Citadel

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Estima'

Summary: At the base the lightsprout, 'Citadel' has sparse pubescence and a medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration whereas 'Estima' has medium pubescence and an absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration. The lightsprout tip is medium in size in relation to the base for 'Citadel' whereas it is small for 'Estima'. At the tip of the lightsprout, the intensity of anthocyanin colouration is medium for 'Citadel' whereas the intensity is absent or very weak for 'Estima'. The extent of anthocyanin colouration is low to medium along the entire stem for 'Citadel' whereas it is absent for 'Estima'. The second pair of lateral leaflets is narrower than long for 'Citadel' whereas it is as broad as long for 'Estima'. 'Citadel' has a shorter plant height than that of 'Estima'. 'Citadel' has a small corolla whereas 'Estima' has a medium sized corolla. The tuber flesh of 'Citadel' is a medium yellow colour whereas it is light yellow colour for 'Estima'.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: medium size, ovoid, medium number of root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low proportion of blue in the anthocyanin colouration, sparse pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: medium size in relation to base, closed habit, medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration, sparse to medium pubescence

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

STEM: low to medium extent of anthocyanin colouration along the entire stem

LEAF: medium outline, intermediate to open, medium 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: 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 to weak waviness of margin, medium depth of veins, medium glossiness of upper side, no pubescence on blade at apical rosette

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

TUBER: short oval shape, medium yellow flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow depth, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: yellow, weak anthocyanin colouration in reaction to light

Origin & Breeding History: The variety 'Citadel' originated from a cross made in 1995 between AR 89-658 as the female parent and 'Ceasar' as the male parent at the Agrico Research breeding station in Emmeloord, The Netherlands. Seed from the cross was sown in the greenhouse in 1996. The resulting tubers were harvested and planted in the field in the spring of 1997. One of the selected progeny was given the designation as 'Citadel'. Selection criteria were negative mass selection agronomic characteristics and resistance to various diseases.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Citadel' were conducted during the 2013 growing season in Drummond, New Brunswick. Each variety plot 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. The measured characteristics were based on 10 measurements per variety. Mean differences were significant at the 5% probability level based on a paired Student's t-test.

Comparison table for 'Citadel' with reference variety 'Estima'

Plant height (cm)

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Potato: 'Citadel' (left) with reference variety 'Estima' (right)