Challenger

Challenger potato variety is a late-maturing variety developed by the Dutch breeding company HZPC. The vegetation period ranges from 115 to 140 days, depending on growing conditions. The plants are strong, with semi-erect stems and light-lilac flowers with dark-lilac veins. The tubers have an oval-elongated shape, yellow skin, and light-yellow flesh with a slightly mealy texture. The average weight of one tuber varies from 86 to 116 grams, and each plant produces 6 to 10 large tubers. The starch content is within 14-16.2%, making this variety suitable for making soups, frying, and french fries.

The Challenger variety exhibits high resistance to a range of diseases, including potato cancer, late blight, dry rot, and good resistance to foliage and tuber phytophthora. However, it is susceptible to golden potato nematode and has low resistance to black leg. Additionally, this variety shows resistance to mechanical damage and has high storability — up to 96% — ensuring long-term storage without loss of quality.

Challenger potato is suitable for cultivation in moderate climate zones (zones 3-4), is highly frost-tolerant, and prefers moderately moist soil with infrequent watering. Seed material is available in seeds and tubers sized 30-50 mm, which can be planted from March to May. The variety has high yield — in some farms it reaches 250-350 centners per hectare, making Challenger a profitable choice for farmers aiming for high-quality and abundant harvests.