AAC Fortune

Potato

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Chieftain' and 'Norland'

Summary: The shape of the lightsprout of 'AAC Fortune' is spherical whereas it is ovoid for 'Chieftain' and broad cylindrical for 'Norland'. The pubescence at the base of the lightsprout is sparse for 'AAC Fortune' whereas it is dense for 'Chieftain'. In relation to the base, the lightsprout tip of 'AAC Fortune' is small and has a closed habit whereas the reference varieties have a medium sized tip with an intermediate habit. 'AAC Fortune' has an upright to semi-upright growth habit whereas it is spreading for 'Norland'. The extent of anthocyanin colouration along the entire stem of 'AAC Fortune' is medium whereas the extent of the anthocyanin colouration is low and at the base of the stem for 'Norland'. The leaf outline is small for 'AAC Fortune' whereas it is large for 'Norland'. The extent of anthocyanin colouration on the midrib of the leaf is high for 'AAC Fortune' whereas it is absent or very weak for 'Norland'. Within the apical rosette, the leaflet blade of 'AAC Fortune' is glabrous whereas it is pubescent for the reference varieties. The plants of 'AAC Fortune' are shorter than those of 'Chieftain'. The extent of anthocyanin colouration of the inner side of the corolla is high to very high for 'AAC Fortune' whereas it is medium for 'Chieftain'. The intensity of the anthocyanin colouration on the inner side of the corolla is medium for 'AAC Fortune' whereas it is strong for 'Norland'. The plants of 'AAC Fortune' mature mid to late season while those of 'Norland' mature early to mid-season. The tubers of 'AAC Fortune' have a short oval shape with light yellow flesh, whereas the tubers of the reference varieties have a long oval shape with white flesh.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: medium size, spherical, medium number of root tips, medium length lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low proportion of blue in the anthocyanin colouration, sparse pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: small size in relation to base, closed habit, weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, dense pubescence

PLANT: foliage structure is intermediate type where foliage is half open with stems partly visible, upright to semi-upright growth habit, matures mid to late season

STEM: medium extent of anthocyanin colouration along the entire stem

LEAF: small outline, open, medium to dark green colour, high extent and medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration on upper side of midrib
SECOND PAIR OF LATERAL LEAFLETS: small, narrower than long width in relation to length
LEAFLETS: medium presence of secondary leaflets, absent or very low frequency of coalescence of terminal and lateral leaflets, medium waviness of margin, medium depth of veins, dull upper side, glabrous blade within apical rosette

INFLORESCENCE: medium frequency per plant, medium size, medium extent of anthocyanin colouration on peduncle
FLOWER BUD: medium extent of anthocyanin colouration
COROLLA: medium size, high to very high extent and medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration on inner side, medium proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration.

TUBER: short oval shape, light yellow flesh
TUBER EYE: medium depth, red at base
TUBER SKIN: red

Origin & Breeding History: The variety 'AAC Fortune' originated from a cross between 'AC Red Island' as the female parent and 'Chieftain' as the male parent made in 2002 through controlled fertilization of emasculated flowers at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Potato Research Centre in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Resulting seed was grown out and selection of the first field grown generation was based on clonal adaptation, tuber type and fresh market potential. Final selection was made from progeny 15006-12 in 2005 and the variety was vegetatively propagated by tubers and in vitro plantlets.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'AAC Fortune' was conducted during the 2014 growing season at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Potato Research Centre in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The 640 metres squared plot consisted of 2 replicates, with 30 plants per variety in each replicate, grown in two 7.5 metre length rows spaced 90 centimetres apart. Plants were spaced 25 centimetres apart. Measurements were taken from 10 plants or 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 'AAC Fortune' with reference varieties 'Chieftain' and 'Norland'

Plant height (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Potato: 'AAC Fortune' (top) with reference varieties 'Chieftain' (centre) and 'Norland' (bottom)

Click on image for larger view

Potato: 'AAC Fortune' (left) with reference varieties 'Chieftain' (centre) and 'Norland' (right)

Click on image for larger view

Potato: 'AAC Fortune' (left) with reference varieties 'Chieftain' (centre) and 'Norland' (right)