In Belarus, potato cultivation began in the second half of the 18th century. According to historical information, the demand for it grew gradually, and by the beginning of the 19th century, potatoes were widely spread. Sowing areas grew rapidly. By the middle of the XIX century, potatoes became the main means of income of the Belarusian landowners. The product was exported to Russia, Germany, the Baltic countries. Today Belarus occupies an honorable seventh place among the largest suppliers of potatoes in the world market.
The secret of success of Belarusian potatoes
According to experts, the development of potato growing in Belarus can be explained:
- favorable soil and climatic conditions;
- the presence of rich traditions in the field of product cultivation;
- high level of scientific support;
- equipped with technical facilities;
- deep knowledge of agronomists;
- advantageous geographical position conducive to successful marketing of the product.
The work of breeders
New varieties were developed thanks to the Belarusian Research Institute of Potato. They belong to different ripeness groups and have different purposes. In particular, early and mid-early varieties of potato of Belarusian selection were bred in large numbers.
They are very popular among gardeners, as they allow you to get a crop in a short time. It is easier to harvest three potato crops per season than to wait for the late ripening of the most outlandish species.
New varieties of potatoes in Belarus fully meet the requirements of the world standard.
Potato varieties are:
- Early. The duration of growth and vegetation is short. Root crops are planted in early April. Harvested after 2 months. The disadvantage of this type is that the shelf life is short.
- Medium early. They have less whimsicality and are well preserved. The growing season lasts 60-80 days.
- Mid-season. The most common type. Harvested in early August. Duration of vegetation is from 80 to 100 days. These varieties are the most popular, as they are perfectly stored and have excellent taste.
- Mid-late. They are unpretentious. These varieties can tolerate winter storage. Additional germination is not required. Duration of vegetation is from 100 to 120 days.
Belarusian Research Institute of Potato
The institute was opened in 1956. To date, varieties of potatoes in Belarus are bred by its specialists. For the entire existence of the institute, breeders received 100 new varieties. Before embarking on the planting of a new species, it is tested for three years. The year 1970 was a record for scientists, when a quarter of all areas of the former Soviet Union were planted with Belarusian varieties "pace" and "Loshitsky". The last species bred at the institute was called the "manifesto".
Currently, the laboratory has over 100 thousand new product samples. Selection tests will be carried out for 12 years, after which they will choose the best variety. According to this scheme, selection in Belarus has been carried out since 1927.
Over the past 20 years, climatic conditions have changed in Belarus. Earlier planting of potatoes began on May 5. Now they are starting it 2 weeks earlier. Therefore, there is a need to create new varieties adapted to high ambient temperatures.
What new varieties to expect?
Universal varieties of potatoes in Belarus will not be created. Scientists have abandoned this idea. However, they are not alone in their opinion. This proposal is not considered by scientists around the world.
Belarusian scientists pay special attention to varieties for processing. Potato that is suitable for the production of chips has already been selected. Active work is underway to create a root crop for french fries.
A completely new direction is the removal of potatoes for processing without preliminary heating. Today, manufacturers are faced with the choice: to keep the product at a temperature of 8 ° C, inhibiting its growth by means of inhibitors, or to carry out storage at the most optimal temperature for the root crop of 2-4 ° C. In this case, before processing, the potatoes should be warmed up at a temperature of 14-18 ° C for two weeks. This reduces sugar content. Belarusian experts make every effort to create a variety that requires storage at a temperature of 2-3 ° C without heating.
An attempt to create a transgenic potato variety was unsuccessful
But attempts to create potato varieties in Belarus, not subject to defeat by the Colorado potato beetle, have so far failed. According to scientists, the pest is able to adapt even to transgenic potatoes that produce toxic substances. Many world institutions have stopped work in this direction, considering it meaningless.
The head of the potato breeding department at the Potato Research Institute of Belarus Vadim Mikhanko claims that potato resistant to beetle does not exist. Landing is carried out in such a way as to prevent the pest from getting used to the new variety. To this end, 80% of transgenic potatoes are planted mixed with 20% of ordinary. Scientists conducted an experiment. They only planted transgenic potatoes in which the Colorado potato beetle was placed. 98% of the pests died, and 2% survived and bred. The conclusion is this: in the pursuit of antidote, scientists are helping to breed new species of beetles.
Potato "uladar"
This species belongs to the new early varieties. Has a dining appointment. The height of the stems is medium, the trunk is half-straight. The stems are thin. The leaves of the plant are medium-sized, the edges do not have denticles. Potato "uladar" gives purple flowers.
Potato tubers are oval. The peel is yellow. Fruits are smooth, with small eyes. The pulp also has a yellow color. The starch content is 17%. The level of productivity is 130-350 centners per hectare.
Potato "uladar" is unpretentious, has a high level of resistance to various diseases. All types of soils are suitable for planting this species. The variety was bred by Belarusian breeders. Potatoes are widely distributed in Russia. Tasters rated this variety at 7 points.
Grade "belongings"
Potato "skarb" is the result of the work of breeders of the Belarusian Research Institute of Potato. The word itself means property. But in the Belarusian language it has a different meaning - wealth. The choice of such a name is not accidental. When digging up potato tubers are like gold nuggets. The tubers are oval and have a yellow peel.
Refers to table grade. The potato has white flowers. This species contains up to 17% starch. When boiling does not darken. It is resistant to diseases. The variety is perfectly preserved. It can give 650 centners per hectare.
Many breeders are of the opinion that potatoes “scarb” can be used as a biological additive in the soil in order to cleanse various harmful bacteria and fungi that infect plants.
Grade "Crane"
Potato "crane" refers to the medium-late type of potato. The variety was obtained by Belarusian breeders. The plant is of medium height. His flowers are purple. The shape of the tubers is oval. The fruits are covered with red peel. The pulp of the fruit has a creamy tint.
The starch content in the product is up to 19%. The yield is 640 centners per hectare. Potato "crane" has an excellent taste. This variety is resistant to various viruses. For the inhabitants of Belarus, he became the second bread because of the high and stable productivity.
Potato breeze
This species belongs to the table mid-season variety. Any kind of soil is suitable for its cultivation. The stem is medium height, half straight. The leaves of the potato are large green. Waves at the edges are weakly expressed. Corolla is medium in size and purple in color.
The breeze potato has light pink large flowers. The tuber has an oval shape. It is covered with eyes of medium depth. The peel is slightly rough, yellow. The pulp is also yellow. The starch level is up to 15%. It has a great taste. When boiling, this potato does not darken.
Potato "breeze" is resistant to diseases such as cancer, scab, wrinkled mosaic, but is susceptible to such a pathogen, as golden potato nematode.
Grade "Lilya"
Potato "lilya" refers to the middle early table varieties of potatoes. It is also developed by breeders of the Belarusian Research Institute of Potato. The plant has an average height. The leaves are green medium. White flowers.
Tubers of this variety are oval. They are covered with yellow peel. The pulp when cut is light yellow. The starch content is 17%. The potatoes are delicious.
The variety is resistant to a disease such as cancer. It adapts well in all types of soils. Mineral fertilizer is suitable for this potato. This explains the high level of productivity. The average is 400 centners per hectare. When cooking, the potatoes do not crumble.
Grade "zorachka"
Potato "zorachka" refers to an early ripe table variety. The stem of the plant is medium. The leaf is a little green. The level of productivity is 254-316 centners per hectare. The tuber has an oval shape, covered with small eyes.
The peel is yellow. The pulp is light yellow. This variety is perfectly preserved. Resistant to diseases such as cancer and late blight, occasionally affected by a golden potato nematode.