Dakota Trailblazer

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Russet Burbank'

Summary: The size of the lightsprout of 'Dakota Trailblazer' is large whereas the lightsprout of 'Russet Burbank' is small to medium size. The lightsprout of 'Dakota Trailblazer' is broad cylindrical in shape with medium to many root tips whereas the lightsprout of 'Russet Burbank' is spherical in shape with few root tips. The extent of anthocyanin colouration of the stem of 'Dakota Trailblazer' is absent or very low whereas the extent is low for 'Russet Burbank'. The size of the inflorescence of 'Dakota Trailblazer' is large whereas the inflorescence of 'Russet Burbank' is small. The extent of anthocyanin colouration of the peduncle of 'Dakota Trailblazer' is absent or very low whereas the extent is medium for 'Russet Burbank'. The size of the corolla of 'Dakota Trailblazer' is medium to large whereas the corolla of 'Russet Burbank' is small. The time of maturity of the plants of 'Dakota Trailblazer' is mid-season to late whereas the plants of 'Russet Burbank' mature late to very late.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: large, broad cylindrical shape, medium to many root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low to medium proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, medium density of pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: medium size in relation to base, closed habit, weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium density of pubescence

PLANT: foliage structure is intermediate type where foliage is half open and stems are partly visible, upright growth habit, mid-season to late maturity

STEM: no anthocyanin colouration

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

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

TUBER: oval to long oval shape, white flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: reddish brown

Origin & Breeding History: 'Dakota Trailblazer' (experimental designation 'AOND95249-1 Russ') originated from the United States Department of Agriculture-ARS Potato Breeding Program at Aberdeen, Idaho, USA. The cross was conducted in 1995 and involved the selection designated 'A89163-3LS', as the female parent, and the selection designated 'A8914-4', as the male parent. The resulting true seed was sent to Oregon State University where the seedling tubers were produced. From these, unselected seedling tubers were transferred to the North Dakota University potato breeding program in 2000, as part of a traditional seedling exchange between the two breeding programs. During the first three years in the field, the selection criteria were mainly visual characteristics such as tuber appearance, shape, size, tuber eyes, smooth skin, pigmented tuber skin and flesh, and uniform tubers. Subsequent trials that were replicated in different locations used yield and yield components, quality, disease resistance, and chemical characteristics as selection criteria. From the 338 seedling tubers, 'Dakota Trailblazer' was selected in the fall of 2000, in Dawson, North Dakota.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Dakota Trailblazer' 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: 'Dakota Trailblazer' (left) with reference variety 'Russet Burbank' (right)