Butterfly

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Agata'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'Butterfly' is ovoid in shape with a medium number of root tips whereas the lightsprout of 'Agata' is broad cylindrical in shape with many root tips. The tip of the lightsprout for 'Butterfly' has sparse pubescence and a closed habit whereas that of 'Agata' has a medium density of pubescence and a habit that is intermediate between closed and open. The intensity of the anthocyanin colouration of the lightsprout of 'Butterfly' is very strong on the entire lightsprout whereas it is absent or very weak to weak at the base and medium at the tip for 'Agata'. The proportion of blue in the anthocyanin colouration at the base of the lightsprout is high on 'Butterfly' whereas it is medium on 'Agata'. The foliage structure of 'Butterfly' is an intermediate type with the foliage half open and stems partly visible whereas that of 'Agata' is a leaf type with the foliage closed and stems not, or hardly, visible. The extent of anthocyanin colouration along the entire stem of 'Butterfly' is medium whereas it is absent for 'Agata'. The upper side of the leaf of 'Butterfly' is light green whereas it is medium green for 'Agata'. On the upper side of the midrib of the leaf, the anthocyanin colouration for 'Butterfly' is of medium intensity whereas it is absent or very weak for 'Agata'. 'Butterfly' has a medium frequency of coalescence of the terminal and lateral leaflets whereas it is absent or very low in 'Agata'. The plant of 'Butterfly' is shorter than that of 'Agata'. The tuber of 'Butterfly' has dark yellow flesh whereas the tuber of 'Agata' has light yellow flesh.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: medium size, ovoid shape, medium number of root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, high proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, medium to dense pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: small in relation to base, closed habit, very 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, matures early to mid-season

STEM: medium extent of anthocyanin colouration along entire stem

LEAF: outline is small to medium size, openness is intermediate between closed and open, light green on upper side, low extent and medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration on midrib of upper side, medium presence of secondary leaflets, medium 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 glossiness of upper side, glabrous blade at apical rosette

INFLORESCENCE: low to medium frequency per plant, small to medium size
PEDUNCLE: low extent of anthocyanin colouration
FLOWER BUD: low 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, dark 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 'Butterfly' originated from a cross made in 1997 between the selections designated 'VDW 90-50' as the female parent and 'RZD 88-1036' as the male parent at the HZPC Research & Development Centre in Metslawier, The Netherlands. The variety was selected from the F1 progeny in 1998. Selection criteria included internal and external quality, yield and resistance against different diseases and pests. The testing was conducted in The Netherlands as well as at different locations abroad.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Butterfly' 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 'Butterfly' with reference variety 'Agata'

Plant height (cm)

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