Very early ripening potato variety "Karatop"

Potatoes are one of the main food products in Russia. It is grown in almost all regions and climatic zones of the country. When planting, gardeners are guided mainly by high-yielding varieties that are unpretentious to care for, which have excellent taste and good keeping quality. These crops include Karatop potatoes - a variety with high yields, unpretentious care, resistant to adverse weather conditions.

Description of the variety

The Karatop potato was bred by German breeders in 1996, and two years later it was already entered into the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation. It has many individual characteristics that distinguish it from other varieties.

What is the difference from other varieties

Among the main differences of culture:

1. Rapid maturity. Potatoes can to eat 40-45 days after landing, while full maturation occurs 60 days after planting.
2. The ability to grow on any soil. Potatoes grow confidently in almost any soil, while preferring light sandy soils.
3. Resistance to mechanical damage. The tubers can easily tolerate cuts and rough transport.
4. Long-term storage. Potatoes of the Karatop variety are stored until spring without losing their taste.
5. Excellent external characteristics. The tubers have a spherical shape, a smooth surface and a strong yellow rind.
6. Ease of processing. Potatoes are easy to peel and heat treatment.

Of course, the distinctive features of Karatop largely depend on the correct and careful adherence to the recommendations for cultivation and care.

Chemical composition, trace elements and vitamins

Karatop potatoes contain about 11-15% starch, which is good for its ability to ripen quickly. However, this property makes it completely unsuitable for use in some branches of the food industry - in particular, the variety is not suitable for the production of chips and potato powder.

Reference! The content of certain microelements in potatoes directly depends on the composition of the soil and the fertilizers used at all stages of growth.

Karatop is rich in the following vitamins and minerals:

• vitamin B6;
• vitamin C;
• potassium;
• silicon;
• cobalt;
• copper;
• molybdenum;
• chromium.

Tuber characteristics and yield

Caratopa tubers have a spherical shape (slightly elongated specimens can be found), smooth skin of a delicate yellow color and light yellow flesh. The surface of the potatoes is uniform, without processes and tubercles.

Attention! It is the shape of the tubers that gives the Karatop variety culinary advantages: smooth and even potatoes are easier to peel.

The variety has an impressive yield:

• 5–27 tons per 1 hectare in the Middle Volga region;
• 20–43.5 tons per 1 hectare in the Northwest region.

Reference! With a properly selected planting region and proper care, the yield of Karatop from one hectare of land can reach a maximum mark of 494 c / ha.

Of course, maximum yields can be obtained in other areas.It all depends on the desire and skills of the gardener who undertook to grow Karatop.

Growing region and planting dates

The potato variety Karatop is suitable for growing throughout Russia.

However, according to the State Sort Register, Karatop grows best in the following agricultural regions:

• Northwestern;
• Volgovyatsky;
• Middle Volga;
• West Siberian.

Planting the Karatop variety is carried out at the moment the soil reaches a temperature of at least + 7-8 ° C. Depending on the area of ​​planting, the planting time according to the required soil temperature comes:

1. Far Eastern region - after May 15th.
2. Northern, East Siberian, West Siberian - after May 25 or before June 5.
3. Northwest - from 15 to 25 May.
4. North Caucasus region - the first days (before 10) April.
5. Central Black Earth, Volgo-Vyatka, Srednevolzhsky - until May 10-12.
6. Central region and Kaliningrad region - the first decade of May.

Of course, these are not entirely accurate dates, since a favorable temperature can be established both earlier and later than the indicated date. When choosing a landing time, it is best to be guided by the weather conditions.

The main advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The main advantages of Karatop potatoes include the following features:

• there is no need for constant careful care;
• the ability to grow on any type of soil;
• culture resistance to disease;
• ripening rate of tubers;
• the possibility of long-term storage;
• resistance to mechanical damage;
• excellent appearance and taste characteristics.

Disadvantages of the Karatop variety:

• drought intolerance;
• poor watering reduces the growth of tubers, which significantly impairs the yield.

Remember that with poor maintenance, even the clear benefits of a variety will not help you get a good harvest.

Features of planting and growing

Like any potato, Karatop requires proper planting and proper care during cultivation.

Preparing for landing

The planting material must be selected in advance, even during the autumn bulkhead. For planting, the same tubers are selected, slightly larger than a chicken egg. At least a month before planting, potatoes are germinated in a warm room with access to a lot of light. Before planting, the tubers are sorted again, removing those that have not sprouted.

