Rubiconde

Potato

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Norland', 'Modoc' and 'Chieftain'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'Rubiconde' is spherical whereas the lightsprout of 'Norland' and 'Chieftain' is ovoid and that of 'Modoc' is conical. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration at the base of the lightsprout for 'Rubiconde' is weak to medium whereas it is absent to very weak for 'Modoc' and of very weak to weak intensity for 'Chieftain'. At the base of the lightsprout, the proportion of blue is absent or low on 'Rubiconde' whereas the proportion of blue is medium on the lightsprout for 'Norland'. At the base of the lightsprout, the pubescence is sparse on 'Rubiconde' whereas the pubescence is dense on the lightsprout for 'Norland' and very dense on that of 'Modoc'. The tip of the lightsprout of 'Rubiconde' has a closed habit whereas the tip of the lightsprout of 'Modoc' and 'Chieftain' has an open habit. The plants of 'Rubiconde' mature mid to late season while those of 'Norland' and 'Modoc' mature early in the season. The extent of anthocyanin colouration on the stem of 'Rubiconde' is low whereas it is medium on the stem of the reference varieties. The anthocyanin colouration on the stem of 'Rubiconde' is located along the entire stem whereas it is halfway up the stem for 'Norland' and 'Modoc'. The frequency of flowers on the inflorescence of 'Rubiconde' is high whereas the frequency of flowers on 'Norland' is absent to very low. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration on the inner side of the corolla of 'Rubiconde' is very strong while it is strong for 'Norland' and weak to medium for 'Chieftain'. The proportion of blue is high on the inner side of the corolla of 'Rubiconde' whereas the proportion of blue is absent to low for 'Norland' and 'Chieftain'. The depth of the eyes on the tuber of 'Rubiconde' is shallow while it is deep for 'Norland' and 'Chieftain' and of medium depth for 'Modoc'. The flesh colour of 'Rubiconde' is white whereas it is cream coloured for 'Norland'.

Description:

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

PLANT: foliage structure is intermediate type where foliage is half open and stems are not clearly visible, semi-upright growth habit, matures mid to late season

STEM: weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration along entire stem

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

PEDUNCLE: strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration
INFLORESCENCE: high frequency per plant, medium in size
FLOWER BUD: very high extent of anthocyanin colouration
COROLLA: medium to large, very strong intensity and high extent of anthocyanin colouration on inner side, high proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration on inner side

TUBER: oval shape, white flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow depth, red at base
TUBER SKIN: red

Origin & Breeding History: 'Rubiconde' (experimental designation QP99165.81) originated from a controlled cross made by the Centre de recherche des Buissons in 1999, at Pointe-aux-Outardes, Quebec between 'Redsen', as the female parent, and 'Brise du Nord', as the male parent. In 2000, true potato seeds from this cross were sown in a greenhouse, and the resulting seedling tubers were planted in the field at the Centre de recherche des Buissons. A clone designated as QP99165.81 was selected in 2001 and evaluated for 4 generations from 2002 to 2005. In 2006, screening trials were conducted at Pointe-aux-Outardes and in Ste-Ubalde, Quebec to assess the time of maturity. The selection criteria used in the field and laboratory included yield, visual appearance; tuber size, shape and density; culinary quality, incidence of tuber defects, fry and chip colour from processing, maturation and the reaction to common scab, rhizoctonia and other diseases. From 2007 to 2010, additional testing was done at three locations in Quebec.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Rubiconde' was conducted during the 2017 growing season at Ste-Croix de Lotbinière, Quebec. The trial consisted of 4 replicates, a total of 68 plants for each variety, grown in 5.1 metre length rows spaced 92 centimetres apart. The plants were spaced 30 centimetres apart within the row. The measurements were taken from 10 plants, or parts of plants, of each variety.

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Potato: 'Rubiconde' (bottom left) with reference varieties 'Modoc' (top left), 'Norland' (top right) and 'Chieftain' (bottom right)