Excellency

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Challenger'

Summary: The shape of the lightsprout of 'Excellency' is ovoid whereas the shape of the lightsprout of 'Challenger' is spherical. The base of the lightsprout of 'Excellency' has sparse to medium density of pubescence whereas the base of the lightsprout of 'Challenger' has medium to dense pubescence. The lightsprout tip of 'Excellency' is closed with a medium density of pubescence whereas the lightsprout tip of 'Challenger' is open with dense pubescence. The plants of 'Excellency' are shorter than the plants of Challenger. The plants of 'Excellency' have a spreading growth habit whereas the plants of 'Challenger' have an upright to semi-upright growth habit. The stem of 'Excellency' has anthocyanin colouration halfway up the stem whereas 'Challenger has anthocyanin colouration at the base of the stem only.

Description:

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

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

STEM: medium extent of anthocyanin colouration halfway up stem

LEAF: medium to large outline size, open, light to medium green on upper side, low extent and medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration of upper side of midrib, weak presence of secondary leaflets, low frequency of coalescence of terminal and lateral leaflets
SECOND PAIR OF LATERAL LEAFLETS: leaflet is small to medium size and narrower than long
LEAFLET: medium to strong waviness of margin, medium depth of veins, medium glossiness of upper side, glabrous blade at apical rosette

INFLORESCENCE: absent or very low to low frequency per plant, small
PEDUNCLE: absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration
FLOWER BUD: low extent of anthocyanin colouration
COROLLA: medium size
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 to long oval shape, medium yellow flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: yellow, develops absent or very weak to weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration in reaction to light

Origin & Breeding History: 'Excellency' originated from a cross between 'Lady Olympia' and 'Red One' conducted in 1997 at the Agrico Breeding Station in Bant, Netherlands. 'Excellency' was selected in 1999 for its positive agronomic characteristics and resistance to various diseases.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Excellency' was conducted by Global Agri Services Inc. during the growing season of 2016 in Drummond, New Brunswick. The trial consisted of a single, 19.5 metre long row containing 65 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 'Excellency' with reference variety 'Challenger'

Plant height (cm)

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