Potato Asterix: variety characteristics, yield, reviews

Characteristics of Asterix potatoes

The Asterix potato belongs to the mid-late varieties; the root crops reach biological ripeness 120 days after planting the seeds. The fruits can be consumed 60 days after flowering; tubers of technical ripeness do not differ in taste from fully ripened ones. They have a more watery consistency and not fully formed peel. The chemical composition of “young” fruits contains a small amount of starch, so they do not disintegrate during heat treatment.

The Asterix variety is frost-resistant; in the event of night spring frosts, frozen shoots are quickly restored, the damage does not affect the timing of flowering and fruit ripening. Asterix potatoes can go without watering for a long time. Excess moisture in the soil is undesirable for the crop; there is a risk of rotting of the ovary and the lower part of the tops.

The root crop grows on any soil except swampy soils. The yield will be much higher if the composition is light and fertile. The variety is responsive to nitrogen fertilizers, but the high nitrogen content does not affect the size of the fruit in their favor.

Attention! For photosynthesis, the Asterix potato requires a sufficient amount of ultraviolet radiation; in the shade, the plant's growing season is suspended.

External description of the Asterix potato:

1. The bush is tall (80 cm), spreading, densely leafy. It is formed by six thick stems; with excess moisture, the tops become fragile and break easily.
2. The foliage is dense, dark green, elongated, tapering towards the top. The surface of the leaf plate is hard, corrugated, with clearly defined veins, the edges are wavy, and there is a rare edge.
3. The flowers are purple with an orange core, forming panicle inflorescences.
4. The fruits are oval-shaped, medium-sized, leveled, weighing between 85–125 g. The bush produces up to twelve ovaries, the arrangement of the fruits is dense and compact.
5. The peel is even, smooth, thin, dark red, the eyes are few and superficial.
6. The pulp is yellow, dense, juicy, and does not oxidize (do not darken) during processing.

Asterix potatoes practically do not produce small non-marketable tubers, even in weather unfavorable for the crop. It belongs to the table variety of medium friability. The color of the pulp does not change during heat treatment.

Description of the bush

The tall, erect stems of the plant are ribbed in shape. They are well leafed, but the foliage may fall off at the bottom if the bushes are poorly lit. The leaves are large, open, without wavy edges. Their color is dark green.

The bush has a dark green color

The flowers are collected in apical simple inflorescences. The petals are fused at the base and are colored in red and purple tones. They pollinate naturally, but they produce few berries, and even those may fall off.

Pros and cons of the Asterix potato variety

Dutch varieties have long found recognition among Russian farmers. The average size of the tubers lends itself well to mechanized harvesting. Asterix potatoes are grown over large areas for the food industry and supplies to the retail chain, the marketability of the variety is 95%. On a personal plot, preference is given to Asterix potatoes because of its advantages:

• high yield;
• good taste;
• universal use;
• frost resistance, can be grown in regions with cold climates;
• heat resistance, this quality is a priority for gardeners from the South;
• storage duration;
• transportability.

Important! After ripening, the root crop can remain in the soil for a long time without losing its presentation and taste.

The disadvantages include weak immunity to viral infection; the disease can destroy the entire planting in a small plot and large farming areas. Potato Asterix does not tolerate waterlogging of the soil; it has low resistance to rhizoctonia and common scab.

Soil preparation

The soil must be fertilized in the fall with humus: 40 buckets per hundred square meters. You can add complex mineral fertilizers to it. The main thing is that the nitrogen content is not high. If there is an excess of it, plants may die.

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The ridges are formed at a distance of 60 cm from one another and are oriented from south to north. With this arrangement, the bushes will be well and evenly illuminated all day long. This promotes the formation of chlorophyll and helps the plant get adequate nutrition.

Between planting holes you need to leave 25cm. Place 1 tsp in each well. potassium salt, and phosphates. A handful of ash will protect the tubers from late blight, and a handful of onion peels from small insects and wireworms.

Planting and caring for Asterix potatoes

Seeds are planted around the second half of May. The main condition is that the soil warms up at least +16 0C. Focus on the climate characteristics of the region. In southern latitudes, planting work is carried out earlier - at the end of April or beginning of May.

Selection and preparation of a landing site

The place for planting Asterix potatoes is chosen to be open, without fruit trees growing nearby. For photosynthesis, the variety needs a sufficient amount of ultraviolet light. In the shade, the tops form thin, elongated, and flowering is weak. Wetlands with close groundwater and lowlands where water accumulates are not suitable for planting.

