Table Potato Research Articles

KUFRI DAKSH: A NEW WATER-USE EFFICIENT TABLE POTATO VARIETY WITH CROSS TOLERANCE TO HIGH TEMPERATURE STRESS

Kufri (K) Daksh is a main season, medium maturing, high yielding, water-use-efficient table potato variety that can be grown in regions with limited water availability. It is a clonal selection from the cross between CP1748, having high water use efficiency and LT-1 tolerating high temperature stress. Its plants are tall and vigorous with field resistance to late blight. Its tubers are white-cream (light yellow), ovoid with shallow to medium eyes and cream flesh with good keeping quality. It is fertilizer responsive and can yield 30-35 t/ha under low water (≤ 20%) availability in middle Gangetic plains. K Daksh has better trade-off for high CO2 gain and low water loss through optimization in plant canopy leaf area and plant height components. K Daksh can be an excellent choice to tolerate high temperature and water stress regimes in changing climatic scenarios.

Impact of biopreparations on the phytopathological state of potato plants

Given the frequent use of chemical agents for the control of potato diseases, it is crucial to explore protective measures that consider agroecological aspects. This study aimed to determine the impact of biological preparations on the development of late blight and alternariosis in potatoes. Research on the effects of biopreparations on the main diseases of potatoes was conducted over three years under field conditions at the Volyn State Agricultural Research Station of the Institute of Potato Growing of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine. The experimental design, disease diagnosis, and assessment of the technical efficacy of biological preparations against potato diseases were performed according to established methodologies. The experiments revealed that the application of biopreparations under various conditions leads to a reduction in the intensity of late blight and alternariosis in potatoes, as well as contributing to the preservation of yield. Lower disease development and higher efficacy of biopreparations were observed in the context where the biodestructor Ekostern (1.2 L/ha) and the biopreparation MycoHelp (2.0 L/ha) were applied, alongside three rounds of plant spraying with various biological preparations – Agat-25K, Regoplant, PhytoHelp, and Stimpo. Among these, PhytoHelp, with an application rate of 1.0 L/ha, exhibited the highest technical efficacy. The use of biological preparations in different contexts increased potato tuber yield. Specifically, with the application of MycoHelp at 2.0 L/ha and the spraying of plants with various biological agents, the preserved yield ranged from 1.71 to 2.02 t/ha. The application of biopreparations alongside the use of Ekostern at 1.2 L/ha and MycoHelp at 2.0 L/ha contributed to yield increases across various treatments, ranging from 1.6 to 2.21 t/ha. The obtained results are deemed useful for enhancing the effectiveness of the integrated protection system for potatoes against specific diseases and for developing organic cultivation technologies for table potatoes on sod-podzolic soils

Impact of biopreparations on the phytopathological state of potato plants

Given the frequent use of chemical agents for the control of potato diseases, it is crucial to explore protective measures that consider agroecological aspects. This study aimed to determine the impact of biological preparations on the development of late blight and alternariosis in potatoes. Research on the effects of biopreparations on the main diseases of potatoes was conducted over three years under field conditions at the Volyn State Agricultural Research Station of the Institute of Potato Growing of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine. The experimental design, disease diagnosis, and assessment of the technical efficacy of biological preparations against potato diseases were performed according to established methodologies. The experiments revealed that the application of biopreparations under various conditions leads to a reduction in the intensity of late blight and alternariosis in potatoes, as well as contributing to the preservation of yield. Lower disease development and higher efficacy of biopreparations were observed in the context where the biodestructor Ekostern (1.2 L/ha) and the biopreparation MycoHelp (2.0 L/ha) were applied, alongside three rounds of plant spraying with various biological preparations – Agat-25K, Regoplant, PhytoHelp, and Stimpo. Among these, PhytoHelp, with an application rate of 1.0 L/ha, exhibited the highest technical efficacy. The use of biological preparations in different contexts increased potato tuber yield. Specifically, with the application of MycoHelp at 2.0 L/ha and the spraying of plants with various biological agents, the preserved yield ranged from 1.71 to 2.02 t/ha. The application of biopreparations alongside the use of Ekostern at 1.2 L/ha and MycoHelp at 2.0 L/ha contributed to yield increases across various treatments, ranging from 1.6 to 2.21 t/ha. The obtained results are deemed useful for enhancing the effectiveness of the integrated protection system for potatoes against specific diseases and for developing organic cultivation technologies for table potatoes on sod-podzolic soils

