Red Sonia

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Norland'

Summary: The size of the lightsprout of 'Red Sonia' is small whereas the lightsprout of 'Norland' is large. The habit of the tip of the lightsprout of 'Red Sonia' is closed whereas the habit of the tip is open for 'Norland'. The pubescence of the tip of the lightsprout is absent or very sparse to sparse for 'Red Sonia' whereas the pubescence is dense for 'Norland'. The extent of anthocyanin colouration of the stem is high for 'Red Sonia' whereas the extent is low for 'Norland'. The upper side of the leaf of 'Red Sonia' is light green whereas the upper side of the leaf of 'Norland' is dark green. The extent of anthocyanin colouration on the upper side of the leaf midrib of 'Red Sonia' is very high whereas the extent is medium to strong for 'Norland'. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration on the upper side of the leaf midrib of 'Red Sonia' is very high whereas the intensity is medium for 'Norland'. The frequency of coalescence of the terminal and lateral leaflets of 'Red Sonia' is low whereas the frequency of coalescence is absent or very low for 'Norland'. The upper side of the leaflet of 'Red Sonia' is dull whereas the upper side of the leaflet of 'Norland' is glossy. The colour of the tuber flesh of 'Red Sonia' is dark yellow whereas the tuber flesh of 'Norland' is white.

Description:

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

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

STEM: high extent of anthocyanin colouration along entire length

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

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

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'Red Sonia' originated from a cross conducted in 1999 between the selections designated '546/89 L' and 'E 93/477'. It was selected in Ebstorf, Lower Saxony, Germany, in 2001 for its positive agronomic characteristics.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Red Sonia' 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: 'Red Sonia' (left) with reference variety 'Norland' (right)