Colomba

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Agata'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'Colomba' is ovoid in shape with a strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration at the base and few root tips whereas the lightsprout of 'Agata' is broad cylindrical in shape with absent or very weak to weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration at the base and many root tips. The plant of 'Colomba' has an upright to semi-upright growth habit whereas that of 'Agata' has a semi-upright to spreading growth habit. The anthocyanin colouration on the stem of 'Colomba' is of medium extent halfway up the stem whereas 'Agata' has no anthocyanin colouration on the stem. The leaflet from the second pair of lateral leaflets of 'Colomba' is narrower than long whereas the leaflet from the second pair of lateral leaflets of 'Agata' is as broad as it is long. The extent of anthocyanin colouration of the flower bud and peduncle of 'Colomba' is medium whereas the extent is absent or very low for 'Agata'. The inflorescence of 'Colomba' is medium size whereas the inflorescence of 'Agata' is small.

Description:

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

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

STEM: medium extent of anthocyanin colouration halfway up stem

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

INFLORESCENCE: medium frequency per plant, medium size
PEDUNCLE: medium 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 shape, light yellow flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow depth, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: yellow, develops weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration in reaction to light

Origin & Breeding History: The variety 'Colomba' originated from a cross made in 1999 between 'Carrera' as the female parent and 'Agata' as the male parent at HZPC Research and Development in Metslawier, The Netherlands. In 2000, 'Colomba' was selected from the resultant F1 for its yield, internal and external quality, and resistance to different diseases and pests. The testing was conducted in The Netherlands as well as at different locations abroad.

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