Nutritional Value of Coloured Flesh Potato Tubers in Terms of Their Micronutrient Content

The aim of this study was to compare Fe, Zn, Mn, Al and Li contents in table potato tubers, obtained from seven potato cultivars with different flesh colour, and one cultivar characterised by light-coloured flesh. The study material consisted of potato tubers produced in a one-factor field experiment carried out at the Agricultural Experimental Station in Zawady belonging to the University of Siedlce, Poland (52°03′ N, 22°33′ E) in 2021–2023. The following cultivars were tested: Eurostar (light yellow flesh), Rote Emmalie and Herbie 26 (red flesh), Provita, Salad Blue, Blaue Annelise, Vitelotte Noire and Bora Valley (purple and blue flesh). The study showed that the genetic characteristics of the cultivars determined the nutrient content and uptake with tuber yield. Of the tested minerals which are important for human nutrition (Fe, Zn, Mn), red and purple cultivars accumulated more Fe than the light yellow-fleshed Eurostar. Zn content was the highest in red-fleshed cultivars compared with light and purple-fleshed cultivars. Mn content was the highest in the tubers of the light yellow-fleshed Eurostar and lowest in red Rote Emmalie. Fe, Zn, Mn and Al contents and uptake with tuber yield were influenced by weather conditions during the growing season.

Особенности возделывания среднеспелого столового сорта картофеля Пламя

Цель исследований – определить реакцию нового среднеспелого сорта картофеля Пламя селекции ФГБНУ «ФИЦ картофеля имени А.Г. Лорха» на сроки посадки и приемы внесения минеральных удобрений по продуктивности и показателям качества клубней. Опыты проводили в 2021–2023 годах на экспериментальной базе «Коренево» ФГБНУ «ФИЦ картофеля имени А.Г. Лорха» (Московская область) на дерново-подзолистой почве с низким содержанием гумуса (1,7–1,9%), высоким – подвижного фосфора (269–378 мг/кг) и ниже среднего – обменного калия (128–130 мг/кг). Изучали три приема внесения: 1. N90P90K135при нарезке гребней (контроль); 2. Дробное (N60P60K90при нарезке гребней + подкормка N30P30K45) через 7–10 дней после всходов; 3. Дробное (N30P30K45при нарезке гребней + подкормка N30P30K45через 7–10 дней после всходов + подкормка N30P30K45) в фазе бутонизации. Изучали два срока посадки: 1. Ранний (3-я декада апреля при температуре почвы не ниже +5–7 °C); 2. Контроль – через 7–10 дней после первого срока. Выявлено, что ранняя посадка ускоряла появление всходов на 4–6, а бутонизацию и цветение – на 3–7 дней, чем посадка в более поздний срок. На вариантах с ранней посадкой и дробным внесением удобрений (N60Р60К90 + подкормка N30Р30К45) высота растений, масса ботвы и площадь листовой поверхности растений в среднем были выше на 4,0 см, 1,8 т/га и 3,7 тыс /га соответственно в сравнении с более поздней посадкой и единовременным внесением удобрений. При этом максимальная урожайность в среднем за годы исследований составляла 34,2 т/га. Влияние срока посадки на урожайность достигала 31% от действия всех факторов в опыте. Условный доход при ранней посадке и дробном внесении удобрений (N60Р60К90 и подкормка N30Р30К45) составил 313272 р/га, что на 58 тыс. р/га больше по сравнению с более поздней посадкой и единовременным внесением удобрений N90Р90К135. The purpose of the research is to determine the reaction of a new medium-ripened potato variety Plamya of selection of the Russian Potato Research Centre on planting dates and methods of applying mineral fertilizers in terms of productivity and quality indicators of tubers. The experiments were carried out in 2021–2023 at the Korenevo experimental base of the Russian Potato Research Centre (Moscow Region) on sod-podzolic soil with a low humus content (1.7–1.9%), high mobile phosphorus (269–378 mg/kg) and below average exchangeable potassium (128–130 mg/kg). Three methods of application were studied: 1. N90P90K135when cutting ridges (control); 2. Fractional (N60P60K90when cutting ridges + top dressing N30P30K45) 7–10 days after germination; 3. Fractional (N30P30K45when cutting ridges + top dressing N30P30K45 7–10 days after germination + top dressing N30P30K45) in the budding phase. We studied two planting dates: 1. Early (3rd decade of April at a soil temperature of at least 5–7 °C); 2. Control – 7–10 days after the first term. It was revealed that early planting accelerated the emergence of seedlings on plantings by 4–6, and budding and flowering by 3–7 days, than planting at a later date. In the variants with early planting and fractional fertilization (N60P60K90 + top dressing N30P30K45), plant height, top weight and leaf surface area of plants were on average higher by 4.0 cm, 1.8 t/ha and 3.7 thousand m2/ha, respectively, compared with later planting and one-time fertilization. At the same time, the maximum yield averaged 34.2 t/ha over the years of research. The effect of the planting period on yield reached 31% of the effect of all factors in the experiment. The conditional income from early planting and fractional fertilization (N60P60K90 and top dressing N30P30K45) amounted to 313272 r/ha, which is 58 thousand r/ha more than with later planting and one-time fertilization N90P90K135.

