Red Magic

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Red Pontiac'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'Red Magic' has a narrow cylindrical shape with medium to long lateral shoots whereas the lightsprout of 'Red Pontiac' is ovoid in shape with short lateral shoots. 'Red Magic' has a weak to medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration on the base of the lightsprout whereas it is strong in 'Red Pontiac'. The plants of 'Red Magic' have a higher extent of anthocyanin colouration on the stem and the midrib of the upper side of the leaf whereas these are low in plants of 'Red Pontiac'. 'Red Magic' has a shorter plant height than 'Red Pontiac'. The plants of 'Red Magic are late maturing whereas those of 'Red Pontiac' mature mid-season. The tubers of 'Red Magic' have a short oval to oval shape with eyes that are shallow to medium in depth whereas the tubers of 'Red Pontiac' are round with deep eyes. The tuber flesh of 'Red Magic' is cream coloured whereas it is white in 'Red Pontiac'.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: medium to large size, narrow cylindrical shape, many root tips, medium to long lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: weak to medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, medium pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: small size in relation to base, closed habit, medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium pubescence

PLANT: foliage structure is an intermediate type where foliage is half open and stems are partly visible, upright growth habit, late maturity

STEM: high extent of anthocyanin colouration along the entire length

LEAF: medium size outline, intermediate openness, dark green colour, high extent and medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration on the midrib of the upper side
SECOND PAIR OF LATERAL LEAFLETS: medium size, narrower than long width in relation to length
LEAFLETS: medium presence of secondary leaflets, absent or very low frequency of coalescence of terminal and lateral leaflets, absent or very weak waviness of margin, medium depth of veins, medium glossiness of upper side, no pubescence on blade at apical rosette

INFLORESCENCE: medium frequency per plant, medium size, high extent of anthocyanin colouration on peduncle
FLOWER BUD: high extent of anthocyanin colouration
COROLLA: medium size, medium to strong intensity and very high extent of anthocyanin colouration on the inner side, with absent or low proportion of blue

TUBER: short oval to oval shape, cream flesh
TUBER EYES: shallow to medium depth
TUBER SKIN: red, red at base of eye

Origin & Breeding History: The origin of 'Red Magic' is the result of the cross made in 1989 between 'Chieftain' and 'D191.103' in Ithaca, New York, USA. Selection criteria included appearance, disease and pest resistance, yield, cooking and frying quality.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials for 'Red Magic' were conducted during the 2012 growing season in Drummond, New Brunswick. Each plot per variety consisted of 60 plants grown in a single row with a row length of 18.5 metres and a row spacing of 0.9 metres. Plants were spaced 0.30 metres apart.

Comparison table for 'Red Magic' with reference variety 'Red Pontiac'

Plant height (cm)

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Potato: 'Red Magic' (left) with reference variety 'Red Pontiac' (right)