Prospects for the use of planting tubers 10-15 mm when growing potatoes for a healthy diet
Abstract The results of studies conducted in the period of 2019-2021 in order to determine the effectiveness of growing high-quality food potatoes saturated with trace elements for a healthy diet. The field test was launched according to the available procedures on the territory of the Korenevo (Kraskovo) experimental station in the Moscow region on the sod-podzolic medium-cultivated, granulometric composition sandy loam soil. Sprouted small fraction mini-tubers of 10-15 mm in size and 3 to 5 g in weight of the following varieties were planted: Gulliver (early ripening (ER)), Ametist and Grand (medium early ripening (MER)). The research years – 2019, 2020 and 2021 – were characterized, respectively, as humid, very humid and slightly arid. The average yield for all varieties was 18.0 t/ha, including commercial tubers in size – 96.5 to 97.4%, or 67-91% of the possible potential yield, depending on the variety. The starch content in tubers was within the range of potentially possible values, namely, in Grand (16.5 to 18.3%). The nitrate content in potato tubers of all varieties did not exceed MPC – 250 mg/kg. Tubers of all varieties turned out to be quite tasty – 6.0 to 7.5 points, Gulliver tubers (7.5 points) being found the most delicious, despite the low starch content. Selenium content in tubers when applying sodium selenite in average for three years was 0.040 to 0375 mg/kg, which does not exceed MPC in potatoes (0.5 mg/kg). The obtained data provide grounds for expanding research not only to correct selenium deficiency in ecosystems, but also to increase yields and improve the quality of agricultural products. Potatoes were sold at a price of 17 rubles/ kg, the income from potato cultivation amounted to 21.7 to 104.0 thousand rubles/ ha, and profitability was 16.1 to 28.6%. The research has proved the economic feasibility of producing food potatoes grown in the field from mini-tubers of small fractions obtained using the aero-hydroponic method with a compound nutrition system.