Attention! In no case should damaged tubers be used for planting. Such planting material will not only worsen the quality of the crop, but may even rot in the ground before the emergence of seedlings.

In addition to these manipulations, it is advisable to pre-treat the potatoes with a solution of potassium permanganate or copper sulfate for the prevention of fungal diseases.

Landing scheme and technology

Potatoes Karatop are planted according to the following scheme:

1. The distance between the rows of potatoes should be at least 50 and not more than 80 cm. This arrangement will ensure optimal hilling of future potato bushes.
2. The distance between potato bushes in the ridge should be at least 30 and not more than 50 cm.
3. The depth of the holes for planting should be 15-20 cm. Before casting the tubers, the hole is filled with wood ash and humus by one third.

Attention! When choosing the optimal potato planting scheme, take into account not only the recommendations of specialists, but also the possibilities of the site allotted for planting. Avoid placing the beds too close to each other to maximize yield. Such manipulations will make it difficult to access the bushes while processing the beds and reduce the quality of the crop.

After planting the beds of potatoes, they must be carefully loosened with a rake and thoroughly watered. If all the manipulations were performed correctly, the first crop sprouts will appear after 10 days.

Growing features

The agricultural technology of the Karatop variety practically does not differ from the standard one and requires the same actions as the cultivation of any other potato.

Typical activities aimed at growing a quality potato crop include:

1. Regular loosening of the soil between the beds, which begins 5-7 days after planting.
2. Thorough weeding of the beds.
3. The use of peat mulch to protect plantings from drought, possible frost and sunburn. Additionally, mulching will protect the beds from weeds.
4. Hilling plantings - the procedure is performed when the bushes grow to 2-25 cm.

Weeding potatoes is an essential prerequisite for healthy tuber growth, but in extreme heat or drought conditions, it is better to refuse it: weeds will protect potato bushes from sunburn, and the soil around them from drying out and cracking. Of course, don't let the weeds fill your garden.

For convenient and high-quality processing of the beds, use high-quality garden tools: a pointed hoe, light and durable rake. In addition to these tools, it is advisable to purchase convenient soil cultivators in a specialized store.

The nuances of care

The important points of caring for the Karatop variety include mandatory watering and proper top dressing.

Watering mode

Before the onset of the flowering period of potato bushes, the beds are watered at least once a week, and in hot weather - up to 3-4 times, depending on the absorbency of the soil. As soon as the potatoes bloom, watering is increased to 2 obligatory times a week or more in case of severe drought.

Potatoes Karatop does not tolerate drought and heat, therefore, its yield depends on careful watering.

Top dressing

The feeding procedure is carried out simultaneously with watering - with water, useful elements will penetrate to the roots faster. For feeding the Karatop variety, it is recommended to use potash and phosphorus fertilizers.

Attention! In the case of early fertilization of the soil in winter or sufficient soil nutrition, you can do without top dressing.

The soil is fertilized three times during the entire cultivation period. The first feeding is carried out with phosphorus fertilizer 10 days after planting the potatoes. The second with the same composition before flowering during bud formation. For the third time, they are fed with potassium 3 weeks before harvest.

Disease and pest control

In general, Karatop potatoes are resistant to nightshade diseases, but they also have vulnerabilities. It is defenseless against late blight and the Colorado potato beetle.

To combat apply:

1. Against the Colorado potato beetle - insecticides (preparations "Karate", "Fastak", etc.). When using drugs, carefully monitor that the disintegration period of the drug is less than the growing season of potatoes.
2. Against late blight - timely cleaning. If the period of intensive growth of tubers overlaps with the development of the fungus, use fungicides ("Ridomil", "Revus", etc.). In addition, monthly processing of plant stems and soil around the bush with a solution of copper sulfate or potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate) will not be superfluous.

Reference! For spraying, prepare a solution in the proportion: 1 tsp. powder of copper sulfate or potassium permanganate per 1 liter. water.

For best results, it is recommended to combine the above methods of struggle. Thus, the potatoes will be protected from pests, and from disease.

Harvesting and storage

The time for full ripening of Karatop potatoes is about 50-60 days, depending on the care, soil characteristics and weather conditions accompanying the growth... Farmers should look for visual signs of readiness to harvest.

