Taurus

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Atlantic'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'Taurus' is small and spherical in shape whereas it is medium sized and ovoid for 'Atlantic'. The waviness of the margin of the leaflet in 'Taurus' is weak whereas it is absent or very weak in 'Atlantic'. The leaflets of 'Taurus' have a glossy upper side and veins with a medium depth whereas those of 'Atlantic' have a medium glossiness and deep veins. 'Taurus' has a taller plant height than 'Atlantic'. The extent of the anthocyanin colouration on the inner side of the corolla is absent or very low for 'Taurus' whereas it is high for 'Atlantic'. The intensity of the anthocyanin colouration on the inner side of the corolla is absent or very weak for 'Taurus' whereas it is medium for 'Atlantic'. The plants of 'Taurus' are late maturing whereas those of 'Atlantic' mature mid-season. The tubers of 'Taurus' have a yellow skin and light to medium yellow flesh whereas the skin is light beige and the flesh is cream in colour for the 'Atlantic' tubers.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: small size, spherical, root tips few in numbers, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, with medium proportion of blue in the anthocyanin colouration, medium to dense pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: large size in relation to base, closed habit, weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, 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, 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: large size, as broad as long width in relation to length
LEAFLETS: weak to medium presence of secondary leaflets, absent or very low frequency of coalescence of terminal and lateral leaflets, weak waviness of margin, medium depth of veins, glossy on upper side, no pubescence on blade at apical rosette

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

TUBER: round shape, light to medium yellow flesh
TUBER EYES: medium depth
TUBER SKIN: yellow, yellow at base of eye, medium anthocyanin colouration in reaction to light

Origin & Breeding History: The origin of 'Taurus' is the result of the cross made in 1995 between 'Panda' as the female parent and 'RZ-87-44' 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 'Taurus' 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.

Comparison table for 'Taurus' with reference variety 'Atlantic'

Plant height (cm)

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Potato: 'Taurus' (left) with reference variety 'Atlantic' (right)