High-yielding purple potato variety "Cornflower" from domestic breeders

The Vasilek potato variety is one of the achievements of Russian breeders. It surpasses its Soviet predecessors (Sineglazka, Tsyganka and Chugunka) in terms of yield and the content of nutrients in tubers. To grow a cornflower and get a rich harvest, knowledge of the features of planting and competent care is required.

What kind of potato is this

Cornflower is a table variety bred at VNIIKH them. A. G. Lorkha for cultivation in the central regions of the country. These are medium early ripening potatoes. From planting to harvest, 80–90 days pass.

Cornflower is grown following standard agricultural practices. It is distinguished by average resistance to diseases and parasites. We are talking about potato cancer, scab, late blight, viruses. The plant is susceptible to nematode.

Potatoes of this variety are used to prepare diet meals and baby food. It contains 12 to 15% starch. Potatoes are distinguished by a high content of ascorbic acid, tocopherol, carotenoids. Thanks to its rich vitamin composition, the variety is healthy.

Two potatoes contain the same amount of vitamin C as one lemon. The carotenoids present in tubers have antioxidant properties. They contribute to the normal functioning of the organs of the genitourinary system, protect the body from fungal and bacterial damage.

Origin and development

The Cornflower variety is the result of 5 years of labor of domestic breeders. He was bred by crossing Chugunka with the hybrid D-31-88. The work of breeders was aimed at creating a fortified vegetable crop, whose roots, when grown, would absorb less nitrates than traditional potato varieties.

Cornflower was registered in the register of the Russian Federation under No. 9253214 in 2014. The patent for it belongs to the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Potato Farming. A.G. Lorkha.

Cornflower was bred for cultivation mainly in the central part of the country. It is ideal for the conditions of the Central, Central Black Earth, North-West regions of Russia.

Distinctive features, appearance

As you can see in the photo, the Cornflower variety is characterized by elongated oval tubers. They are covered with a smooth violet-blue peel with small superficial eyes. The sprouts also have a dark purple color.

The pulp is creamy, juicy and dense in consistency. It is moderately starchy, mealy and watery.

Potatoes have good taste characteristics. Tubers during cooking in moderation boiled over, and the pulp does not darken.

The uniformity of size, shape and elasticity of the potatoes makes the variety easy to store.

Description and characteristics of the plant and crop

The mid-early variety Cornflower, when grown, gives medium-high semi-erect bushes with strong tops of a bright green hue. Medium-sized open leaves. Small flower corollas have a reddish-purple color.

The bush gives from 9 to 14 potatoes per season, weighing 80–120 g each. From 1 hectare you can harvest 20–48 tons of crops, from 1 hectare - about 70 kg.

The indicator of marketability of the crop ranges from 70 to 95%, and keeping quality - 96%.

How to grow this variety

Cornflower is easy to grow, it is unpretentious in care. To get a high yield, it is important to correctly select seed material, prepare and fertilize the soil.

Timing, scheme and landing rules

The potato variety Cornflower is planted in mid or late March, when there are no night frosts. Seed material is prepared starting from the last month of winter:

1. For planting, potatoes of the correct shape are selected, without damage and signs of disease. The optimal weight of each is from 55 to 75 g.
2. Tubers are evenly spread in one layer for germination. It is advisable to sprinkle them with sawdust and irrigate them daily with water, using a spray bottle for this purpose.
3. On the eve, the seed is treated with a solution of copper sulfate prepared from 10 liters of water and 1 tbsp. l. copper sulfate powder. This measure will save potatoes from diseases.
4. Having carried out preventive spraying, the tubers are dried and transferred to a warm, well-lit place where they have to warm up and germinate.

Cornflower is a light-loving variety. It is preferable to grow it in an area of ​​the garden, open to sunlight and protected from drafts.

Before planting, the soil is treated to create a comfortable temperature and air regime. Organic fertilizers are applied to heavy soil, and peaty-boggy soil is pre-cultivated.

It is advisable to plant in the ground where green manure used to grow. It is permissible to grow Cornflower after beans, cabbage, cucumbers, pumpkins.

Potatoes weighing 55–75 g are planted in accordance with one of the following schemes:

• 60 × 30 cm;
• 60 × 25 cm;
• 70 × 20 cm.