The soil is prepared in the fall. The planting site is dug up, the roots of weeds are removed, if the composition is acidic, they are neutralized with dolomite flour, and organic matter is added. In the spring, 2 weeks before planting, the soil is loosened and saltpeter is added.

Preparation of planting material

Late varieties are planted only with germinated seeds. Preparatory work:

1. Seeds are selected in the fall; they should be of medium size, weighing 60–70 g, without damage, and of the same size.
2. For planting, Asterix potatoes are poured into boxes in the fall and placed in the basement for storage.
3. In the spring, the container with seeds is taken out for germination and placed in a lighted room with a temperature of +150 C.
4. The sprouts should be thick (2.5 cm).

Before planting, the seeds are treated with a solution of manganese and boric acid.

Landing rules

Asterix potatoes are planted in two ways: in single holes (under a shovel) or in pre-prepared furrows. The scheme is the same for both methods:

1. The depth of the hole or furrow is 15 cm, row spacing is 55 cm, between nests is 40 cm.
2. The seeds are laid out 8 cm from each other, two pieces per hole.
3. Ash and peat are poured on top.
4. Cover with earth.

To avoid damaging the sprouts, the tubers are laid carefully.

Watering and fertilizing

If precipitation falls twice a month, additional watering for Asterix potatoes is not required. In case of dry summers, potatoes are watered after planting and 3 weeks after flowering.

Fertilizers (urea, potassium and phosphate compounds) are applied a month after planting. When all the Asterix potatoes have bloomed, they are fed with nitrogen agents. Simultaneously with fertilizing, the bushes are treated with Bordeaux mixture.

Loosening and weeding

The Asterix potato sprouts after two weeks. When the rows are well defined, weeding is done between the rows. The top layer is loosened for better oxygen supply. Weeds are removed from bushes by hand. A repeat event is carried out when the tops reach 15 cm in height. Weeds along with their roots are removed from the site.

Hilling

When the stems grow to 25 cm, Asterix potatoes are hilled. If potatoes are planted in holes, soil is poured from all sides to the top leaves. If the planting was in a furrow, hill up on both sides in the form of a ridge. After two weeks, for better growth of tubers, it is recommended to repeat the procedure. Simultaneously with hilling, the remaining weeds are removed.

Peculiarities

Key Features:

Belongs to mid-season varieties;

REFERENCE: Does not change color during cooking.

• The level of starch content is above average;
• Due to its excellent taste, it is excellent for deep-frying;
• The main difference from other varieties is the high dry matter content.

The table shows data on the growing season of different potato varieties:

Diseases and pests

The main disease of the Asterix potato is the Y virus; the pathogen has several strains and is transmitted by insects, most often aphids. This problem is especially relevant in hot, dry summers. Infection manifests itself as necrosis of leaves and tubers, less often as a wrinkled mosaic on the tops. To eliminate the pathogen, the plant is treated with insecticides.

At high humidity and low air temperature, Asterix potatoes are affected by rhizoctonia. A fungal infection appears as black spots on tubers and leaves. The crop is treated with biological preparations: “Baktofit”, “Planriz”. A favorable environment for the appearance of scab is: moist soils, slightly alkaline soil composition, excess organic matter. The fungus infects tubers and manifests itself as hard (corky) brown spots. The problem is eliminated by observing crop rotation and additionally adding superphosphate and sulfur to the soil.

Agrotechnics of cultivation

Before planting, you need to make sure the quality of the potatoes is good. It is unacceptable to use those that have mechanical damage.

Before planting, you need to make sure that the soil is not too acidic. If it needs to be adjusted, then one way to improve the properties is to mix the soil with wood ash.

Sometimes growth stimulants are used. One of the common options is “Epin”. If you take one ampoule of the drug and dilute it in 400 ml of water, then this amount is enough to treat 200 tubers. This procedure is carried out a day before planting.

In order for this potato variety to grow well, it needs good lighting in the area.

If onions or cabbage previously grew at the planting site, then this area is suitable for growing potatoes.

Planting time for Arizona potatoes is early to mid-May. Before starting work, you need to make sure that the soil is suitable for its characteristics - it is already quite dry

It is important that at the time of planting the soil temperature is not below 12 degrees

Of course, before starting work, you need to clear the area of ​​weeds and debris. After this, the ground is loosened.

Important! It is recommended to treat the soil with a solution of potassium permanganate on the day of planting potatoes. Root crops should be sprayed with pest control agents

During planting, soil is poured into previously prepared holes, which is pre-mixed with humus and peat.

