Russet Norkotah 112

Potato

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Russet Norkotah', 'Russet Norkotah Selection 3', 'Russet Norkotah Selection 8' and 'Russet Norkotah 223'

Summary: 'Russet Norkotah 112' matures later than 'Russet Norkotah' and earlier than 'Russet Norkotah Selection 3'. 'Russet Norkotah 112' has thinner stems than 'Russet Norkotah Selection 3', 'Russet Norkotah Selection 8' and 'Russet Norkotah 223'. 'Russet Norkotah 112' produces more branches than 'Russet Norkotah'. 'Russet Norkotah 112' has a higher flowering profusion with more florets per inflorescence than 'Russet Norkotah'. 'Russet Norkotah 112' has a higher number of tubers per plant than 'Russet Norkotah' and 'Russet Norkotah 223'. 'Russet Norkotah 112' has a higher yield than 'Russet Norkotah'.

Description:

'Russet Norkotah 112' has a semi-erect growth habit and produces an intermediate to leaf type plant which is medium in height. 'Russet Norkotah 112' matures mid-season to late. The stem has no anthocyanin colouration and is thin 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 112' 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 six to 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 moderately asymmetrical.

'Russet Norkotah 112' 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 112' 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 shallow to intermediate in depth and there are a medium number per tuber which are evenly distributed. The eyebrows are not prominent to slightly prominent. The tuber flesh is white to cream in colour and there is no secondary colour. There are a medium 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 112' originated from a 'Russet Norkotah' strain selection project initiated in 1989 by the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. 375 giant hill and /or tall type plants were selected from commercial fields in Texas and Colorado. These plants were grown in Texas in 1990 and 58 were selected for tuber type and yield. In 1991 the 58 selections were planted in Texas and reduced to 43 selections based on tuber type and yield. From the 43 selections, 13 were kept through to 1997. By 1998, 6 remained, including 'Russet Norkotah 112'.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials for 'Russet Norkotah 112' 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 112' with reference varieties 'Russet Norkotah', 'Russet Norkotah Selection 3', 'Russet Norkotah Selection 8' and 'Russet Norkotah 223'

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

Number of tubers per hill

Total yield