Francisca

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Natascha'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'Francisca' is large with a broad cylindrical shape and many root tips whereas the lightsprout of 'Natascha' is medium in size with an ovoid shape and a medium number of root tips. The tip of the lightsprout of 'Francisca' has a closed habit and a medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration whereas the tip of the lightsprout of 'Natascha' has an open habit and an absent or very weak to weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration. The pubescence of the base of the lightsprout is dense for 'Francisca' whereas it is sparse for 'Natascha'. The plant of 'Francisca' is shorter than that of 'Natascha'. The extent of anthocyanin colouration of the stem of 'Francisca' is medium along the entire stem whereas the extent is low and only halfway up the stem for 'Natascha'. The frequency of coalescence of the terminal and lateral leaflets is low for 'Francisca' whereas the frequency is absent or very low for 'Natascha'. The extent of anthocyanin colouration of the flower bud is medium for 'Francisca' whereas the extent is absent or very low for 'Natascha'. The tuber of 'Francisca' is short oval to oval in shape whereas the tuber of 'Natascha' is long oval in shape. In reaction to light, the tuber skin of 'Francisca' develops a strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration whereas the tuber skin of 'Natascha' develops a medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration.

Description:

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

PLANT: foliage structure is stem type to intermediate between stem and leaf types where foliage is open to half open and stems are clearly to partly visible, semi-upright growth habit, matures mid to late season

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

INFLORESCENCE: low to medium frequency per plant, small
PEDUNCLE: low extent of anthocyanin colouration
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 inner side, absent or low proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration on inner side

TUBER: short oval to oval shape, medium to dark yellow flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow depth, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: yellow, develops strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration in reaction to light

Origin & Breeding History: The variety 'Francisca' originated from a cross made in 2000 between 'Marabel' as the femaile parent and the selection designated '95-012-4' as the male parent as part of a private breeding program at Saka Pflanzenzucht GmbH & Co. KG breeding station in Windeby, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. The resultant seed was planted in the greenhouse in 2001 and from these, tubers were harvested and planted in the field during the spring of 2002. The variety was selected in 2002 for its agronomic characteristics and resistance to various diseases.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Francisca' 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 'Francisca' with reference variety 'Natascha'

Plant height (cm)

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Potato: 'Francisca' (left) with reference variety 'Natascha' (right)