Penni

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Perline'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'Penni' is ovoid in shape with few root tips and lateral shoots of medium length whereas the lightsprout of 'Perline' is broad cylindrical in shape with a medium number of root tips and short lateral shoots. The extent of anthocyanin colouration on the stem of 'Penni' is low and halfway up the stem whereas the extent is absent or very low at the base of the stem only for 'Perline'. The leaf of 'Penni has a weak presence of secondary leaflets whereas the leaf of 'Perline' has a medium presence of secondary leaflets. The leaflet of 'Penni' has absent or very weak waviness of the margin and medium glossiness of the upper side whereas the leaflet of 'Perline' has weak waviness of the margin and a dull upper side. The extent of anthocyanin colouration of the flower bud and peduncle of 'Penni' is absent or very low whereas the extent is low for 'Perline'.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: medium to large, ovoid shape, few root tips, medium length lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, sparse 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 leaf types where foliage is half open and stems are partly visible, semi-upright growth habit, matures early to mid-season

STEM: low extent of anthocyanin colouration halfway up stem

LEAF: outline is medium size, openness is intermediate between closed and open, medium green on upper side, no anthocyanin colouration on midrib of upper side, 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: absent or very weak waviness of margin, shallow veins, medium glossiness of upper side, glabrous blade at apical rosette

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

Origin & Breeding History: The variety 'Penni' originated from a cross made in 2000 between 'Exempla' as the female parent and 'Gala' as the male parent as part of a private breeding program at the Norika Nordring Kartoffelzucht- und Vermehrungs- GmbH breeding facility in Gross Lüsewitz, Germany. The resultant seed was planted in a greenhouse in 2001 and from these, tubers were harvested and planted in the field during the spring of 2002. The variety was selected in 2002 for its agronomic characteristics and resistance to various diseases.

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