Toscana

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Satina'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'Toscana' has dense pubescence with a medium number of root tips whereas the lightsprout of 'Satina' has medium density pubescence with few root tips. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration at the tip of the lightsprout of 'Toscana' is medium whereas the intensity is absent or very weak for 'Satina'. The extent of anthocyanin colouration on the stem of 'Toscana' is high whereas the extent is low on the stem of 'Satina'. The anthocyanin colouration of the midrib on the upper side of the leaf is of medium extent and medium intensity whereas the anthocyanin colouration of the midrib of 'Satina' is of absent or very low extent and absent or very weak intensity. The frequency of coalescence of the terminal and lateral leaflets is medium for 'Toscana' whereas the frequency is absent or very low for 'Satina'. At the apical rosette, the leaflet blade of 'Toscana' is pubescent whereas the leaflet blade of 'Satina' is glabrous. The extent of anthocyanin colouration of the flower bud is high for 'Toscana' whereas the extent is absent or very low for 'Satina'. The extent of anthocyanin colouration of the peduncle is high for 'Toscana' whereas the extent is low for 'Satina'.

Description:

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

PLANT: foliage structure is intermediate to leaf type where foliage is half open to closed and stems are partly visible to not, or hardly visible, semi-upright growth habit, matures late

STEM: high extent of anthocyanin colouration along entire stem

LEAF: outline is medium size, openness is intermediate between closed and open, medium to dark green on upper side, medium extent and medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration on midrib of upper side, medium to strong presence of secondary leaflets, medium frequency of coalescence of terminal and lateral leaflets
SECOND PAIR OF LATERAL LEAFLETS: medium size, leaflet is narrower than long
LEAFLET: medium waviness of margin, shallow to medium depth of veins, dull upper side, pubescent blade at apical rosette

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

TUBER: short oval shape, medium yellow flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow depth, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: yellow, develops weak to medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration in reaction to light

Origin & Breeding History: The variety 'Toscana' originated from a cross made in 1998 between 'Marabel' as the female parent and 'Valetta' as the male parent as part of a private breeding program at the Saka Pflanzenzucht breeding facility in Windeby, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. The resultant seed was planted in a greenhouse in 1999 and from these, tubers were harvested and planted in the field during the spring of 2000. The variety was selected in 2001 for its agronomic characteristics and resistance to various diseases.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Toscana' 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.

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Potato: 'Toscana' (left) with reference variety 'Satina' (right)