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Potatoes are the second bread on the Russian table. Most dishes are prepared using this vegetable. Now it is difficult to imagine that a thousand years ago they did not want to eat it. Every year, breeders grow more and more new varieties, and one of them is the Azhur potato.
The history of the creation of the variety
The history of potatoes began during the reign of Peter I. At that time, there was even a “potato riot”, where people stubbornly refused to grow and eat an unfamiliar vegetable brought from Holland, to which the king responded with cunning. Instead of forcing the peasants, he set up guards near the fields where the potatoes grew, and took them off at night. Thus, it aroused the curiosity of people who have always preferred to taste the forbidden fruit. Now potatoes are widely grown throughout Russia.
Potatoes Azhur
As a result of experiments on potatoes, new varieties began to appear, one of which was the seed potato Azhur Elite. Compared to other varieties, this is a completely young vegetable. It was withdrawn in Russia, in 2017 it was recorded in the state register of the Russian Federation. The cultivar was developed by the Sedek agricultural company.
It is recommended to grow the vegetable in the Central regions of the country. This includes areas such as:
- Moscow;
- Ivanovskaya;
- Vladimirskaya;
- Ryazan;
- Kaluga;
- Bryansk.
Since the variety ripens early, it can be harvested as early as July, which allows two harvests per year in the southern parts of Russia. What a potato variety Azhur is, the description of the variety will tell gardeners in detail.
Description of the Azhur variety and its characteristics
The Azhur variety belongs to medium early potato varieties. The variety fully ripens after 75-85 days after the first shoots appear. The first young tubers can be dug in a month and a half.
The bush grows up to half a meter in height, has a spreading shape and strong stems. The leaves are large, slightly wrinkled with waves along the edge. The color of the stem and leaves is deep green. At the top, an inflorescence is formed that has a light lilac color with a gray tint.
Flowering potatoes
Ripe tubers are oval in shape and do not grow too large. Their peel is dark pink, smooth, with small eyes. In the section, you can see the yellow pulp. Openwork has excellent taste with a pronounced aroma.
Tubers have a maximum weight of 100-120 grams. At the same time, there are up to 10 root crops under the bush. Thus, from one hectare, you can collect at least fifty tons of potatoes. In addition, this variety has one feature, namely, all the potatoes under the bush have the same shape. There are very few small root crops.
Due to their high starch content, these varietal potatoes are widely used for cooking. It is especially tasty when fried. It is also used to prepare first courses and soups.
Planting potatoes
Seed potatoes Azhur can be planted from mid-April to May. The earth should warm up to +12 degrees. At the same time, it is better to plant on time, since changes in air temperature can adversely affect the germination of planted tubers. The area for potatoes should be flat and well lit from all directions by the sun's rays. It is best if this area has previously been grown with winter crops or legumes.You should also avoid neighborhoods such as tomatoes or garden trees, in particular apple trees.
Preparing for landing
In the autumn period, fertilizers must be applied to the land where it is planned to plant Azhur potatoes:
- humus or peat;
- superphosphate;
- potassium sulfate;
- wood ash.
Fertilized soil must be disinfected and thoroughly dug up. In the spring, before planting, the area must be loosened and leveled with a rake. Thus, the roots of the potato bushes will receive moisture and fresh air.
Potatoes are planted in the hole
Potato tubers are also prepared for planting. They are pre-germinated throughout the crescent. But before that, only healthy, undamaged tubers are chosen. Disinfection is carried out with boric acid, sprayed with a solution of potassium permanganate. Ash infusion can be used as an alternative. Then the potatoes are dried and laid out in a place fully illuminated by the sun. The air in the room should be warmed up to +16 degrees.
The landing itself is done as follows:
- pits up to 10 centimeters deep are dug;
- a parameter is selected between the bushes of 25 centimeters, between the rows - 50 centimeters;
- additionally, you can put fertilizer on the bottom of the hole and sprinkle it with earth;
- tubers are placed and covered with earth.
Care
Varietal potatoes Azhur do not require any special care. It will be enough to do timely watering, loosening and hilling. Also, weeds must be removed from the area where this vegetable grows.
Watering
Regardless of the fact that Azhur easily tolerates drought, timely watering will only benefit the future harvest. This procedure should be done every two weeks, in the evening or early in the morning. In this case, the water consumption should be at the rate of 50 liters of water per square meter. If there is a sufficient amount of rainfall during the season, then watering may not be done.
Loosening
After some time, the earth begins to dry out and a hard crust forms. It must be broken up by loosening. Also, some gardeners practice mulching potato bushes. This not only prevents the evaporation of moisture from the soil, but also serves as a kind of protection against weeds.
Hilling
It is necessary to huddle potato bushes Azhur several times per season. In this case, the interval must be maintained up to 20 days. It is important that during the flowering period, this procedure must be carried out with extreme caution, since tubers begin to develop, and hilling can damage the young potatoes. The process should be carried out only in cloudy weather and with a damp ground surface.
Hilling rows of potatoes
Top dressing
Fertilizers for potatoes Azhur are applied three times during the period of its growth. The first time - organic fertilizers are applied after germination. Then, before flowering, fertilize with solutions of potassium sulfate, wood ash and urea. During the flowering period, both organic and mineral fertilizers are applied.
Diseases and pests
Openwork is not affected by diseases such as potato cancer and scab, but it can suffer from golden nematodes or late blight.
The pests affecting Azhur potatoes are:
- Colorado beetle;
- mole;
- bear;
- wireworm.
To combat them, gardeners use drugs such as:
- Aktara;
- Prestige;
- Corado;
- Regent.
Harvesting
Harvest begins from late June to mid-July. Fully ripe tubers are harvested in August. Signs of full maturity are yellowed bushes with fallen leaves. It should be remembered that potatoes should not be overexposed in the ground. This can lead to contamination of the tubers with bacteria.
Harvesting
Harvesting is done with a pitchfork, which is used to undermine the bushes. After that, the potatoes are sorted out and only healthy tubers are selected. They are stored in a well-dried cellar or in a specially prepared pit. Openwork has a long shelf life under appropriate conditions.
Advantages and disadvantages
Having studied what Azhur potatoes are, a description of the variety, you can determine its advantages over other varieties:
- this type of potato ripens early;
- has excellent quality and taste;
- brings a good harvest;
- persists for a long time;
- tolerates drought.
The disadvantage is that it is affected by diseases and pests. The first young tubers are easily damaged.
Potato Azhur, although quite young, but its characteristics and excellent quality have made this variety popular among gardeners. Due to its high yield, it is also grown by mass producers. In cooking, this vegetable has also become in demand because of its taste and aroma.
