Caribou Russet

Potato

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Russet Burbank', 'Shepody' and 'Russet Norkotah'

Summary: The base of the lightsprout of 'Caribou Russet' has an absent to medium proportion of blue in the anthocyanin colouration whereas the reference varieties have an absent or low proportion of blue in the anthocyanin colouration at the base of the lightsprout. The lightsprout tip of 'Caribou Russet' has an intermediate habit whereas the lightsprout tip of the reference varieties have a closed habit. The plants of 'Caribou Russet' are shorter than the plants of 'Russet Burbank' and 'Russet Norkotah'. The location of anthocyanin colouration on the stem is at the base only for 'Caribou Russet' whereas the location of anthocyanin colouration on the stem is located along the entire stem for 'Russet Burbank' and 'Russet Norkotah'. The leaflet blade at the apical rosette of 'Caribou Russet' is glabrous whereas the leaflet blade at the apical rosette of the reference varieties is pubescent.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: medium size, ovoid shape, few root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent to medium proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, sparse pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: medium size in relation to base, intermediate habit, weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium density of pubescence

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

STEM: low extent of anthocyanin colouration at base only

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

INFLORESCENCE: medium to high frequency per plant, small to medium size
PEDUNCLE: low extent of anthocyanin colouration
FLOWER BUD: high extent of anthocyanin colouration
COROLLA: medium size
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: long shape, white flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: reddish brown

Origin & Breeding History: 'Caribou Russet' originated from a cross conducted in 2001 made at the University of Maine Aroostock Research Farm, in Presque Isle, Maine between 'Reeves Kingpin' and 'Silverton Russet'. 'Caribou Russet' was initially selected in 2003 for its visual characteristics such as tuber shape, appearance, and size. Further selections were made from 2004 to 2006 for positive agronomic characteristics.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Caribou Russet' 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 'Caribou Russet' with reference varieties 'Russet Burbank', 'Shepody' and 'Russet Norkotah'

Plant Height (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Potato: 'Caribou Russet' (left) with reference varieties 'Russet Burbank' (centre left), 'Shepody' (centre right) and 'Russet Norkotah' (right)