Almera

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Agria'

Summary: The plants of 'Almera' are shorter than those of 'Agria'. There is no anthocyanin colouration on the stems or petioles of 'Almera' whereas it is strong on 'Agria'. The inner surface of the corolla of 'Almera' is red violet whereas it is white on 'Agria'. The anthocyanin colouration of the light sprout tip of 'Almera' is medium whereas it is very strong on 'Agria'.

Description:

PLANT: semi-upright to spreading growth habit, leaf type foliage structure

STEM: absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration, thin main stem, medium swelling at nodes

LEAVES: medium green, intermediate silhouette, absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration on upper side of rachis and petiole, absent to very low frequency of coalescence, medium depth of veins, medium waviness of margin, medium glossiness of upper side, medium density of pubescence, medium presence of secondary leaflets
TERMINAL LEAFLET: medium ovate, acute tip, obtuse to cordate base
LATERAL LEAFLET: medium size, medium ovate, acute tip, cordate base

INFLORESCENCE: medium flowering profusion, medium size
FLOWER BUD: medium to strong persistence, absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration
COROLLA: red-violet, medium anthocyanin colouration on inner surface, medium size, strong to very strong prominence of star
PEDUNCLE: absent to very weak anthocyanin colouration

TUBER: oblong, medium to dark yellow flesh with no secondary colour
TUBER EYES: shallow, predominantly apical distribution, eyebrows not prominent
TUBER SKIN: yellow, yellow at base of eye, strong anthocyanin colouration of skin in reaction to light, smooth texture

LIGHT SPROUT: large, ovoid shape, medium number of root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHT SPROUT BASE: strong anthocyanin colouration, no blue in anthocyanin colouration, dense pubescence
LIGHT SPROUT TIP: smaller in size than base, closed habit, medium anthocyanin colouration, medium pubescence

Origin & Breeding History: 'Almera' originated from the cross of 'BM77-2102' and 'AR80-031-20', made in Emmeloord, the Netherlands in 1986. The selection process was based on negative mass selection on agronomic criteria and resistances.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Almera' were conducted in Central Blissville, New Brunswick in 2008. All entries were planted in single-row plots. Plots consisted of rows 22 metres long spaced 91 cm apart with 30 cm in row spacing between plants. Measured characteristics were based on 10 measurements. Colour determinations were made using the 1986 RHS colour chart.

Comparison tables for 'Almera' with reference variety 'Agria'

Plant height (cm)

Colour of corolla (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Potato: 'Almera' (right) with reference variety 'Agria' (left)