Smilin Eyes

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Yukon Gold'

Summary: The base of the lightsprout of 'Smilin Eyes' has very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration and sparse pubescence whereas the base of the lightsprout of 'Yukon Gold' has a strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration and dense pubescence. The lightsprout tip of 'Smilin Eyes' has very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration and dense pubescence whereas the lightsprout tip of 'Yukon Gold' has weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration and medium density of pubescence. The plants of 'Smilin Eyes' are shorter than the plants of 'Yukon Gold'. The plants of 'Smilin Eyes' mature late whereas the plants of 'Yukon Gold' mature mid-season. The growth habit of the plants of 'Smilin Eyes' is semi-upright whereas the growth habit of 'Yukon Gold' is upright. The leaf outline is medium size for 'Smilin Eyes' whereas the leaf outline is large for 'Yukon Gold'. The upper side of the leaf of 'Smilin Eyes' is dark green whereas the leaf blade of 'Yukon Gold' is light green. At the apical rosette, the leaflet blade of 'Smilin Eyes' is pubescent whereas the leaflet blade of 'Yukon Gold' is glabrous. The extent of anthocyanin colouration of the flower bud is high for 'Smilin Eyes' whereas the extent is low for 'Yukon Gold'. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration on the inner side of the corolla is strong for 'Smilin Eyes' whereas the intensity is medium for 'Yukon Gold'. In reaction to light, the tuber skin of 'Smilin Eyes' develops weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration whereas the tuber skin of 'Yukon Gold' develops medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration.

Description:

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

PLANT: foliage structure is intermediate to leaf type where foliage is half open to closed and stems are partly to not visible, semi-upright growth habit, late maturity

STEM: low extent of anthocyanin colouration along entire stem

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

INFLORESCENCE: medium frequency per plant, large
PEDUNCLE: medium extent of anthocyanin colouration
FLOWER BUD: high extent of anthocyanin colouration
COROLLA: large
COROLLA (INNER SIDE): very high extent and strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'Smilin Eyes' (experimental designation POR02PG26-5) originated from a cross between the selection 'PA99P11-2', as the female parent, and the selection 'Pig420', as the male parent. The cross was conducted as part of Dr. Charles Brown's breeding program at the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service in Prosser, Washington, USA. From the resulting progeny, 'Smilin Eyes' was selected in 2004, in Madras, Oregon, USA, based on negative mass selection for agronomic characteristics and disease resistances.

Tests & Trials: The comparative test and trial for 'Smilin Eyes' was conducted by Global Agri Services Inc. during the growing season of 2017 in Drummond, New Brunswick. There were 70 plants each of the candidate and reference variety. The trial consisted of a single, 21.2 metre long row with plants spaced 0.3 metres apart for each variety. The distance between rows within the trial was 0.9 metres. The observations and 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.

Comparison table for 'Smilin Eyes' with reference variety 'Yukon Gold'

Plant height (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Potato: 'Smilin Eyes' (left) with reference variety 'Yukon Gold' (right)