Performance of six potato genotypes as raw material for the national potato chip industry

Industries that process potato chips still use imported raw materials because the potatoes grown by farmers are table potato varieties that are not suitable for making chips. The research aims to obtain raw material varieties suitable for national chips industry. The study was arranged using a Randomized Complete Block Design with 4 Replications. The number of genotypes tested was 6 genotypes derived from breeding programs of Ministry of Agriculture, the plant population per plot was 60 plants. The test results obtained the Bonito Agrihorti variety with very good quality attributes of processed chips such as high Specific Gravity (Sg) of 1.080, low reducing sugar of 0.07%, high starch content of 11.44% and also high yield productivity of 24.5 ton Ha-1. Test frying was obtained that Bonito Agrihorti showed excellent due to taste, chip color, crispness, appearance with a score of 4. The impact of the results of this study can be used as a recommendation for potato chip growers as well as industries to use the Bonito Agrihorti variety as an industrial raw material and can substitute imports industrial potato raw materials.

Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses identify external conditions and key genes underlying high levels of toxic glycoalkaloids in tubers of stress-sensitive potato cultivars.

High levels of toxic steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs) in potato tubers constitute a recognized food quality problem. Tuber SGA levels vary between potato cultivars and can increase after post-harvest stresses such as wounding and light exposure. A few cultivars, e.g., 'Magnum Bonum' and 'Lenape,' have been withdrawn from commercial sales due to excessive SGA levels during some cultivation years. However, these sudden SGA increases are diffucult to predict, and their causes are not understood. To identify external and genetic factors that underlie sudden SGA increases in certain potato cultivars, we have here in a 2-year study investigated 'Magnum Bonum' and five additional table potato cultivars for their SGA levels after wounding and light exposure. Results showed that 'Magnum Bonum' has an unusual strong SGA response to light exposure, but not to wounding, whereas 'Bintje' displayed an opposite regulation. Levels of calystegine alkaloids were not significantly altered by treatments, implicating independent metabolic regulation of SGA and calystegine levels also under conditions of high SGA accumulation. Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses identified a small number of key genes whose expression correlated with SGA differences between cultivars. Overexpression of two key genes in transgenic low-SGA potato cultivars increased their leaf SGA levels significantly. The results show that a strong response to light can underlie the SGA peaks that occasionally occur in certain potato cultivars and indicate that a between-cultivar variation in the expression of single SGA key genes can account for cultivar SGA differerences. We propose that current attempts to mitigate the SGA hazard will benefit from an increased consideration of cultivar-dependent SGA responses to post-harvest conditions, particularly light exposure. The identified key SGA genes can now be used as a molecular tool in this work.

Biostimulants improves the content of polyphenol in the potato tubers

Research was conducted to determine the content of total polyphenols (TP) in table potato tubers obtained in a three-year field experiment arranged as a split-plot design with three replicates. The first experimental factor included two potato cultivars: Oberon and Malaga, the second one being an application of the following biostimulants: PlonoStart, Aminoplant, Agro-Sorb Folium and the herbicide Avatar 293 ZC (clomazone + metribuzin). The polyphenol content of potato tubers was determined in the fresh tuber mass by the spectrophotometric method with the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. The tuber content of polyphenols was affected by cultivars and test biostimulants. Cv. Malaga accumulated more polyphenols than cv. Oberon. Biostimulants + herbicide significantly increased an accumulation of polyphenolic compounds compared with tubers cultivated in the control unit which was not treated with the test products.

