Sage Russet

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Russet Burbank'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'Sage Russet' is large with a narrow cylindrical shape and has long lateral shoots whereas that of 'Russet Burbank' is small to medium sized, spherical and has short lateral shoots. The pubescense at the base of the lightsprout is absent to very sparse for 'Sage Russet' whereas 'Russet Burbank' has medium to dense pubescence at the base. The lightsprout tip of 'Sage Russet' is small in relation to the base with an intermediate habit whereas it is medium sized in relation to the base with a closed habit in 'Russet Burbank'. 'Sage Russet' has an upright growth habit whereas it semi-upright for 'Russet Burbank'. The openness of the leaf of 'Sage Russet' is intermediate while it is open for 'Russet Burbank'. On the upper side of the leaf midrib, the extent of anthocyanin colouration is low for 'Sage Russet' whereas it is of medium extent for 'Russet Burbank'. The frequency of flowers per plant is high for 'Sage Russet' whereas it is low for 'Russet Burbank'. 'Sage Russet' has medium sized inflorescences whereas those of 'Russet Burbank' are small. 'Sage Russet' has a shorter plant height than 'Russet Burbank'. The tubers of 'Sage Russet' have eyes at a shallow depth whereas the tubers of 'Russet Burbank' have eyes at a medium depth.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: large, narrow cylindrical shape, root tips few in numbers, long lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent to medium proportion of blue in the anthocyanin colouration, absent or very sparse pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: small size in relation to base, intermediate 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 growth habit, late maturity

STEM: medium to high extent of anthocyanin colouration along the entire length

LEAF: medium outline, intermediate openness, medium green colour, low extent and 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 presence of secondary leaflets, absent or very low frequency of coalescence of terminal and lateral leaflets, weak waviness of margin, medium depth of veins, medium glossiness of upper side, pubescence on blade at apical rosette

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

TUBER: long shape, white flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow depth, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: reddish brown, absent to weak anthocyanin colouration in reaction to light

Origin & Breeding History: The variety 'Sage Russet' originated from a cross between 'A89284-10' as the female parent and 'A9194-4' as the male parent, made in Aberdeen, Idaho, USA in 1996. Seed from the cross was sown in the greenhouse in 1997 and the resulting tubers were harvested and planted in the field in 1998 at Powell Butte, Oregon. One of the selected progeny from the single hills was given the designation 'Sage Russet' and evaluated throughout Oregon from 2001 to 2007. Selection criteria were negative mass selection for agronomic characteristics and resistance to various diseases.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Sage Russet' were conducted during the 2013 growing season in Drummond, New Brunswick. Each variety plot 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. The measured characteristics were based on 10 measurements per variety. Mean differences were significant at the 5% probability level based on a paired Student's t-test.

Comparison table for 'Sage Russet' with reference variety 'Russet Burbank'

Plant height (cm)

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Potato: 'Sage Russet' (left) with reference variety 'Russet Burbank' (right)