Ricarda

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Chieftain'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'Ricarda' is ovoid whereas it is spherical for 'Chieftain'. The proportion of blue anthocyanin colouration at the base of the lightsprout of 'Ricarda' is medium whereas it is absent or low for 'Chieftain'. The pubescence at the base of the lightsprout of 'Ricarda' is sparse to medium whereas it is medium to dense for 'Chieftain'. The tip of the lightsprout of 'Ricarda' has an intermediate habit whereas that of 'Chieftain' has a closed habit. The extent of anthocyanin colouration on the stem of 'Ricarda' is high whereas it is low to medium for 'Chieftain'. The plants of 'Ricarda' are taller than those of 'Chieftain'. 'Ricarda' has a high extent and strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration along the midrib of the upper side of the leaf whereas the extent is medium with weak to medium intensity for 'Chieftain'. The extent of anthocyanin colouration on the peduncle of 'Ricarda' is high whereas it is low for 'Chieftain'. 'Ricarda' has a medium sized corolla whereas it is large for 'Chieftain'. 'Ricarda' has a very high extent and medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration on the inner side of the corolla whereas it is of high extent with weak to medium intensity for 'Chieftain'. The colour at the base of the tuber eye of 'Ricarda' is yellow whereas it is red for 'Chieftain'. The tuber flesh of 'Ricarda' is cream coloured whereas it is white for 'Chieftain'.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: medium size, broad cylindrical shape, medium number of root tips, short to medium length lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, sparse to medium density of pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: small in relation to base, intermediate between closed and open habit, medium 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 to semi-upright growth habit, mid-season to late maturity

STEM: high extent of anthocyanin colouration along entire stem

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

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

TUBER: short oval to oval, cream coloured flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow depth, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: red

Origin & Breeding History: 'Ricarda' originated from a cross, between 'M99-312' and 'E 93/477', conducted in 2005 in Ebstorf (Lower Saxon), Germany. One of the progeny, designated as 'Ricarda' was identified in 2006. Selection was based on positive agronomic criteria.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Ricarda' 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 'Ricarda' with reference variety 'Chieftain'

Plant height (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Potato: 'Ricarda' (left) with reference variety 'Chieftain' (right)