Laura

Potato

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Symfonia' and 'Asterix'

Summary: 'Laura' has a taller plant height than the reference varieties. The terminal leaflets of 'Laura' are broadly ovate whereas those of 'Symfonia' are fused to the first pair of lateral leaflets and those of 'Asterix' are narrowly ovate to medium ovate. 'Laura' has absent to very weak anthocyanin in the flower buds while 'Symfonia' has strong anthocyanin and 'Asterix' has medium anthocyanin. The light sprouts of 'Laura' are smaller and have more pubescence at the base than the sprouts of the reference varieties. The tips of the light sprouts of 'Laura' have moderate anthocyanin colouration and sparse pubescence whereas 'Asterix' has absent to weak anthocyanins and dense pubescence.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit, stem type to intermediate foliage structure

STEM: medium anthocyanin mainly in top half, main stem thin to medium in thickness, swelling of nodes absent or very low

LEAF: light green, intermediate in silhouette, moderate anthocyanin in rachis and petiole
TERMINAL LEAFLET: broadly ovate, acuminate tip, cordate base, high to very high frequency of coalescence of terminal and lateral leaflets
LATERAL LEAFLETS: medium size, narrowly ovate, acute to acuminate tip, cordate base, moderately deep veins, weak waviness of margins, dull, weak pubescence on blade (at apical rosette), moderate presence of secondary leaflets

INFLORESCENCE: medium in size, moderate flowering profusion, buds moderately persistent, absent to weak anthocyanin in buds
COROLLA: medium size, red-violet colour, moderate anthocyanin on inner surface, prominent star
PEDUNCLE: weak anthocyanin

TUBER: oval to round, eyes intermediate in depth and predominantly apical, eyebrows not prominent, dark yellow flesh with no secondary colour
SKIN: red, red at base of eye, strong anthocyanin when exposed to light, smooth texture

LIGHT SPROUT: small, spherical, many root tips, short lateral roots
BASE: medium anthocyanin, absent or low proportion of blue, medium pubescence
TIP: equal in size to base, closed habit, moderate anthocyanin, sparse pubescence.

Origin & Breeding History: 'Laura' was selected from the F1 progeny of a cross between 'Rosella' and 'Stamm 6140/12' made in 1989 in Kaltenberg, Germany. The variety was selected based on negative agronomic criteria.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Laura' were conducted in Drummond, New Brunswick in 2005. A block design was used with four replicates per variety. All entries were planted in single-row plots and each entry had one replicate per block. Plots consisted of rows 5.5 metres long and between row spacing of 91 cm. Measured characteristics were based on 10 measurements. Colour determinations were made using the 1986 RHS colour chart.

Comparison tables for 'Laura' with reference varieties 'Symfonia' and 'Asterix'

Plant height (cm)

Leaf length (cm)

Leaf width (cm)

Colour of corolla (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Potato: 'Laura' (center) with reference varieties 'Asterix' (left) and 'Symfonia' (right)