The first shoots of arctic potato varieties appeared on the fields of the Yamal experimental station in Salekhard. This is the result of the scientific work of the staff of the Tyumen Scientific Center of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Tyumen State University.
The scientific and technological project “Arctic Bank of Healthy Potato Varieties”, unique for Russia, has been implemented in the district capital since 2021. Specialists are conducting research on the land plots of the Yamal experimental station. The goal is to obtain virus-free seed material.
Last year, 31 varieties of potatoes were planted in the ground, and in June of this year, the seeds obtained from them, as well as micro-plants of more than 100 new varieties of potatoes, were sown.
All these seeds sprouted successfully the other day.
According to the project manager, an employee of the potato breeding laboratory of the Tyumen Scientific Center, Nikolai Renev, the plants show good dynamics.
“This means that by the 2023 season we will have more varieties to study and test in open ground,” he said. “At this stage of the project, we are breeding the first generation.”
At the same time, scientists plan to prepare a variety of “second bread” by 2024, which is optimally suited for Yamal and the northern regions. And in 2025 – to offer the Russian market selected Yamal seeds.
Maxim Maksimchik, director of the Yamal Experimental Station, is confident that the work being done will help Russian farmers become independent from foreign seed suppliers.
“Arctic soils are a natural testing ground where you can grow potatoes and get seeds that are resistant to pests, viruses and soil diseases. Moreover, these seeds are also suitable for central Russia,” the head said.
We add that this season potatoes for sale are grown by agricultural enterprises of Salekhard, Krasnoselkup, Nadym, Shuryshkar regions. The farms plan to harvest up to 400 tons of this crop in autumn.
Yamal farmers also cultivate open and protected ground vegetables – cabbage, carrots, beets, cucumbers and tomatoes.
