Romera

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Mozart'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'Romera' is large with an ovoid shape and many root tips whereas the lightsprout of 'Mozart' is small with a spherical shape and few root tips. The base of the lightsprout of 'Romera' has a strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration and medium density pubescence whereas the base of the lightsprout of 'Mozart' has an absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration and absent or very sparse pubescence. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the tip of the lightsprout of 'Romera' is strong whereas the intensity is absent or very weak for 'Mozart'. The leaf of 'Romera' has a weak presence of secondary leaflets whereas the leaf of 'Mozart' has a medium to strong presence of secondary leaflets. The anthocyanin colouration of the midrib on the upper side of the leaf is of medium extent and weak to medium intensity whereas the anthocyanin colouration of the midrib of the leaf of 'Mozart' is of high extent and strong intensity. The frequency of coalescence of the terminal and lateral leaflets of 'Romera' is medium whereas the frequency is absent or very low for 'Mozart'. At the apical rosette, the leaflet blade of 'Romera' is pubescent whereas the leaflet blade of 'Mozart' is glabrous. The extent of anthocyanin colouration of the flower bud of 'Romera' is absent or very low whereas the extent is medium for 'Mozart'. The colour at the base of the eye of the tuber of 'Romera' is yellow whereas it is white for 'Mozart'.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: large, ovoid shape, many root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, medium density of pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: small in relation to base, habit is intermediate between closed and open, strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, sparse pubescence

PLANT: foliage structure is intermediate between stem and leaf types where foliage is half open and stems are partly visible, semi-upright growth habit, time of maturity is late

STEM: medium 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 weak to medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration on midrib of upper side, weak 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: absent or very weak waviness of margin, medium depth of veins, glossy upper side, glabrous blade at apical rosette

INFLORESCENCE: low to medium frequency per plant, small to medium size
PEDUNCLE: low to medium extent of anthocyanin colouration
FLOWER BUD: absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration
COROLLA: medium size, low to medium extent and medium 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, medium yellow flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: red

Origin & Breeding History: The variety 'Romera' originated from a cross made in 1999 between 'Belladonna' as the female parent and 'Laura' 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 2000 and from these, tubers were harvested and planted in the field during the spring of 2001. The variety was selected in 2001 for its agronomic characteristics and resistance to various diseases.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Romera' 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: 'Romera' (left) with reference variety 'Mozart' (right)