Opal

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Yukon Gold'

Summary: The pubescence at the base of the lightsprout of 'Opal' is absent or very sparse to sparse whereas the pubescence is medium dense for 'Yukon Gold'. The pubescence at the tip of the lightsprout of 'Opal' is dense whereas the pubescence is sparse for 'Yukon Gold'. The plants of 'Opal' are shorter with a semi-upright growth habit whereas the plants of 'Yukon Gold' have an upright growth habit. The openness of the leaf of 'Opal' is intermediate between closed and open whereas the leaf of 'Yukon Gold' is open. The extent of anthocyanin colouration of the peduncle of 'Opal' is medium to high whereas the extent is low for 'Yukon Gold'. The extent of anthocyanin colouration of the flower bud of 'Opal' is high whereas the extent is low for 'Yukon Gold'. The time of maturity of the plants of 'Opal' is late whereas the plants of 'Yukon Gold' mature mid-season.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: small to medium size, spherical to ovoid shape, few root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, absent or very sparse to sparse pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: medium size in relation to base, closed to intermediate between closed and open habit, weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, dense pubescence

PLANT: foliage structure is stem to intermediate type where foliage is open to half open and stems are clearly to partly visible, semi-upright growth habit, late maturity

STEM: low extent of anthocyanin colouration along entire length

LEAF: outline is medium size, openness is intermediate between closed and open, medium green on upper side, absent or very low extent and absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration on upper side of midrib, medium to strong presence of secondary leaflets, absent or very low frequency of coalescence of terminal and lateral leaflets
SECOND PAIR OF LATERAL LEAFLETS: medium size, leaflet is narrower than long
LEAFLET: weak waviness of margin, medium depth of veins, dull upper side, glabrous blade at apical rosette

INFLORESCENCE: medium frequency per plant, medium size
PEDUNCLE: medium to high extent of anthocyanin colouration
FLOWER BUD: high extent of anthocyanin colouration
COROLLA: medium size
COROLLA (INNER SIDE): high extent of anthocyanin colouration, medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration

TUBER: round to short oval shape, light yellow flesh
TUBER EYE: medium to deep, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: yellow, develops absent or very weak to weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration in reaction to light

Origin & Breeding History: 'Opal' (experimental designation 'K 3489') originated from a cross conducted at the breeding station of Saka Pflanzenzucht GbR in Windeby, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, in 1996, between the varieties 'Diana' and 'Hermes'. It was selected in 1999 for its strong resistance to the main diseases, yield quality, crispness quality, medium to high starch content, and tuber shape.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Opal' was conducted during the growing season of 2015 in Drummond, New Brunswick. The trial consisted of a single, 18.5 metre long row containing 60 plants spaced 0.3 metres apart for each variety. The distance between rows within the trial was 0.9 metres. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants, or 10 parts of plants, of each variety. Mean differences were significant at the 5% probability level based on a paired Student's t-test.

Comparison table for 'Opal' with reference variety 'Yukon Gold'

Plant height (cm)

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Potato: 'Opal' (left) with reference variety 'Yukon Gold' (right)