The Ministry of Agriculture of the Stavropol Territory has established demonstration potato plantings in the Predgorny District, known as the region’s potato capital. The trials are taking place at the Krivosheev Sergey Sergeevich farm in the village of Borgustanskaya. Seed potatoes of varieties Ariel, Sprinter, Sadon, Alania, Commander, and Krasa Meshchery have been planted, while Typhoon, Ajax, and Alliance are undergoing variety testing. The planting material was provided by the A.G. Lorch Federal Potato Research Center (Lyubertsy) and the North Caucasus selection and seed-growing center “FAT-AGRO” (Vladikavkaz). For comparison with the new varieties, the farm also planted the well-proven Baltic Rose variety.
Specialists from the Rosselkhozcenter will monitor the crops from planting to harvest, evaluating plant development, disease resistance, pest resistance, and tolerance to adverse weather conditions. In August, a potato-growing seminar will bring together government officials, farmers, and manufacturers of plant protection products and fertilizers to observe the demonstration plots and compare different varieties. In September, after the harvest, experts will assess yields and consumer qualities. According to Olga Kuznetsova, head of the Stavropol branch of Rosselkhozcenter, these trials will identify the most promising varieties for the region, helping local farmers achieve good harvests. Notably, potatoes are a key crop for Stavropol: last year alone, the Predgorny District grew over 30 varieties on 2,000 hectares, yielding 50,000 tons. This year, the region plans to plant potatoes on 5,900 hectares, requiring nearly 17,000 tons of seed potatoes.
