For many vegetable growers, ripening time is a key criterion when choosing potatoes for planting. Early varieties are especially popular among gardeners because they make it possible to harvest fresh potatoes in the middle of summer. ‘Labella’ is one such early-ripening variety, maturing in 70 to 80 days, with young potatoes ready to dig as early as 45–50 days after germination. The variety forms compact bushes with semi-erect stems and has excellent keeping quality of 98%, allowing the harvest to be transported over long distances. The tubers are oval, red-skinned with yellow flesh, weighing 78–102 g, and have a starch content of 15.8%.
According to the State Variety Commission, the marketable yield of ‘Labella’ ranges from 176 to 264 centners per hectare, with a maximum yield of 342 centners per hectare. The tubers are resistant to potato cancer, golden potato cyst nematode, and leafroll virus. Among the disadvantages, gardeners note that field mice often eat the tubers, and slugs may appear if moisture is excessive. Gardeners report that the variety performs well in hot, rainy, and cold summers alike — the tubers are smooth, attractive, store well through winter, and are suitable for boiling, frying, and baking.
