High-yielding, unpretentious table potato variety "Innovator"
The Innovator variety appeared on the Russian market more than 10 years ago. Due to its resistance to unstable weather conditions, it has become widespread in different regions of the country.
This high-yielding table potato is marketable, is one of the ten best varieties for baking, and is immune to many nightshade diseases.
Description of the variety
Potato The innovator is distinguished by high yields, ease of care, and good taste.. Medium-sized farms use it as the main representative of the crop for cultivation - due to its good shelf life.
Origin and development
The innovator was bred by Dutch breeders. On the territory of the Russian Federation it was included in the State Register in 2002. The new variety was intended for commercial production, but is also grown in household plots.
Chemical composition, trace elements and vitamins
Potatoes 100 g (% of daily value) contains from 12 to 15% starch. It contains:
ascorbic acid – 24%;- boron – 164%;
- vanadium – 373%;
- vitamin K – 13.3%;
- iron – 15.5%;
- potassium – 23%;
- cobalt – 50%;
- silicon – 167%;
- lithium – 77%;
- manganese – 16%;
- copper – 14%;
- molybdenum – 11%;
- pyridoxine – 15%;
- rubidium – 500%;
- folic and nicotinic acid – 10.5% each;
- oxalic acid – 7.8%.
Important! The composition of tubers includes replaceable and essential amino acids, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, and purine bases. The volume of purines in 100 g is 5% of the daily value, which should be taken into account by patients with gout.
Ripening period
Potatoes belong to the mid-early group. Full ripening of the variety takes place in 75-85 days. The first digging during preliminary germination before planting is carried out on the 70th day.
Productivity
If planted correctly and in compliance with the requirements, you can get: on farms from 320 to 330 c/ha, on private plots - from 15 to 30 kg/m2. The maximum volumes of potatoes were collected in the Kirov region - 344 c/ha. Each bush contains from 6 to 10 tubers.
Disease resistance
The variety has genetic immunity to potato canker and pale potato nematode. Average resistance is noted in relation to scab and late blight. Potatoes need protection from rhizoctonia.
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Characteristics of tubers, description of appearance
Innovator has an oblong and oval tuber shape with a weight of 83-147 g. Light yellow peel with slight roughness, flat and small eyes. The pulp is light cream in color with a dense structure. Potatoes retain their color after cooking and are slightly boiled.
Which regions are best suited and climate requirements?
The Innovator variety is recommended for planting in the Central, Volga-Vyatka, and Central Black Earth regions.
Potatoes easily withstand short-term droughts, are suitable for planting in the southern steppe regions, and have become widespread in Siberia.
The main advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The advantages include increased drought resistance and the absence of special soil requirements.
Specialists highlight the following advantages:
- during transportation, the tubers do not develop chips, darkened spots or scratches;
- shows good results when grown from seeds;
- used by processing industries.
The disadvantages include susceptibility to certain diseases. The problem is solved with the help of preventive measures.
What is the difference from other varieties
The difference between Innovator and other types is the absence of increased requirements for watering and soil. Potatoes are resistant to mechanical damage. Easy transportation with minimal losses and high yield have become the hallmark of the variety.
Features of planting and growing
For maximum yield Follow the rules of preliminary preparation for planting work, take into account the peculiarities of care. Violation of standards will negatively affect the quantity of potatoes. Lack of fertilizing and insufficient watering will lead to the appearance of small tubers of unmarketable appearance.
Preparing for landing
Preliminary work to obtain an ultra-early harvest begins 40-50 days before planting.
The algorithm of actions is simple:
- seed potatoes are laid out in boxes in an even layer of 2-3 cm;
- spray with water up to twice a day;
- the first week the temperature regime is maintained at 18-20°C;
- in the second week, reduce the temperature to 15-17°C;
- after 21 days, culling is carried out: tubers with formed skin and sprouted eyes are suitable for planting.
Selected potatoes are laid out in boxes with humus, poured 3-4 cm thick, sprouts up. Peat is sprinkled on top, then a new level begins to be formed. The maximum number of phased stacking in one box should not exceed four rows. Moistening is carried out with a solution of mineral fertilizers.
Soil requirements
Preference is given to slightly acidic or neutral soil reaction. The best yield indicators were noted when collecting tubers from sandy and sandy loam soil. A bucket of sawdust or sand is added to the clay soil per m2. Reducing the acidity level of the soil is carried out with dolomite flour or lime.
Dates, scheme and rules of planting
A month and a half before seasonal work, the potatoes are sorted and germinated. For Russian climatic conditions, own requirements:
- planting work takes place in May, at a soil temperature of 7°C;
- distance between rows from 70 to 75 cm;
- before planting, organic or complex fertilizers are applied to each hole;
- seed material is planted to a depth of 8 to 10 cm - on heavy soils, on light soils - up to 15 cm.
