Every year new varieties of vegetable crops appear, which are superior in quality to their “parents”. Thus, quite recently, Ukrainian breeders from the Kirovograd Institute of Agro-Industrial Production of the Ukrainian Academy of Agricultural Sciences developed the Slavyanka potato. Having passed all the tests, the variety began to be cultivated in the regions of Ukraine. Having proven itself from the best side, the culture entered Russia in 2009. From that moment on, Slavyanka began a victorious march through all corners of our country. What is the glory of this variety, we will tell you today in this article.
Description of the variety
According to the originators, the Slavyanka variety belongs to mid-season crops. The growing season from planting to harvest is 100–120 days. Potatoes are quite productive. On average from 100 sq. m yields 300 kg of root vegetables. If you follow the rules of agricultural technology, this figure increases to 400 kg. At the same time, about 13 large tubers are formed in one bush, with a small amount of fines.
It is worth paying attention: A distinctive feature of the Slavyanka variety from similar crops is that all its marketable fruits with a rich taste retain their quality until next year.
Detailed description of the variety:
- bushes - 50 cm high;
- stems are very spreading;
- foliage - wavy, small in size, dark green;
- the shape of the tubers is oval-elongated;
- the skin is thin, smooth, pink-violet in color;
- eyes - small, superficial;
- pulp - creamy;
- the weight of one tuber is 100–180 g;
- value - high content of water-soluble vitamins, proteins, pectin, amino acids.
According to its purpose, the Slavyanka variety is classified as a table crop. Potatoes are well used in preparing soups, main courses and baked goods. At the same time, all dishes turn out tasty and satisfying.
Growing
The Slavyanka variety is a low-demanding crop. It adapts well to any climatic conditions, types of soil and lighting. Without due care potatoes gives good yield indicators. Due to these qualities, Slavyanka is ideal for lazy or novice gardeners.
However, in order to get record yields, experienced gardeners advise following the following growing rules:
- Potatoes are planted only in heated soil. The optimal temperature is considered to be +10-+12 degrees.
- Before planting, the soil is carefully dug up and cleared of weeds. The planting material is germinated and treated with special preparations.
- In the prepared soil, taking into account a distance of 35 cm in the row and 75 cm in the row spacing, holes with a depth of 10-15 cm are formed.
- First, humus with wood ash is laid out in the recesses, one handful at a time, and then the seed is placed.
At the end of planting potatoes, the holes are buried with earth. For uniform germination of tubers, it is recommended to water the area using the air-drop method.
Features of care
The characteristics of the Slavyanka variety indicate that with a minimum of effort in agricultural technology, the plant grows well almost throughout the entire territory of Russia. But in order to improve the quality of yield, the crop will need to create favorable conditions at different phases of development.
Basic care for potatoes consists of watering, mulching, weeding, hilling and spraying against pests.
General recommendations for carrying out agricultural practices:
- Watering the soil. Slavyanka, compared to similar tuberous plants, has the least need for moisture. It is enough to irrigate the soil before sprouting, during budding and during flowering of the crop.
- Mulching the soil. During a period of long drought, it is recommended to spread a protective layer of rotted grass, leaves or pine needles between the potato bushes.
- Weeding the area. The best option for removing weeds is considered to be the manual method. If you use a dry one, the result of weeding will decrease several times. This is justified by the fact that the root system of cut plants produces new shoots.
- Hilling up bushes. This technique will increase the volume of loose soil for the development and growth of tubers. As a rule, hilling of plants is carried out before the tops close.
- Spraying potatoes. To avoid deformation of bushes from pests and diseases, at the first sign of them, gardeners recommend immediately using pesticides.
When growing potatoes, do not forget about fertilizing. Organic fertilizers together with mineral complexes will have a beneficial effect not only on the development of the plant, but also on the formation of tubers.
Advantages and disadvantages
As mentioned above, the Slavyanka variety is loved by gardeners not only in their homeland, but also in Russia. Among the main advantages of potatoes, summer residents highlight:
- friendly fruiting;
- high yield rates;
- taste and commercial qualities of root crops;
- unpretentiousness to weather conditions;
- long shelf life;
- versatility;
- simple agricultural technology;
- good immunity to major tuber diseases.
Oddly enough, among such a large number of advantages, the Slavyanka variety has no significant disadvantages. The only thing worth paying attention to is that potato tubers are not resistant to mechanical damage. Therefore, when digging the crop you need to be extremely careful..
Pests and diseases
The Slavyanka potato variety is endowed with good resistance to diseases such as:
- cancer;
- Alternaria blight;
- scab;
- wrinkled mosaic;
- powdery mildew.
Potatoes only need special protection from diseases such as late blight and bacterial wilt. As a rule, these diseases develop if the crop is grown for several years in a row in the same area. Therefore, in order to prevent the occurrence of diseases, it is advisable to change the place for planting the variety every 2 years.
Among the pests that cause damage to the plant are the Colorado potato beetle and potato flea beetle.If these insects are detected, gardeners recommend using folk remedies. In case of severe invasion, it is necessary to use chemicals such as ImidorPro, Previkur Energy, Inta-Vir.
Harvest and storage
You can understand when you can start harvesting Slavyanka potatoes by looking at the condition of their tops and the skin of the tubers. When the bushes of the plant begin to fade, it is recommended to dig up one bush. If the skin of the tubers has become stronger, proceed to mass digging.
After the harvest is harvested, it is first given time to dry in the sun. After this, it is removed from rot and sorted into planting and feed material. The potatoes are then sent for further storage.
Currently, gardeners use different methods potato storage. These could be subfloors, basements or cellars. The Slavyanka variety can be stored in any of the above options. The main thing is to follow a few rules:
- The harvest storage room must be clean, disinfected and ventilated.
- Recommended air temperature +1-+3 degrees.
- Room humidity is not lower than 80% and not higher than 95%.
You can store potatoes in bags, boxes, or specially organized compartments.
So, having examined all the advantages, characteristics and description of the Slavyanka variety, every gardener can see for himself how unique this crop is. Experienced summer residents guarantee that if you choose these potatoes for your plot, you will not regret it.
