Special aspects of comparative assesment of potato varieties of global gene pool in forest steppe of Novosibirsk Priobye

We present results of the comprehensive assessment of potato varieties of different ripeness groups in conditions of grey forest semi-loamy soils in forest steppe of Novosibirsk Priobye. We researched six early, eleven medium-early and eleven medium maturing potato varieties. In general, all the varieties represented the latest domestic breeding achievements, as well as the best examples of Siberian breeding scientists. We mainly picked foreign varieties as standards, which are in high demand in Russian farm units: Rosara (early) and Gala (medium-early). For medium maturity varieties – Siberian variety Tuleevskii was chosen as the standard. The aim of our research was to perform a comprehensive assessment of different maturity varieties of global gene pool in the conditions of the forest steppe of Novosibirsk Priobye. The research was held in 2023–2024 in conditions of drained forest steppe soil and climate area. In order to fulfill the research objectives, we explored special aspects of growth and development of different potato varieties, dynamics of tuber forming and taste test and marketability assessment of tuber qualities. The trials were established in crop rotation – one-year fallow – potato – cabbage – carrot. Research was held on the trial fields in CJSC Agricultural Enterprise “Michurinets” in Novosibirsk region of Novosibirsk district. Research was held in accordance with VNII of potato farming. The trial fields soil is grey forest with the organic matter content – 3.7 %, and slightly acidic reaction with pH – 6.2. Nitrate nitrogen concentration – 12 mg/kg, labile phosphorus – 14.3 mg/100 g and exchangeable potassium – 10.6 mg/100 g of soil. Weather conditions in the years when the trials were held were markedly different in temperature and sum of precipitation. In 2023 the sum of precipitation during vegetation period equaled to 273 mm and in 2024 it reached 309 mm. It was established that according to the yield of early varieties during lifting at the end of August, variety Gulliver stood out with 25.8 t/ha, which is 18 % higher than the standard variety Rosara and variety Terra – 23.6 t/ha. During lifting at the end of September maximum addition to the standard was 19 % for variety Terra with the yield of the standard – 24.3 t/ha. In terms of marketability of tubers, the most distinguished varieties were the variety Una – 87 % and Terra – 84 %, standard (Rosara) showed 70 %. Medium maturing varieties were accounted at the end of August, the standard Gala yield equals to 24.6 t/ha and varieties Sadon – 25.0 t/ha, Variag – 26.9 and Samba 26.8 t/ha.