Harvest Moon

Potato

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Smart', 'Prairie Sun' and 'Morning Pearl'

Summary: The intensity of anthocyanin colouration at the base of the lightsprout is medium to strong for 'Harvest Moon' whereas it is strong to very strong for 'Smart'. The proportion of blue anthocyanin colouration at the base of the lightsprout of 'Harvest Moon' is absent or low whereas it is high for 'Smart' and medium for 'Prairie Sun'. In relation to the base of the lightsprout, the lightsprout tip is medium sized for 'Harvest Moon' whereas it is small for 'Smart' and 'Prairie Sun'. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration at the tip of the lightsprout of 'Harvest Moon' is weak to medium whereas it is strong for 'Smart' and medium to strong for 'Morning Pearl'. The lightsprout of 'Harvest Moon' has a medium number of root tips whereas 'Prairie Sun' and 'Morning Pearl' have few root tips. The extent of anthocyanin colouration on the stem of 'Harvest Moon' is absent or very low whereas the extent is low for 'Smart'. The plants of 'Harvest Moon' have a spreading growth habit whereas the plants of 'Prairie Sun' and 'Morning Pearl' have a semi-upright growth habit. The plants of 'Harvest Moon' are taller than those of 'Morning Pearl'. The tuber flesh of 'Harvest Moon' is white whereas it is medium yellow for 'Smart' and light yellow for 'Prairie Sun'.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: small to medium size, ovoid, medium number of root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, medium density of pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: medium size in relation to base, closed habit, weak to medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration, sparse to medium density of pubescence

PLANT: foliage structure is leaf type where foliage is closed and stems are not or hardly visible, spreading growth habit, mid-season to late maturity

STEM: absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: small to medium size outline, open, weak presence of secondary leaflets, medium green upper side, absent or very low extent and absent and very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of upper side of mid-rib, absent or very low frequency of coalescence of terminal and lateral leaflets
SECOND PAIR OF LATERAL LEAFLETS: medium size, leaflet is as broad as long
LEAFLET: absent or very weak to weak waviness of margin, shallow veins, medium degree of glossiness on upper side, glabrous blade at apical rosette

FLOWER BUD: absent

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'Harvest Moon' (experimental designation 'TT-10-014/2011-12') originated from a cross between 'Piccolo', as the female parent, and 'Ph.Sfd', as the male parent, conducted in 2010 at the Tuberosum Technologies Inc. breeding station in Broderick, Saskatchewan. In 2011, the seed resulting from the cross was seeded and transplanted in a field in Broderick, Saskatchewan. One of the progeny, designated as 'TT-10-014/2011-12', was identified in 2011. Selection criteria was based on negative mass selection for agronomic characteristics and disease resistance.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Harvest Moon' was conducted by Global Agri Services Inc. during the 2018 growing season in Drummond, New Brunswick. The trial consisted of a single, 21 metre long row containing 70 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. The mean difference was significant at the 5% probability level based on a paired Student's t-test.

Comparison table for 'Harvest Moon' with reference varieties 'Smart', 'Prairie Sun' and 'Morning Pearl'

Plant height (cm)

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Potato: 'Harvest Moon' (left) with reference varieties 'Smart' (centre left), 'Prairie Sun' (centre right) and 'Morning Pearl' (right)