Athlete

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Gourmandine'

Summary: The shape of the lightsprout of 'Athlete' is spherical whereas the shape of the lightsprout of 'Gourmandine' is ovoid. The pubescence of the base of the lightsprout of 'Athlete' is medium to dense whereas the pubescence is sparse for 'Gourmandine'. In relation to the base, the tip of the lightsprout of 'Athlete' is large whereas the tip is small for 'Gourmandine'. The pubescence of the tip of the lightsprout of 'Athlete' is dense whereas the pubescence is sparse for 'Gourmandine'. The plants of 'Athlete' are taller than the plants of 'Gourmandine'. The extent of anthocyanin colouration of the stem of 'Athlete' is absent or very low whereas the extent is low to medium for 'Gourmandine'. The anthocyanin colouration on the upper side of the leaf midrib of 'Athlete' is of low extent and weak intensity whereas for 'Gourmandine', the anthocyanin colouration is of absent or very low extent and absent or very weak intensity. The frequency of inflorescences per plant is medium to high for 'Athlete' whereas the frequency is low to medium for 'Gourmandine'. In reaction to light, the tuber skin of 'Athlete' develops an absent or very weak to weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration whereas the tuber skin of 'Gourmandine' develops a medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: medium size, spherical 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: large in relation to base, intermediate between closed and open habit, medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration, dense pubescence

PLANT: foliage structure is intermediate type where foliage is half open and stems are partly visible, semi-upright growth habit, late maturity

STEM: no anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: outline is medium size, openness is intermediate between closed and open, medium green on upper side, low extent and weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration on upper side of midrib, medium 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, shallow to medium depth of veins, dull upper side, pubescent blade at apical rosette

INFLORESCENCE: medium to high frequency per plant, small to medium size
PEDUNCLE: low extent of anthocyanin colouration
FLOWER BUD: medium extent of anthocyanin colouration
COROLLA: medium to large
COROLLA (INNER SIDE): medium to high extent of anthocyanin colouration, medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'Athlete' originated from the Agrico Research breeding program at Bant, Netherlands. It is the result of a hybridization conducted in 1999 between the selection designated 'AR 99-263-5' and the variety 'Miriam'. The seed from the cross was planted in a greenhouse in 2000 and the resulting tubers were planted in a field in 2001. 'Athlete' was selected in 2001 for its agronomic characteristics and resistance to various diseases.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Athlete' was conducted during the growing season of 2015 in Drummond, New Brunswick. The trial consisted of a single, 18.5 metre long row containing 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, or 10 parts of plants, of each variety. Mean differences were significant at the 5% probability level based on a paired Student's t-test.

Comparison table for 'Athlete' with reference variety 'Gourmandine'

Plant height (cm)

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Potato: 'Athlete' (left) with reference variety 'Gourmandine' (right)