Sebec

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Atlantic'

Summary: The shape of the lightsprout of 'Sebec' is conical whereas the shape of the lightsprout of 'Atlantic' is spherical to ovoid. The pubescence of the base of the lightsprout of 'Sebec' is sparse whereas the pubescence is dense for 'Atlantic'. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the tip of the lightsprout of 'Sebec' is medium whereas the intensity is weak for 'Atlantic'. The extent of anthocyanin colouration of the stem of 'Sebec' is medium whereas the stem of 'Atlantic' has no anthocyanin colouration. The anthocyanin colouration on the upper side of the leaf midrib of 'Sebec' is of high extent and medium to strong intensity whereas for 'Atlantic', the anthocyanin colouration is of low extent and weak intensity. The frequency of coalescence of the terminal and lateral leaflets of 'Sebec' is medium whereas the frequency of coalescence is absent or very low for 'Atlantic'. The extent of anthocyanin colouration of the peduncle of 'Sebec' is medium to high whereas the extent is absent or very low to low for 'Atlantic'. In reaction to light, the tuber skin of 'Sebec' develops a strong to very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration whereas the tuber skin of 'Atlantic' develops a medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: large, conical shape, medium number of root tips, medium length lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium to high proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, sparse pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: small in relation to base, intermediate between closed and open habit, medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration, dense pubescence

PLANT: foliage structure is stem to intermediate type where foliage is open to half open and stems are clearly to partly visible, upright growth habit, mid-season maturity

STEM: medium extent of anthocyanin colouration along entire length

LEAF: outline is medium size, openness is open, medium green on upper side, high extent and medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration on upper side of midrib, weak to 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, medium depth of veins, dull to medium glossiness of upper side, glabrous blade at apical rosette

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

TUBER: round shape, white flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow to medium depth, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: light beige, develops strong to very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration in reaction to light

Origin & Breeding History: 'Sebec' (experimental designation 'AF0338-17) originated from the University of Maine potato breeding program. It is the result of a cross conducted in 2001 between the selections designated 'AF303-5', as the female parent, and 'SA8211-6', as the male parent. The seeds from the cross were planted in a greenhouse during the spring of 2002 and the resulting seedlings were transplanted and grown in a greenhouse at the University of Maine's Aroostook Research Farm, in Presque Isle, Maine. From these, several of the largest seedling tubers were harvested to create a family of seedling tubers from the cross. This family of tubers was planted in the field during the spring of 2003. From these, selections were made in the fall of 2003 based on visual characteristics including tuber shape, appearance, size, and yield. Further evaluation of the selections was conducted over a number of years during which the evaluation was more intensive and the plots increased in size and/or the number of locations, so that progressively fewer clones were retained. Many traits were evaluated including yield, tuber size profile, specific gravity, ability to chip from the field and/or storage, freedom from internal and external physical defects, appearance, maturity, and yield. 'Sebec' was one of the selections from 2003 which was retained throughout the selection process.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Sebec' 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.

Click on image for larger view

Potato: 'Sebec' (left) with reference variety 'Atlantic' (right)