Novella

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Estima'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'Novella' is broad cylindrical in shape with medium density of pubescence at the tip whereas it is ovoid in shape with sparse pubescence at the tip of the lightsprout in 'Estima'. There is a low frequency of flowers per plant on 'Novella' whereas it is medium on 'Estima'. The plants of 'Novella' are late to very late maturing whereas those of 'Estima' mature mid-season. The tubers of 'Novella' are oval to long oval in shape whereas those of 'Estima' are round to oval.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: medium to large size, broad cylindrical shape, medium number of root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration and absent or low proportion of blue in the anthocyanin colouration, sparse to medium pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: small size in relation to base, closed to intermediate habit, absent or very weak 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, late to very late maturity

STEM: no anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: medium outline, intermediate to open, 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: medium size, narrower than long width in relation to length
LEAFLETS: weak to medium presence of secondary leaflets, low frequency of coalescence of terminal and lateral leaflets, weak waviness of margin, shallow to medium depth of veins, medium glossiness of upper side, no pubescence on blade at apical rosette

INFLORESCENCE: low frequency per plant, small size, extent of anthocyanin colouration on peduncle is absent or very low
FLOWER BUD: extent of anthocyanin colouration is absent or very low
COROLLA: medium 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: shallow depth
TUBER SKIN: yellow, yellow at base of eye, weak to medium anthocyanin colouration in reaction to light

Origin & Breeding History: The origin of 'Novella' is the result of the cross made in 1992 between 'Lutetia' as the female parent and 'CB 76-9810' as the male parent at the Agrico Research breeding station in Emmeloord, The Netherlands. Selection criteria were negative mass selection agronomic characteristics and resistance to various diseases.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials for 'Novella' 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: 'Novella' (left) with reference variety 'Estima' (right)