Belana

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Exempla'

Summary: 'Belana' has a stem type foliage structure while 'Exempla' has a leaf type structure. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration on the stem is moderate for 'Belana' while it is absent or very weak for 'Exempla'. 'Belana' has absent or very low flowering profusion while it is moderate for 'Exempla'. The buds drop readily for 'Belana' while they persist for 'Exempla'. 'Belana' has a larger proportion of blue in the anthocyanin colouration of the base of the light sprout than 'Exempla'. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the light sprout tip is moderate for 'Belana' and absent or very weak for 'Exempla'.

Description:

PLANT: semi-upright growth habit, stem type foliage structure
STEM: medium anthocyanin colouration located on the lower two thirds, thin, nodes with low swelling

LEAVES: light green, open to intermediate silhouette, absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration on upper side of rachis and petiole, shallow veins, weak waviness of margin, medium glossiness on upper side, low pubescence on leaves at apical rosette, medium presence of secondary leaflets
TERMINAL LEAFLET: medium ovate shape, acute to acuminate tip, obtuse to cordate base, medium frequency of coalescence with lateral leaflets
LATERAL LEAFLET: medium size, narrow ovate shape, acute tip, cordate base

INFLORESCENCE: absent or very low flowering profusion, small, flower buds drop readily, weak anthocyanin colouration of flower bud
COROLLA: white, medium size, prominant star, very weak anthocyanin colouration of inner side and on peduncle

TUBER: oval
TUBER SKIN: yellow, yellow at base of eye, medium anthocyanin colouration in reaction to light, rough and flaky texture
TUBER EYES: shallow in depth, predominantly apical distribution, eyebrows not prominent
TUBER FLESH: dark yellow, no secondary colour

LIGHT SPROUT: medium size, ovoid shape, few root tips, short lateral shoots
BASE: strong anthocyanin colouration, medium proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, sparse pubescence
TIP: smaller than base in size, closed habit, medium anthocyanin colouration, sparse pubescence

Origin & Breeding History: 'Belana' originated from a cross between 'Milva' and 'E 87/66', made in Petersgroden, Germany in 1990. The selection process was based on negative agronomic criteria.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Belana' were conducted in Drummond, New Brunswick in 2007. All entries were planted in single-row plots. Plots consisted of rows 22 metres long with 30 cm in row spacing between plants and spacing between rows of 91 cm. Measured characteristics were based on 10 measurements. Colour determinations were made using the 1986 RHS colour chart.

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Potato: 'Belana' (right) with reference variety 'Exempla' (left)