Gardeners in the Ussuriysky Urban District are advised not to delay potato planting, not to skimp on seed material, and to pay close attention to crop rotation. According to Dmitry Volkov, head of the Potato and Vegetable Growing Department at the Federal Scientific Center, in the local climate, yield heavily depends on moisture and correctly selected varieties. The optimal planting period for the region has already passed — work should have been completed by May 10. If moisture is lacking, potatoes need watering, especially on small plots where care is easier to organize. Crop rotation is also crucial: potatoes should not be grown in the same place for many years, and planting after tomatoes, peppers, and other nightshade crops is particularly discouraged due to shared diseases.
Volkov particularly emphasizes the quality of seed material — old tubers degenerate after 4–5 years, so seeds need regular renewal. He also warns gardeners against ordering seed potatoes from marketplaces that bring varieties from western regions of the country, as they often fail to produce expected yields in Primorye’s specific climate. It is much more reliable to use local or regionalized varieties. The Federal Scientific Center has developed five new varieties over recent years. Two of them — “Orion” and “Poseidon” — have passed state trials and are approved for use in the Russian Far East, while “Askold,” “Lotos,” and “Ispolin” are currently undergoing testing. Among these promising varieties are pink-skinned, high-yielding potatoes, with “Ispolin” being a mid-late variety with high resistance to late blight and high starch content.
