Soraya

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Yukon Gold'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'Soraya' is ovoid in shape with medium density pubescence at the base and a medium number of root tips whereas the lightsprout of 'Yukon Gold' is spherical in shape with dense pubescence at the base and few root tips. The anthocyanin colouration of the midrib on the upper side of the leaf is of medium extent and medium intensity for 'Soraya' whereas the anthocyanin colouration on the midrib is of absent or very low extent and absent or very weak intensity for 'Yukon Gold'. The frequency of coalescence of the terminal and lateral leaflets of 'Soraya' is low whereas the frequency is absent or very low for 'Yukon Gold'. The anthocyanin colouration of the inner side of the corolla of 'Soraya' is of absent or very low extent and absent or very weak intensity whereas the anthocyanin colouration of the corolla of 'Yukon Gold' is of high extent and weak intensity. The colour at the base of the eye on the tuber of 'Soraya' is yellow whereas it is red for 'Yukon Gold'. The tuber of 'Soraya has medium to dark yellow flesh whereas the tuber of 'Yukon Gold' has light yellow flesh. In reaction to light, the tuber skin of 'Soraya' develops medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration whereas the tuber skin of 'Yukon Gold' develops none or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration.

Description:

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

STEM: medium extent of anthocyanin colouration along entire stem

LEAF: outline is medium size, openness is intermediate between closed and open, medium green on upper side, medium extent and medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration on midrib of upper side, strong 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, medium depth of veins, glossy upper side, glabrous blade at apical rosette

INFLORESCENCE: low 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 medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration in reaction to light

Origin & Breeding History: The variety 'Soraya' originated from a cross made in 1998 between 'Marabel' as the female parent and the selection designated '1.307 120-93' as the male parent as part of a private breeding program at the Norika breeding facility in Gross Lüsewitz, Germany. The resultant seed was planted in the greenhouse in 1999 and from these, tubers were harvested and planted in the field in Gross Lüsewitz, Germany, in 2000. The variety was selected in 2000 for its agronomic characteristics and resistance to various diseases.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Soraya' 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: 'Soraya' (left) with reference variety 'Yukon Gold' (right)