Genotype specific starch characteristics in relation to resistant starch formation in table potatoes.

Table potatoes are important staple foods with a higher satiety index than rice or pasta, but also reach a higher glycemic index (GI), leading to contradictory dietary recommendations. Previous studies identified resistant starch (RS) content as primary criterium for the GI. Hence, the relevance of starch molecular properties for genotype specific RS formation was investigated. Six common table potato varieties were used to investigate the starch pasting and digestibility in whole tubers and their isolated starches. A Micro-Visco Amylograph was used to simulate the cooking process for isolated starches and determine their pasting curves. In vitro starch digestibility was determined for raw freeze-dried cooked tubers kept at 4 °C for up to 72 h and for isolated starches. Moreover, important molecular starch properties, including granule size distribution, molar mass distribution, amylose content and inter- and intra-molecular structures were determined. The results show substantial differences in starch digestibility and pasting characteristics among genotypes. Soraya starch showed small and low-branched amylopectin and small granule size as characteristics for rapid RS formation in isolated starch, which was not evident in the whole tuber. In contrast, Huckleberry Gold formed RS in the tuber already shortly after cooking, whereas slow RS formation was evident in the isolated starch. The results suggest, that starch structural characteristics play a role in RS formation, but non-starch constituents of the tuber have to be considered as well. The results help to identify breeding goals for varieties with low GI and high nutritional value.

Картофель как пищевой продукт для здоровья и долголетия: современные тенденции и перспективы

The paper highlights the need in a new approach to selection of table potato varieties as a healthy nutrition source in the conditions of cold climate. For the first time, we access the informative value of the use of green plant sprouts in practical potato breeding as an independent study topic accompanied with morphological and biochemical studies related to the search for biomarkers indicating economic characters in potato hybrids. The applicability of the Selyaninov hydrothermal coefficient as a mathematical model parameter of the potato yield increment dynamics with account to agro-meteorological forecast in order to specify the beginning time of potato harvest.

Study of the composition of potatoes by agronomic traits determining its suitability for industrial processing

The study of biochemical quality indicators of 26 new potato hybrids was carried out in order to determine the ones mostly suitable for processing into starch and potato products and for use as table variety. An express method was used to determine dry matter (DM), Evers method was used to determine the total starch content of tubers, the polarimetric method and a glucometer test were used to determine reducing sugars, glycoalkaloids and inorganic phosphorus were determined by spectrophotometric method. There have been selected 5 hybrids suitable for industrial processing and as a source material for breeding. One potato hybrid with 25,06 % content of DM, more than 18,22 % of starch met the requirements for potatoes used for processing into starch and starch products; another potato hybrid can be recommended for the production of fried potato products according to the parameters: DM – 22.40 % starch – 16.18 %, reducing sugars – 0.23 %, glycoalkaloids – 62,0 mg/kg. Three of the studied hybrids with the content of DM of more than 22 %, starch not less than 16%, reducing sugars 0.2-0.4 % and glycoalkaloids 60-126 mg / kg may be used for the production of other types of potato products. The rest of the hybrids can only be recommended for use as table potatoes. The relationship between indicators affecting the quality of potato products has been revealed. Correlations were established between the mass fractions of: dry matter and starch in the tuber (r = 0.98) – high correlation; reducing sugars and glycoalkaloids (r = 0.68); tuber dry matter and glycoalkaloids (r = 0.59); dry matter and glucose (r = -0.61); starch and glucose (r = -0.58) – average correlations. It has been established that the mass fraction of reducing sugars and the direction of rotation of the plane of polarization of light by sugars change non-linearly under different temperature conditions of sample storage.

Combination of effective use of irrigation and mineral nutritionfor growing table potatoes

