Red Sonja — an ultra-early table potato variety developed by German breeders of the company EUROPLANT. The vegetation period is 50-65 days, allowing the first harvest to be obtained as early as the 45th day after emergence of seedlings. Plants are compact, 50-70 cm tall, with 6-7 upright stems and leaves ranging from light green to dark green. Under one plant, an average of 7-10 large, oval-shaped tubers form, with smooth but dense reddish skin and light-yellow flesh that does not change color upon thermal processing. Tubers weigh between 80 and 120 grams, with a starch content of 13.5-15%, ensuring a dense flesh texture. The variety is distinguished by high yield — approximately 350-450 centners per hectare, one of the best indicators among ultra-early varieties. Red Sonja tolerates sharp temperature fluctuations and is suitable for cultivation in all regions of Ukraine. It is resistant to most common potato diseases, including late blight, scab, blackleg, leaf curl, and nematodes, although it has moderate resistance to phytophthora and low resistance to rhizoctonia, requiring additional attention during cultivation. The variety has high cold resistance, with storage durability reaching 96%, although due to its early maturation, tubers are typically not stored for long — up to 6 months. Red Sonja is ideal for both amateur and commercial cultivation. Thanks to its early maturity and suitability for planting under plastic film, it allows for two harvests per season. Tubers withstand mechanical harvesting, packaging, and transportation, maintaining an attractive appearance. This variety is in demand for its consistent quality, good taste, and versatility in culinary applications.
