The procedure of storage of potatoes is a weak link of all Russian agrarian and industrial complex as, according to numerous branch researches, every year the country loses 5-20% (by different calculations) a harvest of vegetables of this look. Complicates a situation and the fact that an essential part of the all-Russian production is grown up in homestead farms, and people not always know how it is correct to store potatoes.
Temperature, necessary for storage of potatoes
Rules of storage of vegetables of this look which will have to remain till a new season regulate quite narrow temperature range – from 0 and to 3 degrees Celsius. Its observance will allow to keep products still the first early potato isn't built you Shouldn't forget also that at-1 degree vegetables will begin to freeze, and at +4 degrees will sprout. High-quality preservation of potatoes is also promoted by maintenance of the necessary level of humidity of air – about 85-90%.
If in the course of storage on tubers nevertheless small sprouts began to be formed, they need to be deleted in due time, otherwise in potatoes substance соланин, affecting taste of vegetables and considered as harmful to a human body will quickly collect. By the way, one more unpleasant property of excess of temperature level, except fast increase in sprouts, is also emergence not of a really pleasant sweetish flavor in potatoes.
During a storage period it is also necessary to check the kept harvest and in due time to delete the sick or spoiled potatoes tubers.
Other rules and norms of storage of potatoes
Before laying of tubers on storage they need to be dried carefully in the fresh air as hit of moisture can negatively affect a condition of vegetables. At the same time it is necessary to pay also much attention to preparation of a cellar which has to be carefully dry-through, cleaned from garbage, and its bottom is whitewashed by whitewash. Also it is recommended to establish boxes with potatoes in stacks with the maximum height of 2 meters as excess of this level will affect vegetables in the bottom and top layers in which temperature will differ very strongly. The important procedure is also airing of the room in which to be stored potatoes till spring. For this purpose it is necessary to open at least once in a week storage, for hit in it fresh air. Some professional landowners also use for the equipment of the first layer in storage ordinary straw which will be able to incorporate excessive moisture and unpleasant odors at the expense of what potatoes will remain even better. There is also one more small cunning – it is possible to pour a small amount of ordinary garden apples which will also interfere with deflation by potatoes of sprouts into the lump of vegetables. But in this case it will be necessary to pay attention to that fruit were whole and not begun to rot.