The holes for this variety are made less deep than usual - only 10 centimeters. Their dimensions are 30 centimeters in length and width. Planting is done in beds, the distance between which should be approximately 30 centimeters. Moreover, the width of the bed is taken equal to 70 centimeters.

Arizona potatoes in the beds

This variety is considered to be relatively unpretentious in care.

But you must follow certain rules:

1. It is recommended to make the planting beds relatively high;
2. It must be remembered that watering is only required in hot weather;
3. It is recommended to mulch the soil to help it retain moisture;
4. Nitrogen fertilizers are not used for fertilizing; potassium and phosphorus fertilizers are used;
5. Fertilizing is done at the time when root crops are being formed;
6. No later than a week in advance, it is necessary to trim the tops. In this case, the roots will receive more nutrients;
7. After harvesting, you need to spend some time drying the potatoes. This will help him survive the winter better.

Part of the harvest

Harvesting and storage

Asterix potatoes are characterized by a long growing season; root crops ripen from late August to September. If the crop is not harvested in a timely manner, the fruits remain in the ground until frost occurs without changes. Harvesting is carried out in sunny weather. The dug up Asterix potatoes are immediately removed from the garden bed, without leaving the tubers in the open. Ultraviolet light triggers the synthesis of solanine, a substance toxic to humans. A green pigment forms on the surface.

The potatoes are put into a darkened room, scattered to dry, and then lowered into the basement. Optimum storage temperature +6 0 C, air humidity 80%. Asterix potatoes can be stored until the end of May without losing their taste and presentation. Before storing, the tubers can be washed; a prerequisite is that they must dry well.

Description of tubers

The starch content in the tubers is 17%, which makes it possible to prepare various dishes. Vegetables retain their shape well when cooked. On an industrial scale, it is from this variety that chips are most often produced. Potatoes are called chips due to this feature.

The tubers have a beautiful red color.

Their shape is elongated, oval, slightly elongated. The peel is smooth and small eyes are visible on it. Potatoes are resistant to mechanical damage such as compression or shock during transportation. It does not lose shape and does not darken if the peel gets abrasions.

Asterix is ​​a potato variety, the description of which can be concluded by saying that the mass of its tubers ranges from 70g to 120g. When cut, the flesh is rich yellow. The starchiness is clearly visible, in the form of a matte coating.

Agricultural technology

To harvest a guaranteed harvest, you need to comply with the requirements for growing potatoes. This is an agrotechnical point that needs special attention.

Sowing work should be carried out at the end of April or at the beginning of May, depending on climatic conditions.

Site selection and processing

This is a light-loving crop, so potato plantings should be located in open and sunny places. In the shade, its foliage will turn yellow, the tops will stretch, flowering will be weak, and the harvest will be low. If the area is in a lowland, grooves should be made around it so that excess water does not accumulate on it.

Asterix can grow in any type of soil. In the fall, the garden needs to be dug up and weeds and rhizomes removed. The area does not need to be leveled and the clods do not need to be broken up. In the spring you need to plow the land again. Before this, it is advisable to scatter rotted manure and phosphorus-potassium fertilizers over the area. Or add them later, directly into the holes.

Potatoes of the Asterix variety are recommended to be planted in areas where perennial grasses, flax, various leguminous or winter crops grew.

Tuber preparation

For planting, it is better to choose medium-sized tubers, weighing 40-50 g. The more eyes it has, the better the harvest will be.

A month before planting, Asterix seed potatoes need to be prepared. First, they are sorted, healthy tubers are left for planting, and rotten and diseased tubers are thrown away. For germination and gardening, the selected potatoes are placed in a warm room. To do this, lay it out on the floor or in boxes in 1-2 layers and place it in sunlight. Such potatoes are less susceptible to diseases. When the sprouts grow to 5-10 mm, you can start planting.

Landing rules

When planting Dutch Asterix potatoes, you need to adhere to the following recommendations:

1. There should be at least 70 cm between the rows. To ensure that the bushes are well lit, they are formed from south to north.
2. Tubers are planted at a distance of 30-35 cm from each other. This will make it easier to hill up the bushes.
3. If no mineral fertilizers were added to the soil during plowing, 1 tbsp should be poured into each hole. l. phosphorus-potassium mixture. You can also add ash and onion peels there.
4. It is recommended to plant tubers at a depth of 7 to 10 cm.

If the gardener adheres to these simple recommendations, the potatoes will live up to his expectations.

