will help you choose the right one.
Description and characteristics of varieties
Potatoes bred by Belarusian breeders are cultivated in Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, and neighboring countries. The primary purpose of cultivation is agricultural. The vegetables are sold, exported, processed into semi-finished products, used for animal feed, and stored for the winter.
The vegetable is classified by maturity: early, mid-season, and late. Climate conditions are taken into account depending on the region where the vegetable is planned for planting. Most varieties tolerate drought and spring frosts well. Belarusian potatoes are popular among gardeners due to their high yield.
Advantages of Belarusian varieties
Consumers and gardeners highlight a number of advantages of potatoes bred by Belarusian breeders.
The advantages are as follows:
- high level of productivity;
- attractive external (marketable) appearance;
- smooth edges, clear shape;
- pleasant taste and aroma;
- there is immunity against diseases.
It's especially worth noting that potatoes easily tolerate light spring night frosts, as well as periods of summer drought. They're easy to care for and don't require frequent pest control.
The best varieties
All varieties from Belarusian breeders possess the advantages described above. However, gardeners have also identified a list of the best varieties for growing for personal and agricultural purposes.
These include:
- Aksamit.
- Dolphin.
- Scrub.
- Oak grove.
- Volat.
- Lightning.
- Rogneda.
If the goal is to harvest quickly, then ultra-early varieties are preferable. They allow gardeners to harvest potatoes twice during the season. Ultra-early vegetables are not suitable for long-term storage. To maintain their marketable appearance, they should be stored in a cool room, at a temperature of 1-3°C.
Early ripening varieties
Feature of the early potato varieties of Belarusian selection The advantage of early-ripening potatoes is their rapid maturation. The gardener will reap the first harvest within 2-2.5 months after planting. If planted in warmer regions, two harvests can be achieved within a season. A disadvantage of early varieties is that the tubers do not store well; they are not recommended for winter storage.
Dolphin
An early-ripening potato that stands out from similar varieties due to its strong resistance to diseases. The fruits are oblong and oval. The skin is light brown, and the flesh has a slight yellow tint. This variety has a high yield. 15-20 tubers can be harvested from a single plant. Dolphin is best grown in arid regions because it retains moisture for a long time.
Uladar
This variety is popular among people who have their own gardens where they grow their own vegetables. The potatoes remain almost completely soft during cooking, retaining their original shape. An average plant yields 10-14 tubers. The potatoes are medium-sized, with a light-brown skin and firm flesh.
Lapis lazuli
A Belarusian potato variety with a medium yield. A single plant yields up to 15 tubers. The potatoes have a light-brown skin and yellowish flesh. Due to their moderate starch content, this variety is not suitable for frying or stewing. Because they cook well, they are popular for mashed potatoes and soups.
Aksamit
A medium-yielding potato. With proper care, a gardener will get no more than 15 tubers from a single plant. This vegetable is characterized by a low starch content. In cooking, it is used for first and second courses. It cooks moderately, has a good flavor and aroma. The potato is oblong in shape, has a light brown skin, and the flesh has a yellow tint when cut.
Mid-season
Potato varieties with a mid-season ripening period are equally popular with gardeners. After planting, the harvest typically takes 3-3.5 months. In warmer regions, the ripening period is no more than 90 days.
When choosing mid-season varieties, preference should be given to Dubrava, Krinitsa, and Volat. However, it's important to consider your own preferences. Regardless of the potato variety, you can always count on a high yield.
Oak grove
A Belarusian potato variety distinguished by its increased resistance to various diseases. Another advantage is its excellent shelf life (over 97%). The potato is medium-sized, round, and slightly oblong in shape. The skin is light yellow, and small eyes are located on the surface. The interior is creamy. The starch content is 15%.
Krinitsa
The potatoes are medium-sized, with 5-10 tubers harvested from a single plant, making this variety considered medium-yielding. A 1-hectare plot can yield 49 tons of potatoes. The roots are suitable for long-term storage.
The vegetable is round, with brownish skin and light-colored flesh, and eyes present on the surface. Experienced gardeners note that a significant drawback of this variety is its low resistance to late blight.
Volat
A recently developed variety, it has earned the trust of both novice and experienced gardeners due to its ability to grow in a variety of regions and produce a high yield. A single plant can yield up to 15 tubers.
This vegetable is suitable for long-term storage and retains its qualities during transportation. Cooked potatoes have a rich flavor and distinct aroma. The starch content does not exceed 20%.
