A real revolution is taking place in the Ukrainian agricultural sector: a plant familiar to many, which for decades was considered a common weed, is turning into a promising commercial crop. We are talking about the common burdock (Arctium lappa), which, thanks to the work of domestic breeders, is gaining the status of a valuable vegetable.

New variety "Π†ΠΌΠ΅Π½ΠΈΠ½Π½ΠΈΠΊ": the result of scientific work

Information about the breakthrough came from the "Plantator" magazine (No. 2, April 2026), cited by AgroTimes and RBC-Ukraine. The novelty is a variety named "Π†ΠΌΠ΅Π½ΠΈΠ½Π½ΠΈΠΊ", bred at the "Mayak" Experimental Station of the Institute of Vegetable and Melon Growing of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine (NAAS).

Traditionally, burdock in Ukraine was cultivated exclusively as a medicinal plant. However, institute specialists saw huge potential in it for commercial vegetable growing, which previously remained unrealized.

Record yield and quality

The key factor in the success of the new variety was the indicators obtained during testing. According to the authors of the publication, the yield of marketable root crops of the "Π†ΠΌΠ΅Π½ΠΈΠ½Π½ΠΈΠΊ" variety was 21.6 tons per hectare. This is 35% higher than the indicators of standard burdock varieties.

For entrepreneurs and farmers, not only the figure but also the quality of the product is critically important. The root crops of the new variety are formed uniform and without branching, which significantly simplifies the harvesting process and makes them more attractive for sale.

Inulin potential and functional nutrition

The main value of burdock lies in its chemical composition. The roots of the plant are rich in inulin β€” a natural plant polysaccharide that belongs to the group of soluble fiber and prebiotics. In the roots of the "Π†ΠΌΠ΅Π½ΠΈΠ½Π½ΠΈΠΊ" variety, the content of high-molecular inulin reaches 7.7%.

Junior Researcher of the "Mayak" Experimental Station, Alexander Poznyak, notes that today there is a global increase in demand for products containing inulin. At the same time, in Ukraine, the segment of such vegetable crops remains practically empty. High inulin content confirms the suitability of the new variety for use in functional nutrition.

Economic benefit and diversification

Specialists emphasize that burdock is unlikely to replace traditional vegetable crops such as potatoes or cabbage. However, it can become a powerful diversification tool for farms, allowing them to distribute risks.

An advantage of the crop is the possibility of obtaining several types of products within one production cycle:

  • Root crops for food use;
  • Leaves;
  • Raw material for processing into medicinal preparations.

According to the portal of JSC "Liktravy", burdock is used in cosmetology and for the treatment of a wide range of diseases. All parts of the plant are suitable as medicinal raw materials, but most often the roots are harvested.

New horizons for farmers

The appearance of the "Π†ΠΌΠ΅Π½ΠΈΠ½Π½ΠΈΠΊ" variety opens new opportunities for Ukrainian vegetable growers, allowing them to occupy a niche that was previously free. This is an example of how scientific work can transform the perception of familiar plants, turning them into a source of income and health.