The relevance of the study is conditioned by a decrease in the moisture supply of agricultural crops during the growing season due to climate changes and a tendency to reduce the moisture supply of agricultural crops. At the same time, the main approach to solving this problem is to combine fertigation with irrigation. The purpose of the study is to establish the dependence of the productivity of potatoes on the intensive farming system when using irrigation. Using the example of an agricultural enterprise typical for the region, the volume of nitrogen fertilisers applied to fully provide the crop during the growing season is estimated. To obtain scientific results, an analytical search was carried out and a field, laboratory, and statistical methods of processing the results were applied. As a result of the research, the distribution of nitrogen in comparison with losses in combination with organogenesis phases was optimised. To ensure communication between the plant, soil, and fertilisers, CAM 32 was used in doses of N30N15, which affected the structural indicators of the potato crop. When applying CAM 32 (N30) + H2O, the weight of tubers was obtained at the level of 4.65 kg/m2, and the yield increase was 0.5 t/ha. When using nitrogen with MgSO4, the yield increased to 1.5 t/ha compared to the control. In the process of transformation, it was found that the use of nitrogen nutrition CAM 32 (N15) + MgSO4 + Ca(NO3)2 + H2O contributed to the most intensive development of tuber mass up to 4.85 kg/m2 compared to the control – 4.6 kg/m2. In the final product, an increase in the fraction was observed and amounted to more than 55 g/plant. The analysis of yield indicates a positive trend in the use of nitrogen nutrition, where the increase was 2.5 t/ha. The studied data can be applied by agricultural producers in the Forest-Steppe and Polissia zones to obtain high yield gains when growing potatoes

Determination of suitability of different potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties with white and pigmented pulp for processing into potato products

The article provides an overview of the current state of research in the field of requirements for the quality of potatoes for processing them into potato products. It is noted that the quality of potatoes with white pulp is determined by the mass fraction of: dry matter over 20 %; reducing sugars 0.2-0.5 %, glycoalkaloids no more than 200 mg/kg; starch not less than 16 %. For potatoes with pigmented pulp in addition to these indicators it is necessary to take into account the mass fraction of anthocyanins (over 0.5 %), which are effective antioxidants. The review presents the information on changes in the content of glycoalkaloids in potato tubers with pigmented pulp depending on the type of processing. The objective of experimental research is to analyze the qualitative indicators of native potato varieties with white and pigmented pulp to determine the practicability of their processing into potato products and further using as a starting material for selection. As research objects were selected 21 potato varieties with white pulp and 8 potato varieties with pigmented (colored) pulp. As a result of evaluation of the feasibility of using potatoes with white pulp 7 varieties out of 21 varieties of potatoes can be recommended for the production of potato products (Kamelot, Fritella, Rubin, Triumf, Ariya, Izyuminka, Mirazh). It is shown that the program «Statistica 12» can be used to assess the quality of potatoes on indicators of their suitability for processing into potato products. It was determined that the mass fraction of glycoalkaloids in the potato tuber is an important characteristic of the variety for its using in the production of potato products and as a table potato. Correlations between the mass fraction of potato dry matter and the mass fraction of glycoalkaloids (r = 0.47) and between the mass fraction of reducing sugars and the mass fraction of glycoalkaloids (r = 0.37) were established. The increasing in the mass fraction of these compounds is unwanted, and therefore, it is necessary to control their concentrations for choosing varieties for processing and as a starting material for the selection. Based on the analysis of the results of the evaluation of 8 experimental samples of potatoes with pigmented pulp, one sample was selected to be recommended for processing into potato products (VNIIKX-1), and two samples can be recommended as a starting material for the selection of table varieties with a high anthocyanin mass fraction (VNIIKX-4 and Indigo).

Evaluation of new potato hybrids

The hybrids of potatoes of local selection, cultivated in the mountainous zone of North Ossetia-Alania, which have high productivity and quality, suitable for the food industry, have been identified. The studies were carried out in the mountainous zone as the most favorable for breeding and seed production due to the absence of carriers of potato viruses. The morphological, biological, culinary quality indicators, as well as the resistance of the hybrids to diseases, were assessed on a 9-point scale. It was revealed that all the studied breeding hybrids according to the total score meet the requirements for suitability as table potatoes. The average score for hybrids ranged from 6.0 to 8.5. The highest score - 8.5 - got the hybrid 10.11 / 765 as a high-yielding and marketable, disease-resistant, starchy and non-darkening pulp both in raw and boiled form. Hybrids 10.11 / 527, 12.40 / 62, 10.02 / 1951, 10.11 / 1985, 10.11 / 770, 10.11 / 535 (7.1 - 7.8 points) showed good and excellent results.

