Alaska Bloom

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Yukon Gold'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'Alaska Bloom' has an ovoid shape and a medium number of root tips whereas the lightsprout of 'Yukon Gold' has a spherical shape and a few root tips. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration at the tip of the lightsprout for 'Alaska Bloom' is medium to strong whereas it is weak to medium for 'Yukon Gold'. The lightsprout of 'Alaska Bloom' has sparse to medium pubescence at the base and medium to dense pubescense at the tip whereas the lightsprout of 'Yukon Gold' has dense pubescence at the base and sparse pubescence at the tip. The frequency of coalescence of the terminal and lateral leaflets of 'Alaska Bloom' is high whereas it is absent or very low in 'Yukon Gold'. Anthocyanin colouration on the inner side of the flower corolla is of medium extent and intensity for 'Alaska Bloom' whereas it is of high extent and weak intensity for 'Yukon Gold'. The plants of 'Alaska Bloom' mature mid-season whereas those of 'Yukon Gold' mature early. The tubers of 'Alaska Bloom' have a cream coloured flesh whereas the flesh is light yellow for the 'Yukon Gold' tubers.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: medium size, ovoid, medium number of root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low proportion of blue in the anthocyanin colouration, sparse to medium pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: small size in relation to base, closed habit, medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium to dense pubescence

PLANT: foliage structure is a leaf type where foliage is closed and stems are not, or hardly visible, semi-upright growth habit, matures mid-season

STEM: low to medium extent of anthocyanin colouration along the entire stem

LEAF: medium outline, intermediate openness, medium green colour, absent or low extent and absent to weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration on the midrib of the upper side
SECOND PAIR OF LATERAL LEAFLETS: medium size, narrower than long width in relation to length
LEAFLETS: medium presence of secondary leaflets, high frequency of coalescence of terminal and lateral leaflets, medium waviness of margin, medium to deep veins, medium glossiness on upper side, no pubescence on blade at apical rosette

INFLORESCENCE: medium to high frequency per plant, medium size, medium extent of anthocyanin colouration on peduncle
FLOWER BUD: medium extent of anthocyanin colouration
COROLLA: medium size, medium extent and intensity of anthocyanin colouration on the inner side, absent or low proportion of blue in the anthocyanin colouration

TUBER: round shape, cream coloured flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow depth, red at base
TUBER SKIN: yellow, weak anthocyanin colouration in reaction to light

Origin & Breeding History: The variety 'Alaska Bloom' originated from a cross between 'Nadine' as the female parent and 'Picasso' as the male parent, made at the AFBI breeding station located in Loughgall, Co. Armagh, United Kingdom in 1996. 'Alaska Bloom' was selected in the field as a seedling in 1997 at RJ Cherry's farm in Carnlea Ballymena, Northern Ireland. A recurrent selection technique was utilized in its development along with an intensive evaluation process of 9 years in private and public trials. Selection criteria included maturity, yield, disease resistance, processing traits, morphological traits and storage characteristics.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Alaska Bloom' was conducted during the 2013 growing season in Drummond, New Brunswick. Each variety plot consisted of 60 plants grown in a single row with a row length of 18.5 metres and a row spacing of 0.9 metres between rows. Plants were spaced 0.30 metres apart.

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Potato: 'Alaska Bloom' (left) with reference variety 'Yukon Gold' (right)