At the request of Novgorod farmers and Syngenta LLC, scientists from the Institute of Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering of Novgorod State University are developing a system of potato nutrition elements, reports university press office.
It takes into account the need of plants for nutrients depending on the phase of growth and development of plants.
Nutrients affect yield, taste and stress resistance.
“Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium must be in a certain ratio,” said Yaroslava Abdushaeva, professor at the Department of Technology for the Production and Processing of Agricultural Products of Novgorod State University. - Potassium increases the resistance of plants to adverse growth and development factors: potatoes are generally a potassium-loving crop. And since there is very little potassium in Novgorod soils, and it is in an inaccessible form, it is necessary to add potassium chloride in the fall, acidic soils must be limed. Chlorine partially suppresses pathogenic soil microflora. It is important to consider the optimum temperature for potatoes - up to 250C. At high temperatures, the process of photosynthesis slows down, air nutrition does not occur in plants, and many minerals from the soil are poorly absorbed.
In developed foreign countries, due to the high culture of agriculture, the yield of potato tubers is three to four times higher than in Russia. High potato yields are obtained due to the intensification of production through the use of high-quality seed material, compliance with the requirements of agricultural technology, and the use of nutrient-balanced fertilizer systems.
Today, more than 60 varieties of potatoes of domestic selection are grown in the fields of the Novgorod region.