Russet Norkotah Selection 3

Potato

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Russet Norkotah Selection 8', 'Russet Norkotah', 'Russet Norkotah 112', 'Russet Norkotah 223' and 'Russet Norkotah 278'

Summary: 'Russet Norkotah Selection 3' is taller in plant height than 'Russet Norkotah'. 'Russet Norkotah Selection 3' is later maturing than the reference varieties. The stem thickness is thicker in 'Russet Norkotah Selection 3' than in 'Russet Norkotah', and 'Russet Norkotah 112'. 'Russet Norkotah Selection 3' has a denser branching habit than 'Russet Norkotah'. The number of inflorescence/plant and the number of florets/inflorescence is higher in 'Russet Norkotah Selection 3' than in 'Russet Norkotah'. 'Russet Norkotah Selection 3' has deeper tuber eye depth than 'Russet Norkotah'. 'Russet Norkotah Selection 3' has a wider tuber than 'Russet Norkotah', 'Russet Norkotah 112', and 'Russet Norkotah 223'. The total yield of 'Russet Norkotah Selection 3' is higher than 'Russet Norkotah', 'Russet Norkotah Selection 8', 'Russet Norkotah 223', and 'Russet Norkotah 278'.

Description:

'Russet Norkotah Selection 3' has a semi-erect growth habit and produces an intermediate to leaf type plant which is tall in height. 'Russet Norkotah Selection 3' matures late to very late in the season. The stem has no anthocyanin colouration and is medium in thickness. Stem wings are weak to medium in prominence and waved single. The nodes have slight swelling and no anthocyanin colouration. Branching habit is medium.

The leaves of 'Russet Norkotah Selection 3' are medium green in colour and there is medium pubescence on the lower surface. The leaf silhouette is medium. The leaf rachis has no anthocyanin on the top or bottom. The leaf rachis has sparse pubescence on the top and no pubescence on the bottom. The petiole has no anthocyanin and the stipules are medium to large in size. The terminal leaflet has a medium ovate shape, acute to acuminate tip and cordate shaped base which is very slightly asymmetrical. There are seven pairs of primary leaflets which are medium in size. The primary leaflets are narrowly ovate in shape with acute shaped tips and cordate shaped bases which are slight to moderately asymmetrical.

'Russet Norkotah Selection 3' produces a medium number of inflorescences per plant and a medium number of florets per inflorescence. The flower buds have medium anthocyanin and are persistent. The corolla is white in colour with no anthocyanin on the inner and outer side. The corolla is medium in size with a moderately prominent star. The calyx has weak anthocyanin and the peduncle has no anthocyanin colouration. The anthers are orange in colour and positioned in a pear shaped cone. The stigma is capitate in shape and medium green in colour.

The tubers of 'Russet Norkotah Selection 3' have brown skin colour with no secondary colour. The skin texture is russetted. The tubers are oblong to long in shape. The tuber eyes are intermediate in depth and there are a medium number per tuber which are evenly distributed. The eyebrows are slightly prominent. The tuber flesh is white to cream in colour and there is no secondary colour. There are a low number of tubers per plant.

The light sprout is ovoid in shape. The base has weak pubescence and medium, red-violet anthocyanin colouration. The tip has a closed habit, weak pubescence and no anthocyanin. There is a low frequency of root initials and medium protrusion of lenticels. The lateral shoots are short in length.

Origin & Breeding History: 'Russet Norkotah Selection 3' originated from a 'Russet Norkotah' strain selection project initiated in 1991 by the Colorado State University for improved vine vigor and yield potential. Ten selections, of which 'Russet Norkotah Selection 3' was one, were selected in August 1991 for improved vine vigor and later maturity, at the San Luis Valley Research Center-Colorado State University. Seed was increased in 1992 for each selection, at which time the selections were observed for uniformity of vine vigor and maturity. In 1992, tissue-culture based stocks were developed on three of the selections of which 'Russet Norkotah Selection 3' was one. The selections were entered into the comparative performance trials conducted at San Luis Valley Research Center in 1993-1995. Western Coordinating Committee-27 for Potato Variety Development trials were conducted in 1997 and 1998 in several locations around the Western United States.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials for 'Russet Norkotah Selection 3' were conducted at Grand Falls, New Brunswick in 2000 and 2001. A randomized block design was used with four replicates per variety. All entries were planted in single row plots which were 5.5 metres long. Spacing between adjacent plots was 91 cm and spacing between plants was 30.5 cm.

Comparison tables for 'Russet Norkotah Selection 3' with reference varieties 'Russet Norkotah Selection 8', 'Russet Norkotah', 'Russet Norkotah 112', 'Russet Norkotah 223' and 'Russet Norkotah 278'

Plant height (cm)

Number of plants with one inflorescence on July 25

Number of plants with one inflorescence on July 30

Number of plants with one inflorescence on August 10

Tuber width (mm)

Total yield