Gemson

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Atlantic'

Summary: The shape of the lightsprout of 'Gemson' is broad cylindrical whereas the shape of the lightsprout of 'Atlantic' is spherical to ovoid. The proportion of blue in the anthocyanin colouration of the base of the lightsprout of 'Gemson' is absent or low whereas the proportion of blue is medium to high for 'Atlantic'. The pubescence of the base of the lightsprout of 'Gemson' is absent or very sparse to sparse whereas the pubescence is dense for 'Atlantic'. The leaflet blade at the apical rosette of 'Gemson' is pubescent whereas the leaflet blade is glabrous for 'Atlantic'. The extent of anthocyanin colouration on the inner side of the corolla of 'Gemson' is low to medium whereas the extent is high for 'Atlantic'.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: medium to large, broad cylindrical shape, few root tips, short to medium length lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, absent or very sparse to sparse density of pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: small in relation to base, closed habit, medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium density of pubescence

PLANT: foliage structure is leaf type where foliage is closed and stems are hardly visible, semi-upright growth habit, mid-season maturity

STEM: no anthocyanin colouration

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

INFLORESCENCE: medium frequency per plant, small to medium size
PEDUNCLE: low extent of anthocyanin colouration
FLOWER BUD: medium extent of anthocyanin colouration
COROLLA: small to medium size
COROLLA (INNER SIDE): low to medium extent of anthocyanin colouration, strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'Gemson' originated from a breeding program of The Scottish Crop Research Institute in Dundee, Scotland. It is the result of a hybridization between the selection designated 'SCR1.85.C.4d.8' and the variety 'Maris Peer' conducted in 1998. Seed from the cross was planted in a greenhouse in 1999 and the resulting tubers were harvested for planting in a field during the spring of 2000. 'Gemson' was selected in 2000 for its agronomic characteristics and resistance to various diseases.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Gemson' was conducted during the growing season of 2015 in Drummond, New Brunswick. The trial consisted of a single, 18.5 metre long row containing 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, or 10 parts of plants, of each variety. Mean differences were significant at the 5% probability level based on a paired Student's t-test.

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