Red Desire

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Asterix'

Summary: The leaves of 'Red Desire' are shorter than those of 'Asterix'. 'Red Desire' has very strong anthocyanin colouration on the upper side of the leaf rachis and petioles whereas it is medium on 'Asterix'. The leaflet margins of 'Red Desire' have weak waviness whereas they are strong on 'Asterix'. The light sprouts of 'Red Desire' are spherical in shape with a closed habit at the tip whereas they are ovoid with an intermediate habit on 'Asterix'.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit, intermediate type foliage structure

STEM: strong anthocyanin colouration, thin main stem, low swelling at nodes

LEAVES: light green, intermediate silhouette, very strong anthocyanin colouration on upper side of rachis and petiole, high frequency of coalescence, medium depth of veins, weak waviness of margin, medium glossiness of upper side, medium pubescence, weak presence of secondary leaflets
TERMINAL LEAFLET: broadly ovate, acute tip, cordate base
LATERAL LEAFLET: medium size, narrowly ovate, acute tip, cordate base

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

TUBER: oblong, medium to dark yellow flesh with no secondary colour
TUBER EYES: shallow, predominantly apical distribution, eyebrows not prominent
TUBER SKIN: red, red at base of eye, smooth texture

LIGHT SPROUT: small, spherical shape, medium number of root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHT SPROUT BASE: strong anthocyanin colouration, no blue in anthocyanin colouration, medium pubescence
LIGHT SPROUT TIP: equal in size to base, closed habit, medium anthocyanin colouration, absent or very sparse pubescence

Origin & Breeding History: 'Red Desire' originated from the cross of '79/91/171L' and 'Laura', made in Bohlendorf, Germany in 1997. The selection process was based on positive agronomic criteria.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Red Desire' 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 'Red Desire' with reference variety 'Asterix'

Leaf length (cm)

Leaf width (cm)

Colour of corolla (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Potato: 'Red Desire' (right) with reference variety 'Asterix' (left)