AAC Island Ruby

Potato

Variety Description

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

Summary: The shape of the lightsprout of 'AAC Island Ruby' is conical whereas it is ovoid for the reference varietes. The lightsprout tip of 'AAC Island Ruby' has a closed to intermediate habit whereas the habit is intermediate to open for 'Chieftain'. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the lightsprout tip is weak for 'AAC Island Ruby' whereas it is absent for 'Redsen'. The pubescence at the tip of the lightsprout is dense for 'AAC Island Ruby' whereas it is medium for 'Redsen'. 'AAC Island Ruby' has an upright growth habit whereas the growth habit is semi-upright for the reference varieties. The plants of 'AAC Island Ruby' are shorter than those of the reference varieties. The extent of anthocyanin colouration on the stem is absent for 'AAC Island Ruby' whereas it is medium for 'Chieftain' and high for 'Redsen' along the entire stem. The leaf outline is small for 'AAC Island Ruby' whereas it is medium to large for 'Redsen'. 'AAC Island Ruby' has a weak presence of secondary leaflets whereas the secondary leaflets of 'Chieftain' have a medium presence. The second pair of lateral leaflets is small for 'AAC Island Ruby' whereas it is large for 'Chieftain' and of medium size for 'Redsen'. The extent of anthocyanin colouration of the flower bud is absent or very low for 'AAC Island Ruby' whereas it is medium for the reference varieties. The frequency of flowers is absent or very low for 'AAC Island Ruby' whereas it is high for the reference varieties. The corolla size is small to medium for 'AAC Island Ruby' whereas it is medium to large for 'Chieftain'. On the inner side of the corolla, the anthocyanin colouration is of medium extent and intensity for 'AAC Island Ruby' whereas the extent is high and the intensity is strong for 'Redsen'. Plants of 'AAC Island Ruby' mature early in the season whereas those of 'Chieftain' mature mid to late season. The tuber shape of 'AAC Island Ruby' is round whereas the shape is long-oval for 'Chieftain'. The tuber flesh of 'AAC Island Ruby' is light yellow whereas it is white for both reference varieties.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: medium size, conical shape, medium number of root tips, short to medium length lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, low proportion of blue in the anthocyanin colouration, dense pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: medium size in relation to base, closed to intermediate habit, weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, dense pubescence

PLANT: foliage structure is intermediate type where foliage is half open with stems partly visible, upright growth habit, matures early in season

STEM: no anthocyanin colouration

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

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

TUBER: round, light yellow flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow depth, red at base
TUBER SKIN: red

Origin & Breeding History: The variety 'AAC Island Ruby' originated from a cross between 'F92060' as the female parent and 'Redsen' as the male parent made in 2005 through controlled fertilization of emasculated flowers at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Potato Research Centre 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 15479-22 in 2007 and the variety was vegetatively propagated by tubers and in vitro plantlets.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'AAC Island Ruby' was conducted during the 2014 growing season at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Potato Research Centre 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 Island Ruby' with reference varieties 'Chieftain' and 'Redsen'

Plant height (cm)

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Potato: 'AAC Island Ruby' (left) with reference varieties 'Chieftain' (centre) and 'Redsen' (right)

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Potato: 'AAC Island Ruby' (left) with reference varieties 'Chieftain' (centre) and 'Redsen' (right)