Abbot

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Bintje'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'Abbot' is large, conical with strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration at the base whereas it is medium sized, ovoid with very strong anthocyanin colouration at the base for 'Bintje'. The pubescence at the base of the lightsprout for 'Abbot' is dense whereas it is sparse for 'Bintje'. The leaf colour of 'Abbot' is dark green while it is medium green for 'Bintje'. The leaflets of 'Abbot' have medium to strong waviness at the margin whereas 'Bintje' has medium waviness at the margin. The plants of 'Abbot' are shorter than those of 'Bintje'. The extent of anthocyanin colouration on the peduncle of 'Abbot' is absent or very weak whereas it is medium on the peduncle of 'Bintje'. The flower corolla of 'Abbot' is medium to large whereas it is small for 'Bintje'. The inner side of the flower corolla of 'Abbot' has medium to strong intensity and a very high extent of anthocyanin colouration whereas the flower corolla of 'Bintje' has absent or very weak intensity and extent of anthocyanin colouration. The plants of 'Abbot' mature early while 'Bintje' matures late season.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: large size, conical shape, medium number of root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, with medium proportion of blue in the anthocyanin colouration, dense pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: medium size in relation to base, open habit, weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, dense pubescence

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

STEM: medium extent of anthocyanin colouration halfway up the stem

LEAF: medium outline, intermediate to open, dark green colour, low extent and medium 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, low frequency of coalescence of terminal and lateral leaflets, medium to strong waviness of margin, medium depth of veins, medium glossiness of upper side, no pubescence on blade at apical rosette

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

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

Origin & Breeding History: The origin of 'Abbot' (experimental designation CMK1998-601-035) is the result of the cross made in 1997 between 'Asterix' as the female parent and 'RH88-025-050' as the male parent at the C. Meijer B.V. Breeding Station in Rilland, The Netherlands. Selection criteria were yield, tuber appearance, storability and disease resistance.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials for 'Abbot' 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 'Abbot' with reference variety 'Bintje'

Plant height (cm)

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