High-yielding cabbage variety "Belorusskaya": description and characteristics
Belorusskaya is a variety of white cabbage that was bred back in Soviet times and has still not lost its popularity among gardeners. Despite weak immunity, it has many positive characteristics, including pleasant taste, good shelf life and high commercial qualities. In this article we will provide a description of the Belorusskaya cabbage variety and talk about agrotechnical requirements.
Description of the variety
The variety appeared thanks to the work of Soviet breeders. It is characterized by dense, flattened heads of cabbage, suitable for fresh consumption, processing and storage.
Origin and development
Belorusskaya cabbage was bred by Soviet breeders of the All-Russian Research Institute of Selection and Seed Production based on one of the Belarusian varieties using the method of individual and family selection.
The variety was included in the State Register of Russia in 1943. Popular varieties are Belarusian 455 and 85.
Chemical composition and beneficial properties
100 g of vegetable contains:
- sugar – 4.4-6.7%;
- ascorbic acid – 24-39 mg;
- dry matter – up to 8%;
- vitamin B1 – 0.03 mg;
- B2 – 0.04 mg;
- B5 – 0.2 mg;
- B6 – 0.1 mg;
- E – 0.1 mg;
- calcium – 48 mg;
- phosphorus – 31 mg;
- chlorine – 37 mg.
Cabbage helps normalize metabolic processes, has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, is useful for atherosclerosis, gout, constipation, heart and kidney diseases.
Features of application
The heads of cabbage of this variety are suitable for fresh consumption, pickling, pickles, extinguishing, preparing salads and first courses.
Ripening time and yield
This is a late ripening variety. The harvest of Belorusskaya 455 is ready for harvesting 120-130 days after emergence, Belorusskaya 85 - after 140-150 days.
Productivity – 474-785 c/ha.
Resistance to diseases, pests and cold
The variety is prone to damage clubroot, vascular bacteriosis, cabbage flies, cabbage butterflies, caterpillars, mole crickets, cruciferous bugs, flea beetles, aphids, whiteflies, stem stalkers and slugs.
This is a frost-resistant variety – seeds germinate at +5°C, adult plants tolerate frosts down to -4°C.
Description of the appearance of leaves and heads of cabbage
The variety is characterized by a weak root system located 25-30 cm from the soil surface. The plant forms dense heads of flattened shape weighing 2-3 kg (Belorusskaya 85) and 4-4.5 kg (Belorusskaya 455) with an outer stalk no more than 10 cm long.
The leaf rosette is semi-spreading, reaches 70-90 cm in diameter. The outer leaves are dense, large, dark green, have a rounded-flat shape, medium-wavy edges, thin veins and a smooth surface covered with a waxy coating.
The leaves forming the head of cabbage are thin, light green in color, and bleach by the time of technical maturity.
Cabbage is crispy and juicy and slightly sweet.
What regions is it suitable for?
Belarusian cabbage is approved for cultivation in Northern, Northwestern, Central, Volga-Vyatka, Central Black Earth, Middle Volga, Ural, West Siberian, East Siberian and Far Eastern regions.
Advantages and disadvantages of the Belorusskaya variety
Advantages of the variety:
- no tendency to crack;
- transportability;
- pleasant sweetish taste;
- versatility of use;
- abundant yield;
- frost resistance;
- possibility of collecting your own seeds.
Disadvantages of the Belarusian:
- susceptibility to disease and pests;
- demands on humidity, especially at the beginning of the growing season;
- poor tolerance to transplantation.
Difference from other varieties and hybrids
Comparison of Belorusskaya with other late-ripening varieties cabbage is given in the table:
| Variety | Head shape | Head weight, kg | Productivity, c/ha |
| Belarusian | Flattened | 2-3 and 4-4.5 | 474-785 |
| Artemovka | Round-flat | 2,4-3,2 | 387-559 |
| Turquoise plus | Round | 1,7-2,5 | 432-677 |
| Voykor | Round-flat | 1,7-2,3 | 230-338 |
Features of planting and growing
Belorussian cabbage is grown in open and closed groundusing seedling or seedless methods.
Preparing to plant seeds and seedlings
The timing of sowing seeds varies from late March to early May depending on the climate of the region: in warm regions, cabbage is sown earlier, in cold regions - later.
Pre-landing preparation:
containers for sowing are treated with boiling water with the addition of potassium permanganate a week before planting;- prepare a soil mixture with neutral acidity by mixing peat, turf soil and sand in a ratio of 3:1:0.5, the day before sowing, spill it with a solution of potassium permanganate or fungicides (Gamair);
- harden the seeds by immersing them in hot water (+50°C) for half an hour, and then for 2 minutes. into cold water;
- pickle the planting material by soaking for 30 minutes. in a solution of potassium permanganate or for 8 hours in Fitosporin.
The substrate is poured into the prepared containers and seeds are sown every 3 cm, deepening them by 1 cm.. The grains are sprinkled with soil mixture and watered, the containers are covered with polyethylene and placed in a room with a temperature of +18...+20°C.
After emergence they are provided with 12 hours of daylight and an air temperature of +15°C during the day and +10°C at night.
When the seedlings form 2 true leaves, pick seedlings into individual containers with a diameter of at least 6 cm.
Water the seedlings moderately, preventing the soil from drying out or becoming waterlogged., and 2 weeks before transplanting to the beds they begin to harden it, taking it out into the fresh air and gradually increasing the time it stays there from 15 minutes. up to 24 hours.
Non-seedling planting
When growing without seedlings, seeds are sown immediately in open ground in May. according to the scheme 60×60 or 70×70 cm, deepening by 1-1.5 cm.
Heads of cabbage set quickly at a temperature of +20…+25°C. If the air warms up to +30°C or more, the formation of heads of cabbage slows down.
