High-yielding purple potato variety “Cornflower” from domestic breeders
The potato variety Cornflower is one of the achievements of Russian breeders. It is superior to its Soviet predecessors (Sineglazka, Tsyganka and Chugunka) in terms of productivity and the content of useful substances in the tubers. To grow Cornflower and get a rich harvest, you need knowledge of planting features and proper care.
What kind of potato is this?
Cornflower is a table variety bred at VNIIKH named after. A. G. Lorja for cultivation in the central regions of the country. These are mid-early ripening potatoes. It takes 80–90 days from planting to harvest.
Cornflower is grown following standard agricultural practices. It is distinguished by average resistance to diseases and parasites. We are talking about potato cancer, scab, late blight, and viruses. The plant is susceptible to nematodes.
Potatoes of this variety are used for preparing dietary dishes and baby food. It contains from 12 to 15% starch. Potatoes are distinguished by a high content of ascorbic acid, tocopherol, and carotenoids. Thanks to its rich vitamin composition, the variety is good for health.
Two potatoes contain the same amount of vitamin C as one lemon. The carotenoids present in tubers have antioxidant properties. They promote the normal functioning of the genitourinary system and protect the body from fungal and bacterial infections.
Origin and development
The Cornflower variety is the result of 5 years of work by domestic breeders.It was bred by crossing Chugunka with the hybrid D-31-88. The work of breeders was aimed at creating a fortified vegetable crop, whose root crops, when grown, would absorb less nitrates compared to traditional potato varieties.
Cornflower was registered in the Russian Federation register under No. 9253214 in 2014. The patent for it belongs to the All-Russian Research Institute of Potato Farming named after. A. G. Lorkha.
Cornflower was bred for cultivation mainly in the central part of the country. It is ideal for the conditions of the Central, Central Black Earth, and Northwestern regions of Russia.
Distinctive features, appearance
As can be seen in the photo, the Cornflower variety is characterized by elongated oval tubers. They are covered with a smooth violet-blue skin with small superficial eyes. The sprouts are also characterized by a dark purple color.
The pulp is creamy, juicy and dense in consistency. It is moderately starchy, mealy and watery.
Potatoes have good taste characteristics. Tubers are cooked sparingly are boiling over, and the flesh does not darken.
The uniformity of size, shape and elasticity of potatoes makes the variety convenient for storage.
Description and characteristics of the plant and crop
When grown, the mid-early variety Cornflower produces medium-tall, semi-erect bushes with strong tops of a bright green hue. Medium sized open leaves. The small flower corollas are reddish-violet in color.
The bush produces from 9 to 14 potatoes per season, weighing 80–120 g each. From 1 hectare you can harvest 20–48 tons of crop, from 1 hectare - about 70 kg.
The marketability of the crop ranges from 70 to 95%, and the keeping quality is 96%.
How to grow this variety
Cornflower is easy to grow and easy to care for. To get a high yield, it is important to correctly select seed material, prepare and fertilize the soil.
Dates, scheme and rules of planting
Potato variety Cornflower is replanted in the middle or end of March, when there are no longer night frosts. Seed material is prepared starting from the last month of winter:
- For planting, potatoes of the correct shape are selected, without damage or signs of disease. The optimal weight of each is from 55 to 75 g.
- The tubers are evenly laid out in one layer for germination. It is advisable to sprinkle them with sawdust and irrigate them with water daily, using a spray bottle for this purpose.
- The day before, the seed material is treated with a solution of copper sulfate prepared from 10 liters of water and 1 tbsp. l. copper sulfate powder. This measure will protect potatoes from diseases.
- Having carried out preventive spraying, the tubers are dried and transferred to a warm, well-lit place, where they will warm up and germinate.
Cornflower is a light-loving variety. It is preferable to grow it in a garden area that is open to sunlight and protected from drafts.
Before planting, the soil is treated to create a comfortable temperature and air conditions. Organic fertilizers are added to heavy soil, and peaty-boggy soil is pre-cultivated.
It is advisable to plant in the ground where green manure previously grew. It is acceptable to grow Cornflower after beans, cabbage, cucumbers, and pumpkins.
Potatoes weighing 55–75 g are planted in accordance with one of the following schemes:
- 60×30 cm;
- 60×25 cm;
- 70×20 cm.
Care
To get a good harvest, it is important to follow the following recommendations:
- 14 days after planting, when shoots appear en masse, the inter-row space is loosened deeply (7 cm).
