Weather – for potatoes. Vitebsk scientists suggest planting potatoes in early April and help make draniki tastier
This opinion is shared by Oleg Ravbis, head of the potato growing department at the Vitebsk Zonal Institute of Agriculture of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. Based on the latter, in Tulovo, an unusual tasting was recently held, with potatoes as the main star. Guests were invited to evaluate nine varieties and two experimental samples: representatives of agricultural enterprises, local authorities, the agricultural and food committee of the regional executive committee, and residents of the agro-town. "Lileya" and "Manifest" were unanimously recognized as the tastiest, having received an equal number of votes.
Who knew that boiled purple potatoes are pleasantly sweet, and draniki made according to science are tastier. The secret is in choosing the right, i.e., suitable variety, like the early "Lileya". This is precisely what should be focused on in the Vitebsk region. Until recently, with cold winters, everything was different, says Oleg Ravbis:
— We focused on the mid-late group, for example, the "Vector" variety, which yields more than 60 tons per hectare. Now we are paying closer attention to "Lileya" with its yield from 60 to 80 tons. The weather allows it. The soils and climate of the Vitebsk region are not the most favorable for potatoes. Add to this unstable weather conditions: alternating droughts and prolonged rains, when up to 200 percent of the monthly precipitation norm can fall in two weeks, and you will understand why both breeders and farmers are closely monitoring climate change. A mild winter gives hope that we can start planting about 10 days earlier – already in early to mid-April. Of course, if the soil is ready and the sum of active temperatures is above 7 degrees.
Agricultural science does not stand still. New varieties are bred annually, having passed a strict "casting" in laboratories, greenhouses, and fields. For example, the novelties of 2019-2020 are the "Palats" and "Nara" varieties, the interlocutor continues:
— In the region, you can purchase them only from breeders, that is, from us. We guarantee quality. To avoid buying a pig in a poke under the guise of Tulovo seed potatoes, demand a certificate of conformity.
Which potatoes are in vogue today? The classics are still holding their ground – the mid-season "Skarb" and the early-mid "Briz", zoned back in the 1960s.Thanks to minor adjustments, about ten years ago they reappeared on the table – in an improved form. Scientists, including those from Vitebsk, were involved in this. By the way, the Vitebsk Zonal Institute is one of the few in the country that conducts research on clonal micropropagation of potatoes. It is grown literally in test tubes, then the sprouts are divided in a special way, resulting in micro-tubers that become virus-free planting material for the most popular varieties. The focus is on their adaptability to the region's climate.
This year, the variety testing plot of the zonal institute features 6 varieties and 16 hybrids. To ensure that draniki, mashed potatoes, and simply boiled potatoes delight with their taste, scientists are working on their qualities, bringing to the forefront what is needed for a particular variety. There is a table gradation, where each variety has its own "calling". For draniki, it is better to choose early and mid-early varieties with flesh that does not darken quickly and with medium starch content: "Lileya" or "Briz".
Andrey Balysh, Director of the Vitebsk Zonal Institute of Agriculture of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus:
— The most popular varieties for the Vitebsk region are the well-established "Lileya", "Skarb", and "Vektor". In total, last year our institute sold over 800 tons of food and seed potatoes. They were in high demand not only in Belarus but also in Russia, Ukraine, and Serbia. It won't be long before we see exotic varieties – purple tubers. Variety samples have already been submitted for regionalization, and it will take a couple of years before they are assigned a name.
Who knew that boiled purple potatoes are pleasantly sweet, and draniki made according to science are tastier. The secret is in choosing the right, i.e., suitable variety, like the early "Lileya". This is precisely what should be focused on in the Vitebsk region. Until recently, with cold winters, everything was different, says Oleg Ravbis:
— We focused on the mid-late group, for example, the "Vector" variety, which yields more than 60 tons per hectare. Now we are paying closer attention to "Lileya" with its yield from 60 to 80 tons. The weather allows it. The soils and climate of the Vitebsk region are not the most favorable for potatoes. Add to this unstable weather conditions: alternating droughts and prolonged rains, when up to 200 percent of the monthly precipitation norm can fall in two weeks, and you will understand why both breeders and farmers are closely monitoring climate change. A mild winter gives hope that we can start planting about 10 days earlier – already in early to mid-April. Of course, if the soil is ready and the sum of active temperatures is above 7 degrees.
Agricultural science does not stand still. New varieties are bred annually, having passed a strict "casting" in laboratories, greenhouses, and fields. For example, the novelties of 2019-2020 are the "Palats" and "Nara" varieties, the interlocutor continues:
— In the region, you can purchase them only from breeders, that is, from us. We guarantee quality. To avoid buying a pig in a poke under the guise of Tulovo seed potatoes, demand a certificate of conformity.
Which potatoes are in vogue today? The classics are still holding their ground – the mid-season "Skarb" and the early-mid "Briz", zoned back in the 1960s.Thanks to minor adjustments, about ten years ago they reappeared on the table – in an improved form. Scientists, including those from Vitebsk, were involved in this. By the way, the Vitebsk Zonal Institute is one of the few in the country that conducts research on clonal micropropagation of potatoes. It is grown literally in test tubes, then the sprouts are divided in a special way, resulting in micro-tubers that become virus-free planting material for the most popular varieties. The focus is on their adaptability to the region's climate.
This year, the variety testing plot of the zonal institute features 6 varieties and 16 hybrids. To ensure that draniki, mashed potatoes, and simply boiled potatoes delight with their taste, scientists are working on their qualities, bringing to the forefront what is needed for a particular variety. There is a table gradation, where each variety has its own "calling". For draniki, it is better to choose early and mid-early varieties with flesh that does not darken quickly and with medium starch content: "Lileya" or "Briz".
FROM THE FIRST HANDS
Andrey Balysh, Director of the Vitebsk Zonal Institute of Agriculture of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus:
— The most popular varieties for the Vitebsk region are the well-established "Lileya", "Skarb", and "Vektor". In total, last year our institute sold over 800 tons of food and seed potatoes. They were in high demand not only in Belarus but also in Russia, Ukraine, and Serbia. It won't be long before we see exotic varieties – purple tubers. Variety samples have already been submitted for regionalization, and it will take a couple of years before they are assigned a name.
"Sel'skaya Gazeta" (Rural Newspaper).