Lusa

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Canberra'

Summary: The size of the lightsprout of 'Lusa' is large whereas the lightsprout of 'Canberra' is small to medium in size. In relation to the base, the size of the tip of the lightsprout of 'Lusa' is medium whereas the tip of the lightsprout of 'Canberra' is small. The pubescence of the tip of the lightsprout is dense for 'Lusa' whereas the pubescence is absent or very sparse for 'Canberra'. The plants of 'Lusa' are taller than the plants of 'Canberra'. The size of the outline of the leaf of 'Lusa' is large whereas the leaf of 'Canberra' is of medium size. The frequency of coalescence of the terminal and lateral leaflets of 'Lusa' is medium to high whereas the frequency of coalescence is absent or very low for 'Canberra'. The frequency of inflorescences per plant is high for 'Lusa' whereas the frequency is low to medium for 'Canberra'. The size of the inflorescence of 'Lusa' is medium to large whereas the inflorescence of 'Canberra' is small to medium in size.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: large, ovoid shape, few to medium number of root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: strong to very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low to medium proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, sparse to medium density of pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: medium size in relation to base, intermediate between closed and open habit, strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, dense pubescence

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

STEM: high extent of anthocyanin colouration along entire length

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

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

TUBER: oval shape, medium yellow flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: red

Origin & Breeding History: 'Lusa' originated from the SW Seed B.V. breeding program in Emmeloord, Netherlands. It is the result of a hybridization conducted in 1998 between the selections designated 'SW 91-1399' and 'SW 89-0644'. The seed from the cross was planted in a greenhouse in 1999 and the resulting tubers were planted in the field in 2000. 'Lusa' was selected in 2000 for its agronomic characteristics and resistance to various diseases.

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

Comparison table for 'Lusa' with reference variety 'Canberra'

Plant height (cm)

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Potato: 'Lusa' (left) with reference variety 'Canberra' (right)