- If late spring frosts are predicted, the seedlings mount high.
- The first hilling is started when the tops reach a height of 15 cm, the second - when they close.
- Plants are watered as needed, and during the flowering period, when tubers are formed, they begin to actively water the bushes. 1 bush requires at least 2 liters of water.
- In drought conditions, mandatory irrigation is required. It is carried out at least 3 times during the growing season.
- When growing potatoes of the Cornflower variety, it is necessary to treat late blight with preparations with a high copper content. It is carried out at least 3 times per season.
- An alternative to regular weeding is mulching the soil. It reduces the growth rate of weeds and conserves moisture.
Cornflower potato plantings require fertilizing:
- a solution of bird droppings in a ratio of 1:10 to water;
- urea diluted in water 1:10;
- manure with water 1:10;
- fermented herbal infusions;
- phosphorus (foliar fertilizing).
Nuances of cultivation and possible difficulties, control of diseases and pests
Cornflower loves warmth and sunlight. At temperatures below 0°C the plant dies. For potatoes to germinate and produce tubers, temperatures above +10°C are required. In hot summer conditions (from +25°C to +30°C), the crop does well with frequent, abundant watering.
The variety is moisture-loving. Plants do not tolerate drought well and require good watering.
Cornflower is resistant to diseases and pests (except nematodes). Plants may be affected by late blight. Preparations containing copper and mineral fertilizers help protect against it.Insecticides and fungicidal solutions are used to neutralize mosaic viruses. Fungicides “Ditan” and “Prestige” are effective against scab and rot.
In the fight against beetles and larvae, the use of wormwood-ash tincture is recommended. The remedy is also effective against nematodes. An alternative to it is store-bought drugs like Albit. You can protect plants from the Colorado potato beetle by adding wood ash to the hole when planting.
For preventative purposes, experts recommend treating tubers with fungicides before planting. In the absence of spring sanitary treatment, spraying of already mature plants is required.
Collection, storage and use of crops
Providing good conditions for plants, using high-quality seed and fertilizers is the key to obtaining a high yield. It is collected in late summer or early autumn.
Cornflower potatoes can be stored for 3 to 4 months. In conditions of high humidity there is a risk of tubers sprouting.
A dry place out of direct sunlight is suitable for storage. It is important to ensure good air circulation and temperature conditions not exceeding +3°C.
Potatoes of this variety have pleasant taste characteristics. His use for food in boiled, fried and baked form.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Among the advantages of the Cornflower variety:
- the possibility of obtaining a harvest 70 days after planting;
- no need for frequent hilling due to the compactness of the bush;
- high yield;
- resistance to diseases and pests;
- high content of vitamins, antioxidant properties;
- pleasant taste.
Among the few disadvantages are:
- plant susceptibility to nematodes and rot pathogens;
- rapid germination of tubers, making it difficult to store the crop in winter;
- in acidic soil conditions the variety does not produce a good harvest.
For which regions is it best suited?
Breeders developed the Cornflower variety for cultivation in the central part of Russia. Plants feel good throughout the country, except for its northern part. The culture is undemanding to soil and climate.
The maximum yield is achieved when grown on light, fertile soil in the climatic conditions of the central regions.
Farmer reviews
Although the Cornflower variety is new, it has many positive reviews from farmers and gardeners.
Tatyana, Ryazan: «Cornflower is similar to the Blue Danube and Gypsy varieties. A little small, but there are a lot of potatoes in the bush. Disadvantage: affected by scab.”
Irina, Kursk: “I planted Cornflower, Blueberry, Kolobok and Charodey on the plantations. Cornflower gave the greatest harvest (0.5 kg yielded 12–15 kg). I don’t really like that the variety gets a little soft when cooked.”
Nina, Nizhny Novgorod: “Cornflower potatoes do not like overly alkaline or acidic soil. To determine if the soil acidity is suitable for growing this variety, pay attention to the weeds growing in the area. If dandelions with coltsfoot and wheatgrass bloom profusely on the plantation, you can safely plant Cornflower. It will feel great in such land and will produce a good harvest.”
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Conclusion
The Cornflower variety has an unusual color and good taste. It is suitable for boiling, frying and pureeing.Proper care is the key to obtaining a large harvest. It is necessary to adhere to the rules of crop rotation and not plant cornflowers after nightshades.
To obtain high-quality tubers, it is important to apply fertilizers, water and hill up the bushes in a timely manner.