On behalf of the acting Minister of Agriculture of the Stavropol Territory Vladimir Sitnikov, testing of new domestic varieties of potatoes began in the Stavropol Territory.
One of the leaders in the production of potatoes in the Stavropol Territory is Piedmont District, where in 2020 47 thousand tons of potatoes were grown, 64% of which fell on peasant (farm) farms. It was here, on the basis of Sergey Mernov's K (F) X in the village of Yasnaya Polyana, that experiments began in April in which farmers used new varieties of domestic breeding potatoes.
“Potatoes in terms of their importance in world agricultural production occupies a stable fourth place, second only to wheat, corn and rice. In the course of spring field work for the harvest-2021 in the agricultural enterprises and K (F) X region, about 5,4 thousand hectares were allocated for potatoes - this is 50% of the total sowing area of vegetable crops in open ground. Last year, in all categories of farms, including private household plots, 220 thousand tons of potatoes were harvested, which is 87% in terms of self-sufficiency of the region with this crop, ”said the acting director. Minister of Agriculture of the Stavropol Territory Vladimir Sitnikov.
Among the varieties that are being experimented with by farmers in the Foothill District are Fritella, Vympel, Meteor and Favorit. They are provided by FITS potato them. A.G. Lorkha. Six more varieties were provided by ETK Meristemnye Kultury LLC, including Vershininsky, Valentina and Evgenia. The experiments are carried out by the chief specialist-consultant of the State Institution "Stavropol SIKC" Alexander Golota. Under his leadership, on 14 plots, from south to north for uniform illumination, 15 kg of treated seeds of each variety were planted in the ridges, with the introduction of a starting dose of fertilizers.
“Our main goal is to popularize domestic seed potatoes, to increase the production of Russian varieties with good market characteristics and disease resistance. In addition, when growing potatoes, it is necessary to use resource-saving technologies. Optimal tillage, transition to wide aisles, high-precision application of fertilizers and protective and stimulating agents - all this matters, ”explained Alexander Golota.
In the coming months, specialists will control all stages of potato cultivation on experimental plots. Intermediate results of experiments in K (F) X by Sergei Mernov will be presented in July 2021 at the regional seminar.