Divaa

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Innovator'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'Divaa' is ovoid in shape while that of 'Innovator' is broad cylindrical. The base of the lightsprout of 'Divaa' has a medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration and a medium density of pubescence while that of 'Innovator' has a weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration and dense pubescence. The stem of 'Divaa' has a low extent of anthocyanin colouration along the entire stem while that of 'Innovator' has an absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration. The second pair of lateral leafets of 'Divaa' are medium sized while those of 'Innovator' are large. The plants of 'Divaa' are shorter than those of 'Innovator'. The plants of 'Divaa' have an absent or very low to low frequency of flowers while the plants of 'Innovator' have a high frequency of flowers. The tuber of 'Divaa' is long oval in shape with yellow skin and white flesh while the tuber of 'Innovator' is long in shape with reddish brown skin and light yellow flesh.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: medium sized, ovoid, medium to many root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, medium density of pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: medium sized in relation to base, closed habit, absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium density of pubescence

PLANT: leaf type foliage structure where foliage is closed and stems are not or hardly visible, semi-upright growth habit, absent or very low to low frequency of flowers, matures mid-season

STEM: low extent of anthocyanin colouration along entire stem

LEAF: medium sized outline, intermediate openness, medium to strong presence of secondary leaflets, dark green upper side, high extent of weak intensity anthocyanin colouration on upper side of midrib, medium to high frequency of coalescence of terminal and lateral leaflets
SECOND PAIR OF LATERAL LEAFLETS: medium sized, leaflet is narrower than long
LEAFLET: strong degree of waviness of margin, shallow to medium depth of veins, medium glossiness on upper side, pubescence absent on blade at apical rosette

PEDUNCLE: low to medium extent of anthocyanin colouration
INFLORESCENCE: small
FLOWER BUD: low extent of anthocyanin colouration
COROLLA: medium sized
COROLLA (INNER SIDE): absent or very low extent of absent or very weak intensity anthocyanin colouration, absent or low proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration

TUBER: long oval, white flesh
TUBER EYE: very shallow to shallow, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: yellow, absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration in reaction to light

Origin & Breeding History: 'Divaa' originated from a cross conducted in 1999 between the female parent variety 'Innovator', and a male parent seedling, which resulted from the cross between 'Pentland Javelin' and a proprietary seedling, in the Caithness Potatoes Holding B.V. breeding program in Noordoostpolder, Netherlands. Seed from the cross was grown in a greenhouse in 2000 with resulting tubers planted in the field in Noordoostpolder, the Netherlands in 2001. 'Divaa' was selected in 2001 based on maturity, disease resistance, tuber shape, tuber skin colour and eye depth.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Divaa' was conducted by Global Agri Services Inc. in Central Blissville, New Brunswick during the 2021 growing season. The field trial consisted of a single, 20 metre long row per variety. Each row contained 65 plants spaced 0.3 metres apart with inter-row spacing of 1.1 metres. Measurements were taken from 10 plants, or 10 parts of plants, of each variety. The mean difference was significant at the 5% probability level based on a paired Student's t-test. Lightsprout characteristics were assessed on 10 tubers harvested from the comparative trial and observed approximately 2.5 to 3 months after sprouting was promoted by exposing the tubers to an external agent.

Comparison table for 'Divaa' with reference variety 'Innovator'

Plant height (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Potato: 'Divaa' (left) with reference variety 'Innovator' (right)