Soil requirements
Belarusian is planted in a well-lit, sunny and wind-protected place. The variety prefers light, loose, fertile soil with neutral acidity, good aeration and moisture permeability.
The soil is prepared in the fall: cover with humus or compost mixed with ash at the rate of 1 bucket of mixture per 1 sq. m, and dig to a depth of about 22 cm.
Predecessors
The variety is better plant after onions, tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, legumes and pumpkin crops. The worst predecessors are rutabaga, turnips, turnips and other varieties of cabbage.
Dates, scheme and rules of planting
Seedlings are transplanted into open ground in the first half of June., when the seedlings are 40-50 days old, they will have 6-8 leaves and a strong root system. The soil should be warmed to +4…+10°C.
Landing rules:
- The beds are formed in the direction from north to south, maintaining a distance between rows of 60-70 cm.
- Every 60-70 cm, planting holes with a depth of 15-20 cm are made in them.
- A handful of humus and wood ash is poured into the bottom of each, and 2-3 liters of water are poured in.
- The seedlings are removed from the containers and placed in prepared recesses, carefully straightening the roots.
- Sprinkle the plants with soil up to the lower leaves, compact and water the soil.
Transplantation of seedlings is carried out in the evening or in cloudy, rainy weather.
Features of cultivation
Caring for the Belorusskaya variety involves fulfilling standard agrotechnical requirements: watering, weeding and loosening, fertilizing and protection from diseases and pests.
Watering mode
During the first 14 days after transplanting, seedlings are watered at least once every 2 days. at the rate of 2 liters of water per plant. In the future, they focus on climatic conditions and soil composition: chernozem and loams are watered less often, sandy loams - more often.
Reference. The soil must be moistened to a depth of at least 20 cm.
Watering is stopped 2 weeks before harvesting.so that the heads of cabbage do not crack.
Loosening and hilling
The soil is loosened after each watering or rain. to a depth of up to 7 cm. This improves access of moisture, air and beneficial elements to the roots. At the same time, they get rid of weeds.
Hill up cabbage twice a season. For the first time - 3 weeks after transplanting the seedlings into the ground.
Top dressing
Fertilizers are applied for the first time 2 weeks after transplanting seedlings., using 0.5 liters of humus or chicken manure solution for each plant.
Subsequently, the cabbage is fed 3-4 more times. at intervals of 15-20 days, pouring 1 liter of mullein or chicken manure under the plants.
Reference. The variety responds well to foliar feeding with iodine or ammonia.
Measures to increase yield
The quantity and quality of the harvest depend on the care of the plantings. Many large and beautiful heads of cabbage can be obtained with proper watering, regular fertilization and protection of vegetables from diseases and pests.
Disease and pest control
Diseases and pests dangerous to this variety are presented in the table:
| Disease/pest | Signs | How to get rid |
| Kila | Plants lose turgor, leaves turn yellow and wither, heads of cabbage fall to one side, and the above-ground part dies. | The disease cannot be treated, so the affected specimens are uprooted and burned, and the soil is generously watered with copper sulfate. |
| Vascular bacteriosis | The seedlings develop slowly, the roots of the seedlings become bent. They quickly die after the cotyledons lighten, and the veins on the leaves become black. If the heads of cabbage are tied, they grow small and loose. | Infected plants are dug up and destroyed, the above-ground parts of healthy ones are sprayed with Planriza solution. |
| Cabbage flies | The leaves become covered with a sticky coating and holes or yellow dots appear on them. |
Plants are sprayed with a soap-ash solution, decoctions based on garlic, wormwood, onion peels, vinegar, and ammonia. If folk remedies do not help, use insecticidal preparations, for example, “Aktara” or “Aktofit”. |
| Caterpillars | ||
| Cabbage butterflies | ||
| Medvedki | ||
| Cruciferous bugs | ||
| Wavy flea beetles | ||
| Aphid | ||
| Whiteflies | ||
| Stem lurkers | ||
| Slugs |
Harvest and storage
The harvest is harvested in late September - early October, choosing a sunny day for this so that the heads of cabbage are dry.
Cabbage heads are cut with a knife, leaving stalks about 3 cm long., for which they are later suspended during storage.
For storage, choose a well-ventilated room with a temperature of 0...+5°C and air humidity within 95%. In such conditions, the heads of cabbage are stored until January, and at a temperature of +5...+7°C - for a month.
Difficulties in growing
Problems that may arise when cultivating Belarusian:
- the stems stretch out, the quality of the heads of cabbage decreases - cabbage grows in the shade, it lacks light;
- cracking of heads of cabbage is the result of watering for 2 weeks before harvesting.
Tips and reviews from experienced gardeners about the variety
Gardeners recommend:
- change the place where cabbage is planted annually to reduce the risk of plants being damaged by clubroot;
- sow seeds immediately in individual containers, since seedlings of this variety do not tolerate picking.
Farmers respond positively to the variety.
Maria, Kazan: “I’ve been growing this cabbage for several decades, I’ve tried other varieties, but I still come back to Belorusskaya. The cabbage is very tasty, stores well and for a long time, the heads of cabbage are large and dense. True, I have to carefully treat against diseases and pests, because the variety has no immunity, but I’m already used to it and don’t consider it something difficult.”.
Natalya, Voronezh region.: “Our plot is small, but we always grow cabbage. It may be a little, but it’s enough for us. We choose Belorusskaya because it is very tasty and ideal for fermentation".
Conclusion
Belorusskaya is a long-known variety of cabbage, the main advantages of which include relative resistance to cracking, good keeping quality and transportability, excellent taste and high yield. Disadvantages include lack of immunity to diseases and pests and demanding watering.