А PRODUCTIVITY OF KAVALER POTATO VARIETY DEPENDING ON THE TIME, METHOD ANDDEPTH OF PLANTING IN THE FOREST-STEPPE ZONE OF THE CHELYABINSK REGION

Abstract

The yield of potatoes of the Kavaler variety in the northern forest-steppe zone of the Chelyabinsk region in the period 2020-2022 largely depended on the weather conditions of the growing season (factor contribution – 15%), planting time (52%), seed placement depth (11%), somewhat less – on the method of planting (4.2%) and the interaction of factors " year” and “planting depth” (7.2%). According to the years of research, the planting time had the greatest influence on the yield, which determines 79% of the variation in 2020, 38% in 2021 and 65% in 2022, as well as the method of planting potatoes, which controlled 6.5%, 11.4%, and 4.0% respectively of the total variation of this trait. A significant effect of the depth of planting seed tubers on the yield of potatoes was noted only in the dry conditions observed in 2021 (factor contribution of – 44.4%). The potatoes achieved high yields due to the well timed planting (May 10-12^th). The Kavaler variety exhibited an average productivity of 25.04 t/ha over a three-year period, showing a 4.11 t/ha increase in yield compared to the late planting dates (June 5- 6^th). Ridge planting was more advantageous in the conditions of 2020 and 2022, whereas in the dry year of 2021, flat planting proved to be more effective.