Allelic variation for alpha-Glucan Water Dikinase is associated with starch phosphate content in tetraploid potato

Key messageAssociation analysis resulted in the identification of specific StGWD alleles causing either an increase or decrease in starch phosphate content which was verified in diploid and tetraploid potato mapping populations.Potatoes are grown for various purposes like French fries, table potatoes, crisps and for their starch. One of the most important aspects of potato starch is that it contains a high amount of phosphate ester groups which are considered to be important for providing improved functionalization after derivatization processes. Little is known about the variation in phosphate content as such in different potato varieties and thus we studied the genetic diversity for this trait. From other studies it was clear that the phosphate content is controlled by a quantitative trait locus (QTL) underlying the candidate gene α-Glucan Water Dikinase (StGWD) on chromosome 5. We performed direct amplicon sequencing of this gene by Sanger sequencing. Sequences of two StGWD amplicons from a global collection of 398 commercial cultivars and progenitor lines were used to identify 16 different haplotypes. By assigning tag SNPs to these haplotypes, each of the four alleles present in a cultivar could be deduced and linked to a phosphate content. A high value for intra-individual heterozygosity was observed (Ho = 0.765). The average number of different haplotypes per individual (Ai) was 3.1. Pedigree analysis confirmed that the haplotypes are identical-by-descent (IBD) and offered insight in the breeding history of elite potato germplasm. Haplotypes originating from introgression of wild potato accessions carrying resistance genes could be traced. Furthermore, association analysis resulted in the identification of specific StGWD alleles causing either an increase or decrease in starch phosphate content varying from 12 nmol PO4/mg starch to 38 nmol PO4/mg starch. These allele effects were verified in diploid and tetraploid mapping populations and offer possibilities to breed and select for this trait.

Effect of herbicide and biostimulants on the economic effect of edible potato cultivation

Background. Profitability is a measure of the economic effect of treatments in protecting potato plants against pests, thus the hypothesis that the applied mechanical and chemical treatments may contribute to an increase in commercial yield in relation to the control object and be profitable despite high costs for protection. The aim of the research was to evaluate the effect of herbicide and biostimulants on the economic effect of edible potato cultivation of the Oberon variety. Material and methods. The field research was carried out in 2018–2020 at the Agricultural Experimental Station of the University of Natural Sciences and Humanities in Siedlce, on medium soil, in a split-plot arrangement, as two-factor in triplicate. The research material was the yields of potato tubers of the mid-early Oberon cultivar. To assess the impact of herbicide and biostimulants on the economic effect of table potato cultivation: 1. control object, 2. Avatar 293ZC (clomazone + metribuzin), 3. Avatar 293ZC + biostimulant PlonoStart, 4. Avatar 293ZC + biostimulant Aminoplant, 5. Avatar 293ZC + biostimulant Agro-Sorb-Folium was based on the standard gross margin method. Results. Mechanical and chemical treatments increased the marketable yield of tubers by an average of 29.5%, and decreased the by-yield of tubers by an average of 32.4% in relation to the control object. The direct surplus per 1 ha of cultivation from PLN 5,770.0 on the control object to PLN 13,829.6 on the site where the Avatar 293 ZC herbicide and Agro-Sorb Folium biostimulant were used, which indicates that the use of various methods of plant care and nutrition with biostimulants despite high costs of protecting the potato from weeds was profitable. Conclusion. The highest yields of the Oberon variety (general and commercial) and the best economic effect in relations to the control object were obtained using mechanical care and the Avatar 293 ZC herbicide and the Agro-Sorb Folium biostimulant.

The influence of growth regulators on the yield of potato tubers of seed material in the conditions of the mountainous zone of the Kabardino-Balkar Republic

With sufficient provision of mineral macro elements of the soil and an optimized fertilizer system, growth regulators contribute to an increase in the number of tubers laid on one bush. The use of growth regulators dampens the influence of the weather conditions of the year on the diet of plants, which contributes to the growth and development of potatoes. The complex application of growth regulators contributes to the production of leveled seed material, to increase the yield of the seed fraction twice. The effectiveness of using Agrovin Mg-Zn-B is higher than Agrovin Ca by 13%, in terms of total productivity, and in terms of seed yield by 7.8%. Agrovin Ca, in comparison with Agrovin Mg-Zn-B, has a more directed effect on increasing the mass of the tuber than on the number of tubers per plant. The complex use of Agrovin Micro 0.5l/t + Agrovin Mg-Zn-B is more suitable in seed plantation technology, and Agrovin Micro 0.5l/t + Agrovin Sa for the production of table potatoes.

