Gioconda

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Agata'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'Gioconda' is small with an ovoid shape and few root tips whereas the lightsprout of 'Agata' is medium to large with a broad cylindrical shape and many root tips. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration at the base of the lightsprout is strong for 'Gioconda' whereas the intensity is absent or very weak to weak for 'Agata'. The plant of 'Gioconda' has an upright to semi-upright growth habit whereas that of 'Agata' has a semi-upright to spreading growth habit. The stem of 'Gioconda' has a high extent of anthocyanin colouration along the entire stem whereas 'Agata' has no anthocyanin colouration on the stem. The leaf of 'Gioconda' has a weak presence of secondary leaflets whereas the leaf of 'Agata' has a medium to strong presence of secondary leaflets. The upper side of the leaf of 'Gioconda' is dark green whereas the leaf of 'Agata' is medium green on the upper side. The leaflet from the second pair of lateral leaflets is narrower than it is long for 'Gioconda' whereas the leaflet of 'Agata' is as broad as it is long. The extent of anthocyanin colouration of the flower bud is high for 'Gioconda' whereas it is absent or very low for 'Agata'. The anthocyanin colouration on the inner side of the corolla of 'Gioconda' is of medium to high extent and weak intensity whereas the extent is absent or low and the intensity is absent or very weak for 'Agata'. In reaction to light, the tuber skin of 'Gioconda' develops a medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration whereas the tuber skin of 'Agata' develops none or a very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: small, ovoid shape, few root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, medium to dense pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: small in relation to base, closed habit, medium to 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, upright to semi-upright growth habit, time of maturity is mid-season

STEM: high extent of anthocyanin colouration along entire stem

LEAF: outline is medium size, openness is intermediate between closed and open to open, dark green on upper side, anthocyanin colouration of midrib of upper side is absent, weak presence of secondary leaflets, absent or very 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, medium to deep veins, glossy upper side, glabrous blade at apical rosette

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

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

Origin & Breeding History: The variety 'Gioconda' originated from a cross made in 1998 between 'Vivaldi' as the female parent and 'Carrera' as the male parent at HZPC Research and Development Centre in Metslawier, The Netherlands. The variety was selected from the F1 progeny in 1999 for its yield, internal and external quality, and resistance to different diseases and pests. The testing was conducted in The Netherlands and at different locations abroad.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Gioconda' 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.

Click on image for larger view

Potato: 'Gioconda' (left) with reference variety 'Agata' (right)