Cristina

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Rooster'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'Cristina' has few root tips whereas that of 'Rooster' has a medium number of root tips. The tip of the lightsprout of 'Cristina' has medium density pubescence whereas the pubescence is sparse on 'Rooster'. The outline of the leaf of 'Cristina' is large whereas it is medium size for 'Rooster'. The upper side of the leaflet of 'Cristina' is glossy whereas the upper side of the leaflet of 'Rooster' is dull. The extent of anthocyanin colouration of the flower bud is medium for 'Cristina' whereas the extent is high for 'Rooster'. The anthocyanin colouration of the inner side of the corolla of 'Cristina' is of very high extent and strong intensity whereas the anthocyanin colouration is of high extent and medium intensity for the corolla of 'Rooster'. The plant of 'Cristina' matures mid to late season whereas that of 'Rooster' matures late to very late in the season. The tuber of 'Cristina' has white flesh whereas the tuber of 'Rooster' has a medium to dark yellow flesh.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: medium size, ovoid shape, few root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, sparse pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: medium size in relation to base, closed habit, medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium density of pubescence

PLANT: foliage structure is stem type where foliage is open and stems are clearly visible, semi-upright growth habit, matures mid to late season

STEM: high to very high extent of anthocyanin colouration along entire stem

LEAF: large outline, openness is intermediate between closed and open, dark green on upper side, high extent and medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration on midrib of upper side, medium presence of secondary leaflets, absent or very low frequency of coalescence of terminal and lateral leaflets
SECOND PAIR OF LATERAL LEAFLETS: large, leaflet is narrower than long
LEAFLET: weak to medium waviness of margin, medium depth of veins, glossy upper side, glabrous blade at apical rosette

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

TUBER: short oval to oval shape, white flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow depth, red at base
TUBER SKIN: red

Origin & Breeding History: The variety 'Cristina' originated from a cross made in 1999 between the selection designated 'T958/5' as the female parent and 'Rooster' as the male parent at Teagasc in Oak Park, County Carlow, Ireland. A phenotypic recurrent selection technique was used in the development of 'Cristina'. This involved an intensive evaluation process of 10 years in public and industry trials throughout Europe before the selection of 'Cristina' in 2001, as a seedling from a field at the crop research station at Teagasc. It was selected for its maturity, yield, disease resistance, and storage characteristics.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Cristina' was conducted during the growing season of 2014 in Drummond, New Brunswick. The trial consisted of a single row with 60 plants spaced 0.3 metres apart for each variety. The distance between rows within the trial was 0.9 metres. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety.

Click on image for larger view

Potato: 'Cristina' (left) with reference variety 'Rooster' (right)