Important! The spacing between holes should be 35 cm. Before planting, pay attention to soil moisture levels. In the fall, compost, superphosphate, and humus are added to the soil and thoroughly plowed.
Features of cultivation
Despite its pronounced resistance to drought, the variety requires timely soil moisture. Particular attention is paid to planting during hot summers or in regions with arid climates. Periodically loosening, weeding, hilling, and fertilizing are carried out.The frequency of procedures depends on the characteristics of the soil and weather conditions.
Nuances of care
The innovator is unpretentious. You cannot count on a decent harvest without watering, pest and disease control, and weeding. Proper care will reduce the number of small tubers from each bush.
Watering mode
The first soil moistening is carried out during the formation of buds, secondary – after flowering. In the future, watering should be moderate, the frequency depends on weather conditions. Excess moisture can cause tuber crops to become infected with rot.
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Top dressing
Common fertilizers include:
- bird droppings - diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 10;
- urea - for 10 liters of liquid take 1 tbsp. a spoonful of the substance, poured under the root, first loosen the soil a little;
- mullein - take 10 liters of water per liter of fresh manure.
Fertilizing is carried out between the rows. Mineral fertilizers are applied in the spring, in compliance with the proportions indicated on the package. Excessive intake of nutrients can negatively affect the harvest and cause plant death.
Weeding and hilling
Loosening of the soil is carried out at least three times during the season. After rains or watering, hilling is recommended:
- first time - 2-3 weeks from the day of planting;
- the second – after the same period after primary treatment;
- the third - a week before flowering.
Attention! Constant loosening of the soil can cause a decrease in the amount of harvest due to overheating of the underground part. In this condition, the plant is more often affected by scab.
The frequency of weeding depends on the type of planting: if pre-sprouted tubers were used, then the procedure takes place three weeks after planting the seedlings and before the bushes flower. In the case of using seed material, as the weed grows, sometimes the first weed removal is done before the first potato sprouts appear.
Disease and pest control
Work is carried out depending on the type of lesion. Late blight is destroyed by spraying copper sulfate - two weeks after germination. To prevent the development of rhizoctonia, seed material is treated with a 1% solution of boric acid before planting; Ditan M-45 (80%) can be used.
Powdery scab requires spraying tubers with a 5% solution of copper sulfate. If the site has been attacked by the golden potato cyst nematode, the tops and plant residues are burned, and the next planting of potatoes is allowed only after four years. The fight against the Colorado potato beetle involves pollinating plants with insecticides.
Harvest and storage
Correctly carried out harvesting work guarantees the safety of tubers and their presentation. Violation of collection requirements will lead to massive rot damage.. High humidity in the storage will cause the spread of fungus.
How and when to collect
Before harvesting, you need to ensure the technical maturity of the potatoes. A thick skin should form on the tubers – with it the harvest will be stored longer. Harvesting is carried out in dry and sunny weather; the tubers remain in the beds until the evening. For the next three days they are left in the shade in the fresh air.
After drying, the potatoes are sorted, placed in boxes and sent to basements and cellars.The exact harvest date varies by region. Preference is given to the last days of August and the beginning of September.
Storage features and keeping quality of the variety
The safety of the variety reaches 95%, it has an average dormant period. Storage time is up to four months, this is an excellent indicator for early potatoes. Before being sent to the basement, the potatoes are sorted, sorted into small and large tubers, treated with anti-fungal agents, and placed in different boxes.
To better preserve the Innovator, use a dark, frost-free basement with a stable temperature +2…+3°C, humidity 70-85%. When storing in boxes, use stands that are placed 15 cm from the floor, away from the walls.
What difficulties may there be when growing
The main problem with caring for this variety is excess moisture due to too frequent watering.. Excess water can cause potatoes to rot. An excess of fertilizing provokes a stop in the growth of bushes, their death, and improperly prepared tubers are exposed to attacks by pests and diseases.
Violation of crop rotation requirements leads to poor plant growth, small potatoes, and reduced yields.
Advice from experienced gardeners and reviews about the Innovator variety
Professional agronomists advise adhering to standard recommendations for fertilizing, watering, hilling, and mulching potatoes Innovator. Before planting, you need to do a soil analysis, normalize the indicators to a neutral level, and treat the seed material and soil.
Anton Nikolaevich, Ryazan region: “I grew Innovator the next year after white cabbage. He sowed 12 hectares and got a good harvest, most of which he sold.The commercial quality is excellent; I used only organic fertilizers for fertilizing.".
Anatoly, Moscow region: “I’ve been growing this variety for the third year in a row, now from my own seeds. I apply organic fertilizers between the beds. Diseases and pests have been spared; potatoes delight us with large tubers and excellent taste.”.
Conclusion
The Innovator variety is used not only by gardeners, but also by farms. Large yields, unpretentiousness and the possibility of long-term storage allowed it to quickly spread throughout the Russian Federation, Ukraine and Moldova.