Saffron Gold

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Smart'

Summary: The base of the lightsprout of 'Saffron Gold' has a weak to medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration with an absent or low proportion of blue whereas the base of the lightsprout of 'Smart' has a very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration with a high proportion of blue. The lightsprout tip of 'Saffron Gold' has an absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration whereas the lightsprout tip of 'Smart' has a strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration. The lightsprout tip of 'Saffron Gold' has a medium to dense pubescence whereas the lightsprout tip of 'Smart' has an absent or very sparse pubescence. The plants of 'Saffron Gold' are shorter than the plants of 'Smart'. The stem of 'Saffron Gold' has an absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration whereas the stem of 'Smart' has a medium extent of anthocyanin colouration.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: medium size, ovoid 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, medium density pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: medium size in relation to base, intermediate between closed and open habit, absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium to dense pubescence

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

STEM: absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: medium outline size, intermediate openness, medium green on upper side, absent or very low extent and absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of upper side of midrib, medium presence of secondary leaflets, absent or very low frequency of coalescence of terminal and lateral leaflets
SECOND PAIR OF LATERAL LEAFLETS: leaflet is medium to large and narrower than long
LEAFLET: absent or very weak waviness of margin, medium depth of veins, dull to medium degree of glossiness of upper side, pubescent blade at apical rosette

INFLORESCENCE: low to 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: short oval shape, medium yellow flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: yellow develops weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration in reaction to light

Origin & Breeding History: 'Saffron Gold' originated from a cross conducted in 2008 between 'Baby Boomer' and 'Piccolo', at Tuberosum Technologies Inc. breeding program in Broderick, Saskatchewan. 'Saffron Gold' was selected in 2010 for its positive agronomic characteristics and resistance to various diseases.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Saffron Gold' 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. Mean differences were significant at the 5% probability level based on a paired Student's t-test.

Comparison table for 'Saffron Gold' with reference variety 'Smart'

Pleant height (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Potato: 'Saffron Gold' (left) with reference variety 'Smart' (right)