Ecological and geographical assessment of potato varieties of domestic selection on light chestnut soils of the Lower Volga region

Abstract

Purpose: to characterize the studied varieties by a complex of economically valuable traits and to assess their adaptability to the cultivation zone during irrigation. Materials and methods: 14 potato varieties of domestic selection are being tested under irrigation conditions at the experimental plot of the Volgagrad region. The varieties studied were: the early maturity group Udacha, Gulliver, Meteor, Krepysh; mid-early Ariel, Armada, Commandor, Mechta and mid-season Krasa Meshchery, Vympel, Mirazh, Fritella, Favorit. The Zhukovsky early ripening variety, belonging to the early maturity group, was taken as the standard. Results: according to the phenological observations data, the varieties of the early-maturing group ripened in 78 days; only one variety Krepysh had a vegetation period of 85 days. In plants of the mid-early and mid-season groups, as compared with the early-maturing, the growing season was 7–11 days longer. The varieties Zhukovsky ranniy (early), Komandor, Udacha, Gulliver, Ariel, Mirazh, Krepysh had the maximum mass of tubers by mid-August – from 675 to 480 g, in other varieties it was slightly less and varied from 340 to 290 g. The Zhukovsky ranniy (early) variety had the maximum yield of 50,4 t/ha, and the variety Favorit (mid-season) had the minimum yield was of 19.8 t/ha. Mid-season varieties have accumulated significantly more starch (18.12; 17.39; 16.34; 14.10 % – Fritella, Krasa Meshchery, Vympel, Mirazh) in comparison with early varieties (14.92; 14.01; 13.49; 11.87; 11.66 % – Udacha, Gulliver, Zhukovsky ranniy (early), Krepysh, Meteor). Conclusions: in terms of developing the tubers yield, all varieties passing the ecological-geographical test did not exceed the standard variety Zhukovsky ranniy (early), the total yield of which was 50.4 t/ha. The varieties Commandor, Udacha, Gulliver, Ariel, Mirazh, Armada, Krepysh, Vympel, Krasa Meshchery are inferior by 6.4–16.5 t/ha.