Mid-early table potato variety "Isle of Jura"
Isle of Jura potatoes are an Anglo-Russian variety that is increasingly being chosen by domestic vegetable growers. It has gained increased demand due to its resistance to short-term frosts, ease of care, excellent keeping quality of tubers and their universal use.
The article will tell you what features and advantages this variety has, what the rules of its agricultural technology are, and whether difficulties may arise during cultivation.
Description of the variety
Isle of Jura potatoes are table varieties. Its tubers are neat and tasty. Excellent for all types of heat treatment – cooking, frying, stewing, baking. The variety appeared on the island of Jura, which is located near Scotland. But first things first.
Origin and development
Breeders from Russia and Great Britain decided to develop a new potato variety that could meet the needs of vegetable growers in both countries. Thanks to common efforts and hard work, farmers were able to get to know the Isle of Jura. The variety has a different name - Jura potatoes, and is grown in the Central region and northern regions of Russia, Ukraine and Moldova.
The variety was included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation in 2007. For more than 10 years, Jura has not lost its position in the market and is one of the five best Russian potato varieties.
Chemical composition, trace elements and vitamins
Potato tubers contain many useful substances. They are as follows:
- proteins and carbohydrates (starch from 12 to 16%, fiber, pectin, glucose, fructose, sucrose);
- B vitamins (B1, B2, B5, B6);
- mineral salts (potassium, phosphorus);
- organic acids (citric, oxalic, malic);
- trace elements (iron, zinc, iodine, copper, manganese, fluorine and so on).
Thanks to its rich composition, Jura has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, the condition of the skin and other organs.
Attention! Like any other potato variety, Jura is not recommended for people suffering from diabetes or metabolic disorders.
Characteristics of tubers, description of appearance and yield
Jura potatoes have tubers with an oval, slightly elongated shape. Small eyes are located sparsely. The peel is smooth, yellow-beige, thin, easy to peel, and becomes noticeably rougher during long-term storage.
The pulp is creamy yellow, after heat treatment it becomes soft and crumbly. The taste quality is high: tasters gave the variety a taste rating of 4 to 5 points.
The weight of one tuber varies between 110-180 g. But there were also large specimens whose weight exceeded 200 g. One bush produces from 8 to 11 potatoes of the same size.
The appearance of the plant is characterized by the following features:
- the bush is semi-erect, powerful and spreading;
- reaches a height of 40-60 cm;
- plant type – intermediate;
- the leaves are large, slightly wavy, dark emerald color.
The variety can be proud of its decent yield. From 1 hectare, a vegetable grower receives from 250 to 350 centners. The commercial quality of the tubers is high – 90%.
What regions is it suitable for?
Jura potatoes tolerate frost well and show high yield even at temperatures during development of about 0°C. Wind and humid air do not prevent it from growing to its full potential. But dry and hot weather and hot summers slow down the development of tubers and even lead to their death.
The variety is suitable for cultivation in the middle zone and more northern regions of Russia.
Important! If you follow the rules of agricultural technology, Jura will show high yields in any region. Good results were noted in the Volgograd and Astrakhan regions.
What is the difference from other varieties
Jura potatoes differ from other varieties in the table purpose of their tubers. They belong to the culinary type of aircraft. This means that the tubers:
- universal;
- moderately mealy;
- The pulp cooks well.
Another significant difference is the high beta-carotene content. It was this substance that awarded the tubers with creamy-yellowish and juicy pulp.
The main advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Isle of Jura potatoes have proven to be high-yielding and hardy in unfavorable conditions. The tubers develop quickly, acquire the correct shape and gain weight. Potatoes belong to the mid-early varieties - they begin to dig 65-80 days after the first sunrises appear.
Gardeners highlight the following advantages of this variety:
- excellent keeping quality;
- versatility of use;
- pleasant and rich taste;
- unpretentiousness in care and weather conditions;
- resistance to many diseases, in particular golden nematode, late blight, cancer;
- early harvest;
- presentation of tubers.
Jura has no serious drawbacks. There is a relative disadvantage - the inability to develop normally in too dry summers.
Features of planting and growing
Potatoes do not require special care or long preparatory work to fertilize the soil, but some measures are recommended.
Preparing for landing
Before planting potatoes, it is important to choose the right area. A sunny area is preferable (lowland is not suitable), on which perennial grasses, winter crops, legumes or flax previously grew. In the fall, it is good to dig up the soil, remove plant roots, and add organic matter.
Spring training before landing potatoes includes the following activities:
- In April, planting material is placed in a bright place with a temperature of +12°C so that the tubers form healthy, strong shoots. If the potatoes are large, it is recommended to cut them in half.
- In May, before planting, the soil is dug up, plant roots are removed, and peat and sand are added.
- The seeds are treated with manganese or garlic infusion to prevent fungal diseases and protect the tubers from pests.
- Treatment in Epin is recommended - the procedure stimulates subsequent growth of the bush.
Attention! To get an excellent potato harvest, listen to the advice of experienced farmers. For example, before plowing, add 8 kg of humus or manure, 30 g of superphosphate per square meter of land. Place 130-180 g of wood ash in each hole.
Dates, scheme and rules of planting
Tubers are planted in mid or late May. The soil temperature will help determine the exact timing: at the depth of potato placement, the soil should warm up to +12°C.
