Mountain Gem Russet

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Russet Burbank'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'Mountain Gem Russet' is medium to large and conical in shape whereas the lightsprout of 'Russet Burbank' is small and spherical in shape. The plants of 'Mountain Gem Russet' are shorter than the plants of 'Russet Burbank'. The flower bud of 'Mountain Gem Russet' has a low extent of anthocyanin colouration whereas the flower bud of 'Russet Burbank' has a medium to high extent of anthocyanin colouration.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: medium to large, conical shape, medium number of root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low to medium proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, medium to dense pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: medium size in relation to base, intermediate between open and closed habit, weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, dense pubescence

PLANT: foliage structure is leaf type where foliage is closed and stems are not or hardly visible, semi-upright growth habit, late to very late maturity

STEM: absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: medium outline size, openness is intermediate, medium green on upper side, low extent and 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: weak waviness of margin, shallow to medium depth of veins, dull upper side, glabrous blade at apical rosette

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'Mountain Gem Russet' (experimental number A03158-2TE) originated from a cross between 'A98292-2' and 'A98104-4' conducted in 2003 as part of a breeding program at the University of Idaho Research and Extension Center breeding program. 'Mountain Gem Russet' was selected in 2004 for its agronomic characteristics and resistance to various diseases.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Mountain Gem 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 'Mountain Gem Russet' with reference variety 'Russet Burbank'

Plant height (cm)

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Potato: 'Mountain Gem Russet' (left) with reference variety 'Russet Burbank' (right)