Performer

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Bintje'

Summary: The shape of the lightsprout of 'Performer' is broad cylindrical whereas the shape of the lightsprout of 'Bintje' is ovoid. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the base of the lightsprout of 'Performer' is absent or very weak whereas the intensity is very strong for 'Bintje'. The proportion of blue in the anthocyanin colouration of the base of the lightsprout of 'Performer' is absent or low whereas the proportion of blue is high for 'Bintje'. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the tip of the lightsprout of 'Performer' is absent or very weak whereas the intensity is medium to strong for 'Bintje'. The pubescence of the tip of the lightsprout of 'Performer' is absent or very sparse whereas the pubescence is of medium density for 'Bintje'. The extent of anthocyanin colouration of the stem of 'Performer' is absent or very low whereas the extent is low for 'Bintje'. The anthocyanin colouration on the upper side of the leaf midrib of 'Performer' is of absent or very low extent and absent or very weak intensity whereas for 'Bintje', the anthocyanin colouration is of low extent and weak intensity. The frequency of coalescence of the terminal and lateral leaflets of 'Performer' is absent or very low whereas the frequency of coalescence is low for 'Bintje'. The extent of anthocyanin colouration of the peduncle is absent or very low whereas the extent is medium for 'Bintje'. The extent of anthocyanin colouration of the flower bud of 'Performer' is absent or very low for 'Performer' whereas the extent is high for 'Bintje'. In reaction to light, the tuber skin of 'Performer' develops a medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration whereas the tuber skin of 'Bintje' develops an absent or very weak to weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration.

Description:

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

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

STEM: no anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: outline is medium size, openness is intermediate between closed and open, light to medium green on upper side, absent or very low extent and absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration on upper side of midrib, weak to medium presence of secondary leaflets, absent or very low frequency of coalescence of terminal and lateral leaflets
SECOND PAIR OF LATERAL LEAFLETS: medium size, leaflet is as broad as long
LEAFLET: weak to medium degree of waviness of margin, deep veins, medium to glossy upper side, pubescent blade at apical rosette

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'Performer' originated from the Agrico breeding program in Brant, Netherlands. It is the result of a hybridization conducted in 1999 between the varieties 'Nika' and 'Innovator'. The seed from the cross was planted in a greenhouse in 2000 and the resulting tubers were planted in the field in 2001. 'Performer' was selected in 2001 for its agronomic characteristics and resistance to various diseases.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Performer' 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: 'Performer' (left) with reference variety 'Bintje' (right)