They begin to dig potatoes after ⅔ of the entire tops have dried, and the bushes will fall on the ground. But even in this case, a problem may arise. Since the variety Karatop is early maturing, external signs of ripening may not appear immediately. Therefore, for the greatest reliability, after 50 days from the moment of planting, you need to dig 2-3 bushes in different places.

If the tubers are dry and covered with a dense skin, the crop can be harvested soon.

The crop is dug up with an ordinary shovel or a walk-behind tractor is used - the Karatop variety allows you to safely use a mechanized harvesting method.After harvesting, the tubers are dried outside in partial shade for a couple of days until the adhering earth falls off.

Then they proceed to sorting and remove all damaged, rotten, withered and green potatoes. Large root crops are sent for storage for consumption, while smaller ones are left for planting next season.

Potatoes Karatop have a high keeping quality, so they can be safely stored until spring. The crop is placed in a special vegetable storehouse, basement or cellar.

Important! If the tubers will be stored on a balcony or loggia, they should be reliably protected from the sun's color in order to avoid the production of poisonous solanine.

The optimum storage temperature of the Karatop variety is + 2-4 ° C, it should be established within 1.5-2 weeks from the moment the crop is placed in storage. If the room gets too warm, the quality and shelf life of potatoes will be significantly reduced.

If there is a threat of freezing, the tubers are covered with straw or bags. The recommended humidity in the room should be 85-90%, if it is lower, the crop will dry out, if it is higher, the roots will rot.

What can be the difficulties in growing

Potatoes of the Karatop variety are unpretentious in care. Stable watering is important, on which the yield depends. If there is no direct access to water on the site or it is difficult, it is better to stock up in advance with large containers to collect rain or fill them in time, and then water the beds with a watering can.

If there is access to water, the work will be facilitated by an automatic sprayer located in the beds. This simple device will provide potatoes with constant access to the necessary moisture.

Tips from experienced gardeners and reviews of the Karatop variety

Most gardeners are satisfied with the Karatop variety. In this section, farmers share their experience and advice on growing.

Pavel Terentyev, Samara: “I have been growing potatoes for many years. Several seasons ago, I first tried to plant the Karatop variety. When I bought it, I was told that this is an early-maturing variety that ripens in 60 days with sufficient watering. To be honest, I didn't even believe it right away, but two months after planting, my family and I (to my surprise) reaped a very good harvest. The potatoes were of good quality and very tasty. The harvest lay almost until summer. Since then I recommend this potato to everyone I know.

I recommend storing potatoes right in the garden if weather conditions allow it. This method is useful for gardeners who do not have a cellar or have little space in the house. To do this, they dig a hole of medium depth, cover the bottom with dense material, sprinkle the potatoes with earth, straw or spruce branches on top. Karatop is well stored, which allows it to be placed in the ground. "

Nikolay Donchenko, Belgorod: “In order not to use chemistry, citrus peels can be used to protect against the ubiquitous Colorado potato beetle. The pest does not tolerate their smell, but it will come in handy for the gardener. For the product, you need to boil dry or fresh peels of orange, tangerine or lemon, then spray the bushes and the ground around with the cooled broth. The procedure is best done several times over the summer, especially if there are a lot of beetles in the area. A proven and effective method. "

Anastasia Zharkova, Rostov-on-Don: “I found out about Karatop by chance when I was choosing potatoes for planting. I wanted to plant something new and unusual. The market advised me to take this variety, they said that with regular watering it can grow in any soil (and I just have one sand in my garden). They were also praised for their early maturity, they say, it ripens in 2 months. I did not expect, of course, that I would get the harvest so quickly, but after 65 days I harvested a full cellar of potatoes. Karatop's tubers are strong, round, well kept. The taste was appreciated by all the relatives. It was only difficult to water often, but the result was worth it. I strongly recommend to all gardeners to try this variety. "

Ivan, Krasnodar: “Try to plant your potatoes so that the beds grow from north to south. So the sun will illuminate the landing in the morning from the east, and in the afternoon - from the west. Potatoes will be able to receive maximum light and heat, which will have a positive effect on the yield. "

Conclusion

The potato variety Karatop is early maturing, high-yielding and undemanding to care for. Tubers are stored for a long time and are resistant to mechanical damage. The only requirement for growing is regular watering. If you follow a few simple recommendations, planted potatoes will delight you with the quantity and quality of the crop.