Care

To get a good harvest, it is important to follow these guidelines:

1. 14 days after planting, when shoots appear en masse, the inter-row space is loosened deep (by 7 cm).
2. If late spring frosts are predicted, the seedlings will spud high.
3. The first hilling is resorted to when the tops reach a height of 15 cm, to the second - when it closes.
4. Plants are watered as needed, and during the flowering period, when tubers are formed, they begin to actively water the bushes. 1 bush requires at least 2 liters of water.
5. In drought conditions, mandatory irrigation is required. It is carried out at least 3 times during the growing season.
6. When growing potatoes of the Vasilek variety, it is necessary to treat phytophthora with preparations with a high copper content. It is carried out at least 3 times per season.
7. An alternative to regular weeding is soil mulching. It reduces the growth of weeds and conserves moisture.

Planting cornflower potatoes need feeding:

• a solution of poultry droppings in a ratio with water 1:10;
• urea diluted in water 1:10;
• manure with water 1:10;
• fermented herbal infusions;
• phosphorus (foliar feeding).

The nuances of growing and possible difficulties, the fight against diseases and pests

Cornflower loves warmth and sunlight. At temperatures below 0 ° C, the plant dies. For potatoes to germinate and produce tubers, a temperature above + 10 ° C is required. In hot summer conditions (from + 25 ° C to + 30 ° C), the culture feels good with frequent abundant watering.

The variety is hygrophilous. Plants do not tolerate drought well and require good watering.

Cornflower is resistant to diseases and pests (except for nematodes). Plants may be damaged by late blight. Preparations containing copper and mineral fertilizers help protect against it. Insecticides and fungicidal solutions are used to neutralize mosaic viruses. Fungicides "Ditan" and "Prestige" are effective against scab and rot.

In the fight against beetles and larvae, it is recommended to use wormwood-ash tincture. The remedy is also effective against nematodes. An alternative to it is purchased drugs like Albit. You can protect plants from the Colorado potato beetle by adding wood ash to the hole when planting.

For prevention purposes, experts recommend treating the tubers with fungicides on the eve of planting.In the absence of spring sanitization, spraying of already mature plants is required.

Collection, storage and use of the crop

Providing plants with good conditions, using high-quality seed and fertilizers are the key to obtaining a high yield. Collect it in late summer or early autumn.

Cornflower potatoes are stored for 3 to 4 months. In conditions of high humidity, there is a risk of tuber sprouting.

A dry place is suitable for storage, where the sun's rays do not fall. It is important to ensure good air circulation and temperature conditions not exceeding + 3 ° C.

The potatoes of this variety have pleasant taste characteristics. His use for food in boiled, fried and baked form.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Among the advantages of the Cornflower variety:

• the possibility of obtaining a crop after 70 days from the moment of planting;
• no need for frequent hilling due to the compactness of the bush;
• high yield rate;
• resistance to diseases and pests;
• high content of vitamins, the presence of antioxidant properties;
• pleasant taste.

Among the few disadvantages are:

• susceptibility of plants to nematodes and rot pathogens;
• rapid germination of tubers, making it difficult to store the crop in winter;
• in acidic soil, the variety does not yield a good harvest.

Which regions is best suited for

Breeders have developed the Cornflower variety for cultivation in the central part of Russia. Plants do well throughout the country, except for the northern part of it. The culture is undemanding to soil and climate.

The maximum yield is achieved when grown on light fertile soil in the climatic conditions of the central regions.

Farmers reviews

Although the Cornflower variety is new, it has a lot of positive feedback from farmers and gardeners.

Tatiana, Ryazan: «Cornflower is similar to the Blue Danube and Gypsy varieties. A bit small, but there are a lot of potatoes in the bush. The disadvantage is scab. "

Irina, Kursk: “I planted cornflower, blueness, gingerbread man and sorcerer on plantations. The greatest harvest was given by Vasilek (0.5 kg yielded 12-15 kg). I don't really like that the variety is slightly boiled during cooking. "

Nina, Nizhny Novgorod: “Cornflower potatoes do not like overly alkaline or acidic soil. To determine if the acidity of the soil is suitable for growing this variety, look at the weeds growing in the area. If dandelions with coltsfoot and wheatgrass bloom profusely on the plantation, you can safely plant a Cornflower. He will feel great in such land and give a good harvest. "

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Conclusion

The Cornflower variety has an unusual color and good taste. It is suitable for boiling, frying and mashing. Competent care is the key to getting a large harvest. It is necessary to adhere to the rules of crop rotation and not plant Cornflower after nightshade.

To obtain high-quality tubers, it is important to timely fertilize, water and huddle bushes.