Ludmilla

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Russet Burbank'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'Ludmilla' is ovoid in shape with lateral shoots of medium length and a medium density of pubescence at the base whereas the lightsprout of 'Russet Burbank' is spherical in shape with short lateral shoots and dense pubescence at the base. The anthocyanin colouration on the stem of 'Ludmilla' is present at the base only whereas it is along the entire stem of 'Russet Burbank'. The leaf of 'Ludmilla' has a large outline and a medium presence of secondary leaflets whereas the leaf of 'Russet Burbank' has a medium size outline and a weak presence of secondary leaflets. The anthocyanin colouration on the midrib of the upper side of the leaf is absent for 'Ludmilla' whereas it is of medium extent and weak intensity for 'Russet Burbank'. The frequency of coalescence of the terminal and lateral leaflets is medium to high for 'Ludmilla' whereas it is absent or very low for 'Russet Burbank'. The extent of anthocyanin colouration of the flower bud of 'Ludmilla' is absent or very low whereas the extent is high for 'Russet Burbank'. The plant of 'Ludmilla' is taller than that of 'Russet Burbank'. The extent of anthocyanin colouration of the peduncle of 'Ludmilla' is absent or very low whereas the extent is medium for 'Russet Burbank'. The plant of 'Ludmilla' matures mid to late season whereas that of 'Russet Burbank' matures late to very late. The tuber of 'Ludmilla' is long oval in shape with cream to light yellow flesh whereas the tuber of 'Russet Burbank' is long with white flesh.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: medium size, ovoid shape, few root tips, medium length 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, habit is intermediate between closed and open, absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium density of 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, matures mid to late season

STEM: low extent of anthocyanin colouration at base only

LEAF: outline is large, open, medium green on upper side, no anthocyanin colouration on midrib of upper side, medium presence of secondary leaflets, medium to high frequency of coalescence of terminal and lateral leaflets
SECOND PAIR OF LATERAL LEAFLETS: medium to large, leaflet is narrower than long
LEAFLET: weak waviness of margin, shallow to medium depth of veins, medium glossiness of upper side, pubescent blade at apical rosette

INFLORESCENCE: medium frequency per plant, medium size
PEDUNCLE: absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration
FLOWER BUD: absent or very low 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: long oval shape, cream to light yellow flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow depth, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: reddish brown

Origin & Breeding History: The variety 'Ludmilla' originated from a cross made in 1999 between 'Diana' as the female parent and 'Innovator' as the male parent as part of a private breeding program at the Saka Pflanzenzucht breeding station in Windeby, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. The resultant seed was planted in the 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 'Ludmilla' 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. Mean differences were significant at the 5% probability level based on a paired Student's t-test.

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

Plant height (cm)

Click on image for larger view

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