Wega

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Gala'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'Wega' has a closed habit whereas the lightsprout of 'Gala' has an intermediate habit. At the apical rosette, 'Wega' has a glabrous leaflet blade whereas 'Gala' has a pubescent leaflet blade. The shape of the tuber of 'Wega' is oval to long oval whereas the tuber of 'Gala' is short oval.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: medium to large, conical shape, few root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low to medium 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, sparse to medium density of pubescence

PLANT: foliage structure is intermediate to leaf type where foliage is half open to closed and stems are partly to not or hardly visible, semi-upright growth habit, matures mid-season

STEM: absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: medium outline size, openness is intermediate between closed and open, medium green on upper side, absent or very low extent and absent or very weak 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: leaflet is medium size and narrower than long
LEAFLET: weak waviness of margin, medium depth of veins, medium degree of glossiness upper side, glabrous blade at apical rosette

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'Wega' originated from a cross conducted in 1999 between 'Marabel' and 'Gala' at Norika Nordring Kartoffelzucht und Vermehrungs GmbH., Lüsewitz, Germany. 'Wega' was selected in 2001 for its positive agronomic characteristics and resistance for various diseases.

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

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Potato: 'Wega' (left) with reference variety 'Gala' (right)