AAC Red Viola

Potato

Variety Description

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

Summary: The lightsprout of 'AAC Red Viola' is ovoid in shape with sparse to medium density of pubescence of the base whereas the lightsprout of 'Chieftain' is spherical in shape with dense pubescence of the base. In relation to the base, the tip of the lightsprout of 'AAC Red Viola' is small whereas the tip of the lightsprout of both reference varieties is medium in size. The tip of the lightsprout of 'AAC Red Viola' has medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration and medium density pubescence whereas the tip of the lightsprout of both reference varieties has weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration and dense pubescence. The plants of 'AAC Red Viola' are shorter than the plants of both reference varieties. The extent of anthocyanin colouration along the entire stem is medium for 'AAC Red Viola' whereas the extent is low and only at the base of the stem for 'Norland'. The leaf of 'AAC Red Viola' has a small outline and a weak to medium presence of secondary leaflets whereas the leaf of 'Norland has a medium to large outline and a medium to strong presence of secondary leaflets. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the midrib on the upper side of the leaf is strong for 'AAC Red Viola' whereas the intensity is medium for both reference varieties. The inflorescence of 'AAC Red Viola' is small to medium in size whereas the inflorescence of both reference varieties is medium to large. The extent of anthocyanin colouration on the inner side of the corolla is high for 'AAC Red Viola' whereas the extent is medium for both reference varieties. The shape of the tuber of 'AAC Red Viola' is round whereas the tuber of both reference varieties is long oval. The eyes of the tuber of 'AAC Red Viola' are shallow whereas the eyes of the tuber of 'Chieftain' are of medium depth. The flesh of the tuber of 'AAC Red Viola' is white whereas the flesh of 'Norland' is cream coloured.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: medium to large, ovoid shape, medium number of root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, sparse to medium density of pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: small in relation to base, closed habit, medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium density pubescence

PLANT: foliage structure is leaf type where foliage is closed and stems are not or hardly visible, semi-upright to spreading growth habit, matures mid-season
STEM: medium extent of anthocyanin colouration along entire stem

LEAF: outline is small, openness is closed, weak to medium presence of secondary leaflets, medium green on upper side, medium to high extent and 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 narrower than long
LEAFLET: weak waviness of margin, medium depth of veins, medium glossiness of upper side, blade at apical rosette is pubescent

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

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Red Viola' (experimental designations 'AR2013-06' and 'AAC CV99256-2') originated from a cross made at the San Luis Valley Research Farm, Colorado State University, USA in 1999 between the variety 'Rio Colorado', as the female parent, and the variety 'Colorado Rose', as the male parent. In 2000, true potato seed was sown in a greenhouse at Colorado State University and the resulting seedling tubers were planted in 2001 at the Vauxhall Research Substation of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Vauxhall, Alberta. A clone designated 'CV99256-2' was selected in 2001, and progressed through 4-hill, 12-hill, and 50-hill generation stages of selection and evaluation at Vauxhall in 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. Selection criteria used in the field at Vauxhall and in the laboratory at the Lethbridge Research Centre included vine maturity, visual appearance, uniformity and shape of tubers, skin colour, incidence of tuber defects, reaction to diseases including common scab, late blight, fusarium dry rot, verticillium wilt, and culinary quality. 'CV99256-2' was further evaluated in the Western Canadian Regional Potato Trials from 2005 to 2006, in scab nursery trials at the Vauxhall Research Station from 2007 to 2012, and in the National Potato Variety Trials in 2012.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'AAC Red Viola' was conducted during the 2015 growing season at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Fredericton Research and Development Centre in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The trial consisted of 2 replicates with 30 plants per variety in each replicate, grown in two 7.5 metre length rows spaced 90 centimetres apart. Plants were spaced 25 centimetres apart in the row. The measurements were taken from 10 plants, or parts of plants, of each variety.

Comparison table for 'AAC Red Viola' with reference varieties 'Chieftain' and 'Norland'

Plant height (cm)

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Potato: 'AAC Red Viola' (left) with reference varieties 'Chieftain' (centre) and 'Norland' (right)

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Potato: 'AAC Red Viola' (left) with reference varieties 'Chieftain' (centre) and 'Norland' (right)