Lasunok
This potato variety has a good taste and rich aroma. Lasunok Breeders have identified this variety as a high-yielding variety. It is used for preparing first and second courses. The potato is suitable for long-term storage and transportation.
It has a high immunity and resistance to late blight. On average, 10-12 tubers are harvested from one bush, but under favorable conditions (watering, fertilization, climate) 15-17 are harvested. The ripening period is 3-4 months.
Crane
Gardeners can harvest the potato crop three months after planting the seeds. One hectare yields an average of 400-600 centners of potatoes. The potato is medium-sized, with 15-20 tubers per plant. They transport well, with a 96% survival rate.
Breeders note that the Zhuravushka variety is disease-resistant, able to withstand golden nematode, late blight, and rhizoctonia. The tubers are round and oval, with a smooth surface and a distinctive mesh pattern on the skin. They have a small number of eyes, and the largest tubers weigh 300 grams.
You may be interested in:Yanka
This variety has been listed in the Russian state register since 2012, making it a relatively new species. It is best grown in central and northwestern Russia. It is suitable for both industrial and home-grown potato growing. The harvest can be stored over the winter. The fruits are also resistant to transportation.
A table potato variety suitable for planting. The ripening period after planting is approximately three months. The average root weight is 80-110 g. A single plant produces 8-12 tubers. Starch content is no more than 16%.
Late species
Late-ripening potato varieties are especially popular among gardeners with small plots of land. This is due to two important factors: they have excellent flavor and are suitable for long-term storage. The ripening period ranges from 110 to 135 days. When growing potatoes, proper agricultural practices and timely watering are essential. Under these conditions, a high yield can be achieved.
Vesnyanka
A table potato variety with round, slightly oblong fruits. Vesnyanka can be grown in gardens with various soil types. The maturation period from seeding is 4 months. The starch content ranges from 15-18%. Nine to 12 tubers are harvested from one plant. In cooking, it is suitable for first and second courses. Vesnyanka is used for starch production.
Rogneda
This variety is characterized by tall bushes. Most of the vegetables are large, with light brown skin. The flavor is excellent, and the flesh is yellow and firm. French fries are made from this vegetable. A unique feature of this variety is that the tubers can be dug up unripe, without losing their shelf life.
Lightning
The full maturity period is four months. This variety is suitable for growing in central Russia. The bushes do not exceed 60 cm in height, and the roots have a red tint. The average potato weight is 120 grams, and up to 15 tubers can be harvested from a single hole. Zarnitsa can be planted in any type of soil.
The variety tolerates drought well but has low immunity to late blight and other fungal diseases. It is also resistant to blackleg, scab, nematodes, and potato cancer.
Criteria for choosing potatoes
Every gardener should carefully select the potato variety to grow. Before purchasing seeds, consider the regional climate and determine the soil composition of the plot. Next, consider the purpose of cultivation. Yield is an important criterion, as it varies depending on the variety.
When choosing seeds, the determining factor is the intended purpose. This can be for table (eating) and long-term storage, or for industrial use (for the production of starch, processed foods, etc.). Varieties with a high starch content are considered universal.
Planting and care features
Potato planting begins after April 15th and ends in mid-May. If the region is cold or hot, the planting dates can be shifted by 2-3 weeks. Soil temperature should be a guide. At planting time, it should be 6-8 degrees Celsius during the day and night (at a depth of 10 cm).
If sowing seeds in the soil in early April, it is recommended to cover the bed with dark plastic. This will help protect the future harvest from night frosts. Preparing the soil for planting begins in September. The plot must be dug, weeds removed, and mineral-nitrogen fertilizers applied. In the spring, the bed must be turned over.
It's best to plant potatoes in a well-lit area rather than in the shade of trees. Ideally, the soil should be loose and airy to ensure the seeds receive sufficient oxygen. Potatoes are planted in holes 8-10 cm deep, with 1-3 potatoes per hole. Space the holes 30 cm apart, and 50 cm between rows.
For nearly 100 years, the Belarusian Potato Research Institute has been fruitfully engaged in potato breeding. Thanks to this, new potato varieties are regularly developed. Most of these are suitable for planting in Belarus and throughout Russia, are characterized by high yields, excellent flavor, and are suitable for winter storage.
Potato planting dates according to the moon for 2021 in the Moscow region
Potato varieties: names with photos, descriptions, and characteristics
When to dig up potatoes in 2020 according to the moon and how to best store them
List of potato varieties with names, descriptions, and photos