Arizona

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Challenger'

Summary: The intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the base of the lightsprout of 'Arizona' is medium whereas the intensity is weak for 'Challenger'. The pubescence of the base and the tip of the lightsprout of 'Arizona' is absent or very sparse to sparse whereas the pubescence is medium to dense for 'Challenger'. The plants of 'Arizona' have a semi-upright to spreading growth habit whereas the plants of 'Challenger' have an upright to semi-upright growth habit. The openness of the leaf of 'Arizona' is open whereas the leaf of 'Challenger' is intermediate between closed and open. The size of the lateral leaflet from the second pair of lateral leaflets is large for 'Arizona' whereas the lateral leaflet of 'Challenger' is of medium size. The extent of anthocyanin colouration of the peduncle of 'Arizona' is low whereas the extent is absent or very low for 'Challenger'.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: medium to large, ovoid shape, few root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, absent or very sparse to sparse pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: medium size in relation to base, closed habit, absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, sparse pubescence

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

STEM: no anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: outline is medium to large, openness is open, medium green on upper side, absent or very low extent and absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration on upper side of midrib, strong presence of secondary leaflets, medium frequency of coalescence of terminal and lateral leaflets
SECOND PAIR OF LATERAL LEAFLETS: large, leaflet ranges from narrower than long to as broad as long
LEAFLET: weak waviness of margin, medium depth of veins, dull upper side, pubescent blade at apical rosette

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

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'Arizona' originated from the Agrico breeding program in Brant, Netherlands. It is the result of a hybridization conducted in 1997 between the selection designated 'UK 150-19022' and the variety 'Mascotte'. The seed from the cross was planted in a greenhouse in 1998 and the resulting tubers were planted in the field in 1999. 'Arizona' was selected in 1999 for its agronomic characteristics and resistance to various diseases.

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

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Potato: 'Arizona' (left) with reference variety 'Challenger' (right)