Challenger

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Bintje'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'Challenger' is spherical in shape whereas it is ovoid for 'Bintje'. The intensity of the anthocyanin colouration at the base of the lightsprout for 'Challenger' is weak with the proportion of blue as absent or very low whereas the intensity of the anthocyanin colouration is very strong with a high the proportion of blue for 'Bintje'. At the tip of the lightsprout, the intensity of the anthocyanin colouration is absent or very weak for 'Challenger' whereas it is of medium intensity for 'Bintje'. On the stem, the extent of the anthocyanin colouration is absent for 'Challenger' whereas the it is low to medium along the entire stem for 'Bintje'. The leaves of 'Challenger' have an intermediate openness whereas these are intermediate to open in 'Bintje'. 'Challenger' has a medium to strong presence of secondary leaflets whereas it is medium in 'Bintje'. The extent of the anthocyanin colouration on the flower bud and peduncle is absent or very weak for 'Challenger' whereas the extent is high on the flower bud and medium on the peduncle in 'Bintje'.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: medium size, spherical, root tips few in numbers, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, with absent or low proportion of blue in the anthocyanin colouration, medium pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: medium size in relation to base, closed 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 maturity

STEM: no anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: medium outline, intermediate openness, 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 to strong presence of secondary leaflets, low to medium frequency of coalescence of terminal and lateral leaflets, weak waviness of margin, medium depth of veins, dull glossiness of upper side, pubescence on blade at apical rosette

INFLORESCENCE: medium frequency per plant, medium size, absent or very low 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 to medium yellow flesh
TUBER EYES: shallow depth
TUBER SKIN: yellow, yellow at base of eye, absent to weak anthocyanin colouration in reaction to light

Origin & Breeding History: The origin of 'Challenger' is the result of the cross made in 1995 between 'Aziza' as the female parent and 'Victoria' as the male parent at the HZPC Research & Development Centre in Metslawier, The Netherlands. Selection criteria included internal and external quality, yield and resistances against different diseases and pests.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials for 'Challenger' 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: 'Challenger' (left) with reference variety 'Bintje' (right)