Origin

The Asterix potato variety was bred by Dutch breeders working for the private company HZPC BV Holland. It is currently the world leader in the production and development of the latest varieties. At the beginning of 1998, the Asterix variety was included in the state register of our country. The family vegetable began to be very actively exported to Russia and sold.

Characteristic

From the appearance of the very first shoots, approximately 106-115 days pass from harvest.

Appearance of bushes.

Bushes of the Asterix variety are erect, medium spreading and quite tall. The stems have a ribbed shape. They can reach a height of up to 80cm. Potato leaves are colored bright green, rich in color. Their edges are smooth without wavy or denticles.

On each such potato bush, simple inflorescences begin to form. As a rule, these are red-purple flowers with a light yellow center. The pollination process occurs naturally; the berries of this potato variety are not always formed and fall off very quickly. But their absence or presence cannot affect the size of the future harvest.

Description of tubers.

The potato flesh is bright yellow. It is very tender and pleasant to the taste. Potatoes of the Asterix variety, like most late varieties, contain a huge amount of starch. About 16 to 17 percent.

Advantages

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtnf6NsWtxc

In order for you to get a more complete impression of potatoes, you should note the main advantages:

1. When peeled and thermally treated, the tuber pulp does not crumble and does not darken. The mashed potatoes from this type of potato are very tasty, tender, and the chips are very crispy.
2. Potatoes have high marketability, approximately 80 to 90 percent. This allows this vegetable to be grown on an industrial scale.
3. In the event of an impact during transportation, potato tubers are not damaged or crushed, since they have a fairly dense peel.
4. Potatoes of the Asterix variety bring a stable and rich harvest.
5. The Asterix variety can easily tolerate dry weather and lack of moisture. For this reason, it is perfect for those gardeners who rarely appear in their garden plots.
6. Potatoes can be perfectly stored in the cellar at a temperature of 5-7 degrees. Throughout storage, it will remain elastic and will be able to retain its taste.
7. The Asterix variety has excellent immunity to diseases such as formosa, cancer, golden nematode, late blight of tubers and green mass, leaf curl.

Features of cultivation

Asterix potatoes, which are not in vain classified as table varieties, and they will definitely become a decoration for any holiday table. Its pulp does not tend to darken during heat treatment, and, in addition, has average friability. Because of this, it is well suited for both fried and boiled dishes. Separately, I would like to note that this variety of potatoes makes excellent chips.

In terms of agricultural technology - planting and care, it also has several nuances. Asterix is ​​unpretentious in terms of choosing the type of soil, but it develops best in the area where leguminous crops or perennial grasses were previously grown.

It is recommended to plant sprouted planting material at the end of April, when the soil has warmed up to the desired 7 °C and the danger of the last frosts returning has disappeared. If you don’t know exactly how to plant, many gardeners recommend a 70 x 35 planting pattern.

That is, you retreat 70 cm between the rows of potatoes, and 35 cm between the holes in the rows themselves. The optimal depth for burying your seedlings will be 7 - 10 cm.

To further care for the plant, you need to remember a few basic rules:

• Asterix reacts positively to harrowing. The first should be done 5 days after planting the material, then twice more before germination and the last 2 times after them.
• This variety also responds well to fertilizers, especially manure.
  Using the latter can increase your yield by more than 50%; Read in more detail on how to feed potatoes, when and how to apply fertilizers and whether this should be done when planting, which fertilizers are the best and why mineral fertilizers are needed.
• The variety requires the maximum amount of light and air, so the soil must be kept loose and free of weeds. Mulching between rows helps a lot with this.
• But it does not require numerous waterings; you can get by with only three at the right time: the first time immediately after the emergence of seedlings, the second during the appearance of buds and the last after the end of the flowering period;
• No special diligence is required with fertilizing either; in one season, three fertilizing will be quite enough. It is best to use those preparations that develop the root system and, accordingly, stimulate the appearance of powerful and beautiful tubers. For example, granulated superphosphate.

IMPORTANT! Do not use substances with a high nitrogen content, because if the soil is oversaturated with it, potatoes of this variety may die.

Caring for potatoes usually involves standard techniques and methods. Read useful information about whether potatoes need hilling, how to carry out this procedure - manually or using a walk-behind tractor, is it possible to get a decent harvest without weeding and hilling

Read useful information about whether potatoes need hilling, how to carry out this procedure - manually or using a walk-behind tractor, and whether it is possible to get a decent harvest without weeding and hilling.