Improved methods of original and elite seed potato growing aimed at creation of a bank of healthy potato varieties in N.I. Kolesnikov and D.P. Pavlyuk farms in Novgorod region

Abstract

Abstract The objects of this research are microplants of 3 potato varieties acquired from the lab of Novgorod regional branch of Federal State Budgetary Institution “Russian agricultural center” in order to create a nursery. The research goal is to study the characteristics of growth and development of potato varieties, to gain healthy starter material in Novgorod region and to use it in seed production. In the course of this research, phenological observations of growth and development of potato microplants were performed, the effect of the application of “Agrovit-Kor” fertilizer on growth and development of potato microplants was studied and a field nursery of elite and super-elite class potatoes was created. As a result of the study of crops productivity and harvest indexes in D. P. Pavlyuk farm, Aurora potato variety was singled out. Productivity of its plants was 319.7 gram per one bush and its harvest index is 1:15. Impala potato variety stood out in the course of the same study in N. S. Kolesnikov farm - productivity of its plants was 220.9 gram per one bush and its harvest index was 1:12. Red Scarlett variety gives constant yields of potato minitubers. We recommend to perform health-improvement of Red Scarlett potato variety, increase the growing space of microplants, adjust air conditions in greenhouses, improve the drip irrigation system and if possible, install an automatic control system; add growth promoting substances to soil mixture in order to enhance the resistance of microplants to the air conditions in greenhouses; to plant out microplants in the first decade of June for better survivability and protection from late spring frosts and temporary drought that might come due to a sharp rise of mean daily temperatures. We recommend to use “Agrovit-Kor” fertilizer and add calculated doses of humates and growth promoting substances to soil mixtures in order to improve survivability, to encourage an even formation of plants habitus and to increase the harvest index of potato minitubers. In order to improve water conditions, it is required to install a drop irrigation system, expand the range of usage of middle-early potato varieties of Russian (“Eurasia”) and Belarusian (“Yanka”, “Skarb”) selection.