КАНЦЕРОГЕННЫЙ И НЕКАНЦЕРОГЕННЫЙ РИСК ДЛЯ НАСЕЛЕНИЯ ОТ ПОТРЕБЛЕНИЯ КАРТОФЕЛЯ И ОВОЩЕЙ, ВЫРАЩИВАЕМЫХ В ПРЕДЕЛАХ АГРОСЕЛИТЕБНЫХ ЛАНДШАФТОВ

One of the most effective methods of preventing the danger caused by the impact of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic chemicals on humans is to establish the risk of undesirable effects in order to further development methods to minimize it. The purpose of this study is to establish the magnitude of the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk caused by the intake of heavy metals when consuming potatoes and vegetables grown within the agro-residential landscapes of Gorki, as well as when contaminants enter the human body by the oral, inhalation and percutaneous route directly from the soil. It has been established that the maximum contribution to the exposure of Cu, Zn, Mn and Cd entering the body of the adult population of the city of Gorki is made by beetroot, potatoes and white cabbage. Table carrots and potatoes make the maximum contribution to the exposure of Cu and Cd for the child population, while the main sources of Zn, Mn, and Pb intake are potatoes and white cabbage. The total level of carcinogenic risk from the consumption of potatoes and vegetables due to such carcinogens as Pb and Cd is estimated as average according to the international criterion scale. The non-carcinogenic risk to the health of both adults and children due to inhalation, oral and percutaneous intake of heavy metals from contaminated soil is assessed as negligible, and the carcinogenic risk is at an acceptable level. The results of the studies performed can be used to develop a risk management strategy for the population due to pollution of urban soils, potatoes and vegetables with heavy metals, providing for the sequential passage of the following stages: comparative assessment and ranking of risk; determination of risk acceptability levels; risk reduction and control; response to risk.

Growing Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) Hydroponically in Wood Fiber—A Preliminary Case-Study Report

Potato contributes highly to the global food security. It is predicted that the production of this crop will be negatively affected by future climatic changes. Application of hydroponics for table potato production can mitigate crop loss in highly vulnerable regions. A preliminary small-scale case-study was performed to test theoretical perspectives of hydroponic production of table potatoes in wood fiber by comparing different fiber types and fertigation strategies. Potatoes were also grown in the field to obtain a reference control. Hydroponic production of potato in a stand-alone wood fiber resulted in ca. 200% higher yield, when compared to standard soil cultivation. However, the quality of the tubers was slightly reduced (lower dry matter content). Productivity of table potatoes was affected by the growing medium and fertigation strategy. Production of potatoes in wood fiber is possible and, in the future, might complement the conventional production systems, or even become an important alternative in locations where in-field cultivation is not possible. Nevertheless, the effect of wood fiber properties and the applied fertigation strategy on yield potential and tuber quality should be further studied. Optimization of these factors will be a topic of a following full-scale research.

‘Vychegodsky’: a new potato cultivar for the Republic of Komi

Background. The presented information refers to the completed stage of the breeding process carried out at the Institute of Agrobiotechnologies (Syktyvkar) that led to the development of a new mid-early table potato variety – ‘Vychegodsky’. This cultivar was obtained from controlled crossing of cvs. Svitanok Kievsky × Amadeus. The new variety underwent a comprehensive assessment for the main agronomic traits and genetic screening for resistance to wart disease, nematode, and viruses X and Y.Materials and methods. In 2020, according to the results of production tests performed in 2017–2019, the description of the new cv. ‘Vychegodsky’ was finalized. The registered cv. ‘Nevsky’ was chosen as the reference. The study was conducted in the Institute’s experiment fields with a six-field crop rotation, which ensured high soil fertility without the use of mineral or organic fertilizers. The soil was soddy-podzolic. The planting scheme was 70 × 30 cm, at a depth of 8–10 cm, over the experimental plot area of 52.5 m2 (250 tubers), with four replications.Results. The mid-early cultivar ‘Vychegodsky’ is described as follows: the plant is erect, 50–65 cm in height; tubers are roundish-oval, with yellow skin color and light yellow flesh. The studies have shown that in its agronomic traits in the Republic of Komi cv. ‘Vychegodsky’ exceeds the reference cv. ‘Nevsky’. Its yield is 34.3 t/ha, and its marketable tuber weight 55.1 g; it contains 15.7% of starch, 24.1% of dry matter, and 11.2 mg% of vitamin C. The cultivar demonstrates high field resistance to major potato diseases, and genetically determined resistance to wart disease and golden potato nematode.Conclusion. Thus, a new potato cultivar has been released and included into the State Register of Selection Achievements (National List of the Russian Federation).