Contents
Potato is one of the main agricultural crops, it is grown in huge quantities. Zekura is the variety that combines not only high productivity, but also excellent taste. As a result, it has become widely used throughout the world.
History of origin
The Zekura potato was bred by German breeders. The goal of their work was to obtain a variety that would meet the following criteria:
- short ripening period;
- rather high resistance to diseases, pests and adverse environmental conditions;
- good taste;
- long shelf life of potatoes.
After several months, and maybe even years of painstaking work, the Zekura variety was bred, which has been successfully grown in Our Country and the CIS countries for more than 20 years.
Description and characteristics
Zekura is a medium height potato bushes, the flowers and the base of the stem of which are purple or reddish in color. The main characteristics of the variety are presented in the table.
Tubers | They have an oblong shape, the eyes are hardly noticeable, the peel is smooth, light yellow in color. |
Starch content | 13-18% |
The mass of the tuber | 60-140 g |
The number of tubers per bush | 15 – 19 |
Productivity | 350-370 centners of potatoes per hectare |
keeping quality | 97-98% |
Disease and pest resistance | Medium resistance to common scab, leafroll virus, late blight |
Resistance to adverse conditions | Drought tolerance |
Tuber ripening period | 3-3,5 months after planting potatoes |
Height of bush | 30-35 see |
Raskidost’ bush | Minimum |
Shelf life in a dark and ventilated room | From 4 months to six months |
Recommended regions for growing the variety | North Caucasian, West Siberian, Far Eastern, Central Black Earth, Middle Volga |
Another distinguishing feature of the variety is the taste of Zekura potatoes. When cooked, it practically does not boil soft and has an excellent taste.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main advantages of the Zekura variety include:
- resistance to diseases and pests;
- unpretentiousness to environmental conditions;
- high percentage of keeping quality;
- roots are even, smooth, without roughness and flaws;
- excellent taste, allowing you to use potatoes for making mashed potatoes, stews and soups;
- the possibility of planting in many climatic zones;
- high yield.
This is one of those varieties that tolerate drought well. However, during the hot periods of the year, it is necessary to ensure proper watering of the potatoes, otherwise the tubers will be very small due to lack of moisture.
Otherwise, the root crop has no obvious flaws, this once again confirms that Zekura is deservedly included in the list of the best varieties.
Landing
Since Zekura potatoes have good disease resistance, no special treatment of root crops is required. The only rule before planting is to remove all spoiled tubers and germinate the eyes within 14-18 days.
In autumn, it is necessary to prepare the site for planting and dig rows of 30-35 cm. Zekur potatoes should be planted at a time when the soil temperature at a depth of 15 cm will not be lower than + 10 ° C. This is best done at the end of April or in the first half of May .
Potatoes are planted in rows at a depth of 8-11 cm and at a distance of about 35-38 cm from each other. 2 tubers are placed in each hole. And already 20-30 days after planting, sprouts appear above the soil surface.
Care
In general, Zekura potatoes are unpretentious and do not require special care. At the beginning of summer, during the period of rapid growth of weeds, it is imperative to weed the rows, and after the appearance of the first shoots, spud the bushes. This will prevent the root system from drying out during dry periods of the year, and will also make the location of the tubers relative to each other more compact.
In the future, it is necessary to carry out regular removal of weeds and loosening of the surface layer of the soil, about 3 times during the entire growing season.
Although Zekura is a drought tolerant variety, it is recommended to water the potatoes once a week during extreme heat. In the absence of rain and low air temperature, you need to dig a hole 15-20 cm deep next to the bush. If the soil is wet there, do not water. If the ground is dry, pick up a hose or turn on the irrigation system.
Hilling and top dressing
Hilling is one of the main techniques in caring for Zekur potatoes. Sprinkling the lower part of the bush with earth and the formation of ridges should be done about 3 times throughout the season. This is necessary for better aeration of the soil, protection of the root system from drying out and the formation of more tubers, and hence a higher yield.
Since Zekura does not differ in the large size of the bushes, hilling is also easy. To do this, it is better to use small choppers or hoes, and the procedure itself is carried out early in the morning. The soil must be moist, hilling dry soil can lead to severe damage to the roots and stolons of potatoes.
Zekura responds favorably to fertilizing with organic and mineral fertilizers. Their introduction is carried out if, when digging up the site in the fall or planting tubers in the spring, no additional dressings were added to the substrate.
Fertilizers can be applied in three periods:
- before hilling – a diluted mullein is used;
- during the formation of buds – potash fertilizers with the addition of ash;
- during the flowering period of potatoes – it is better to use superphosphate or mullein.
When fertilizing, it is necessary to take into account the stage of growth of the plant, as well as its condition, the rate of set of vegetative mass.
Diseases and pests
Zekura potatoes are resistant to a wide range of diseases and pests, including rust, late blight, scab, leaf curl virus, and blackleg. Despite this, there are often cases of damage to the bushes by the Colorado potato beetle, the bear, the caterpillars of the scoop, and also the wireworm.
To destroy the Colorado potato beetle, it is recommended to plant calendula between the rows of potatoes, as well as cover the soil with wood ash. As a preventive measure for the appearance of pests and the development of diseases, it is necessary to carry out regular weeding and loosening of the beds, to make ash and lime after digging the site. Also observe the watering regime, do not allow waterlogging or severe drying of the soil.
Harvesting
Harvesting is carried out from mid-August to the second decade of September. For subsequent storage of potatoes, it is necessary to disinfect the storage, dry it and, if possible, ventilate it. Potatoes should be sorted out, removing all tubers with signs of disease or damage.
Conclusion
For 20 years now, Zekura potatoes have been rightfully considered one of the best varieties, and this is no accident. Easy care, resistance to pests, high yields and excellent taste make it more and more popular for growing in their gardens, cottages and home gardens.