When planting, the distance between holes is 40-50 cm, between rows - 50-60 cm. The depth of the holes depends on the type of soil:
- structured loams and sandy loams – 8-10 cm;
- heavy clayey – 5-6 cm.
The location of the sprouts during planting does not affect subsequent potato yields.
Features of cultivation
Potatoes require timely loosening and weeding. They loosen after each watering, do this with light tools so as not to damage the tubers. Weeds are removed and destroyed.
Hilling creates a favorable environment for tubers to gain weight. The procedure is performed after watering, forming ridges around the bushes 3-5 cm high.
Important! For better development, the plants are fertilized with a urea solution (20 g diluted in 10 liters of water) before the first hilling. Apply 500 ml of solution to the root of each bush.
Nuances of care
Caring for Jura is not difficult if you follow the watering regime, regularly fertilize, remove pests and treat the bushes against diseases.
Watering mode
As the creators say, the variety loves moisture. The rules are as follows:
- Water for the first time when the height of the bush is 13-15 cm. Pour 3.5 liters of water under each root.
- The second step is during the formation of buds. Pour 6-7 liters of water under each bush.
- The third is during the period of fruit ripening. Increase the volume of water to 12 liters.
Be sure to monitor soil moisture during watering. If the soil is damp, it is not recommended to water the plants - this can lead to rotting of the tubers.
Top dressing
Organic fertilizers in the form of manure and humus directly affect crop yields. But they may not be enough. Additionally, it is recommended to apply complex mineral and organomineral fertilizers. These include: “AVA”, “Kemira”, “Kristalon”, “OMU”, “Bulba” and others.
Foliar feeding will improve the overall condition of the stems and leaves. The following mixtures are prepared for processing:
- 90-110 g of urea are diluted in 10 liters of water;
- 150 g of potassium monophosphate are diluted in 10 liters of water;
- 5 g of boric acid is diluted in 10 liters of water.
Important! Spray the bushes with any of the above compounds from a spray bottle. The first foliar feeding is necessary after the first watering, and the second - after 2-3 weeks. It is recommended to reduce the concentration of drugs by half.
Disease and pest control
The Jura variety is resistant to potato cancer, common scab, black leg, and golden nematode. But with high humidity, tubers are often affected by late blight. Sick bushes are dug up and destroyed. Healthy ones are sprayed with fungicides “Oxyx” and “Ridomil” strictly according to the instructions.
Among the pests, potatoes are usually attacked by wireworm, cutworm, whitefly, and Colorado potato beetles. Methods for controlling insects are as follows:
- promptly remove weeds around plants;
- use modern preparations in the form of insecticides, not forgetting the instructions;
- collect Colorado potato beetle larvae and adults by hand, spray the stems and leaves with special preparations.
Any variety of potato is susceptible to attack by Colorado potato beetles. Jura is no exception. Only timely treatments will help preserve bushes and fruits.
Reference. Experienced farmers noted the best means for potatoes in the fight against pests and diseases. For example, Imidiacloprid and Pencycuron have proven themselves to be effective. They are safe for young shoots, mature plants and fruits.
Harvest and storage
Harvesting is a pleasant moment that every gardener awaits. If all the features of caring for and growing the variety have been taken into account, then the beds will delight you with appetizing and beautiful potatoes.
How and when to collect
Potato harvesting begins in late July or early August. Signs of tuber ripening are dry tops that have fallen to the ground.It is better to dig on a sunny day. The dug up tubers are dried for a day or two.
Attention! After harvesting potatoes, it is necessary to destroy the dry tops. Otherwise, it will become an ideal environment for the proliferation of viruses and bacteria.
Storage features and keeping quality of the variety
Carefully sort the collected potatoes. Remove rotten and damaged tubers. Place the seed material into bags. Place the vegetables in wooden boxes and place them in the cellar, the temperature of which does not exceed +5°C.
The keeping quality of potatoes of the variety in question is considered excellent. Tubers retain their freshness, elasticity and taste for 6-12 months or more. After a long storage period, the fruits do not lose their presentation.
What difficulties may there be when growing
Growing Isle of Jura potatoes is easy and simple. It does not require professional skills or special knowledge from the vegetable grower.
The only difficulty that may arise is infection with late blight. However, this will not happen if the plantings are treated with fungicides in advance.
Advice from experienced gardeners and reviews about the Isle of Jura variety
Experienced gardeners recommend promptly removing weeds, hilling up plants, applying fertilizer, and getting rid of the Colorado potato beetle. Pay special attention to bushes during the flowering period. It is at this stage that potatoes need feeding and watering.
Reviews about the Jura variety are only positive.
Alexey, Yasnogorsk: «I decided to try planting Isle of Jura potatoes. Two weeks ago I dug up large and fleshy tubers. The overall impression of the development of the bushes and the taste of the cooked potatoes is positive. I was pleased with the variety’s resistance to adverse weather conditions and diseases.”
Natalya, Dyatkovo: “I have been growing Jura potatoes for more than two years. I am pleased with the stable yield. One bush produces 1.5 kg of large, neat potatoes. I was able to get this result after adding wood ash to the holes. I recommend everyone to try growing this variety.”
Read also:
Viable potato variety Golubizna.
Conclusion
As you can see, Isle of Jura potatoes are characterized only on the positive side. It is unpretentious in care, does not require special conditions for growth, but at the same time shows decent productivity.
The variety takes root well in any region of Russia, even in unfavorable weather conditions. It is enough to take into account all the recommendations and tips to get tasty and healthy tubers.