Everest

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Bintje'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'Everest' is spherical in shape with dense pubescence at the base whereas it is ovoid with sparse pubescence at the base in 'Bintje'. The leaf of 'Everest' has a large outline with a closed to intermediate openness whereas it is medium sized with intermediate to open openness in 'Bintje'. The extent of anthocyanin colouration of the flower bud of 'Everest' is absent or very low whereas it is high on 'Bintje'.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: small size, spherical, root tips few in numbers, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, high proportion of blue in the anthocyanin colouration, dense pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: medium size in relation to base, closed habit, strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium pubescence

PLANT: foliage structure is an intermediate type where foliage is half open and stems are partly visible, semi-upright growth habit, early to medium maturity

STEM: low extent of anthocyanin colouration along the entire stem

LEAF: large outline, closed to intermediate openness, medium to dark green colour, absent or very low extent and absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration on the midrib of the upper side
SECOND PAIR OF LATERAL LEAFLETS: large size, narrower than long width in relation to length
LEAFLETS: strong 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, dull glossiness of upper side, pubescence on blade at apical rosette

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

TUBER: oval to long-oval shape, light yellow flesh
TUBER EYES: medium depth
TUBER SKIN: yellow, yellow at base of eye, absent to weak anthocyanin colouration in reaction to light

Origin & Breeding History: The origin of 'Everest' (experimental designation VR 92-813) is the result of the cross made in 1991 between 'Spunta' as the female parent and 'Maradonna' as the male parent at the Van Rijn KWS B.V., breeding station in Emmeloord, The Netherlands. Selection criteria included maturity, yield, disease resistance, processing traits, morphological traits and storage characters.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials for 'Everest' 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 between rows. Plants were spaced 0.30 metres apart.

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Potato: 'Everest' (left) with reference variety 'Bintje' (right)