Castle Russet

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Russet Norkotah'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'Castle Russet' is ovoid in shape whereas that of 'Russet Norkotah' is spherical. The base of the lightsprout of 'Castle Russet' has a weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration whereas that of 'Russet Norkotah' has a medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration. The lightsprout tip of 'Castle Russet' has a medium to dense pubescence whereas that of 'Russet Norkotah' has sparse pubescence. The plants of 'Castle Russet' are shorter than the plants of 'Russet Norkotah'. The tuber of 'Castle Russet' has white flesh whereas that of 'Russet Norkotah' has cream coloured flesh.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: small to medium sized, ovoid, many root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, medium density of pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: medium sized in relation to base, closed habit, absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium to dense pubescence

PLANT: foliage structure is intermediate type where foliage is half open and stems are partly visible, semi-upright growth habit, matures late in the season

STEM: absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: medium sized outline, open, weak presence of secondary leaflets, light to medium green upper side, absent or very low extent and absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration on upper side of midrib, absent or very low frequency of coalescence of terminal and lateral leaflets
SECOND PAIR OF LATERAL LEAFLETS: medium to large, leaflet is narrower than long
LEAFLET: absent or very weak to weak degree of waviness of margin, shallow veins, dull on upper side, pubescence absent on blade at apical rosette

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

TUBER: long oval, white flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: reddish brown

Origin & Breeding History: 'Castle Russet' (experimental designation POR06V12-3) originated from a cross between PA00V6-3, as the female parent, and PA01N22-2, as the male parent, conducted in 2005 at the Oregon State University's potato breeding and variety development program. In 2005, the seed resulting from the cross was sown in the greenhouse. The resulting tubers were harvested and planted in the field in 2006 in Powell Butte, Oregon, USA. 'Castle Russet' was selected in 2006 based on negative mass selection for agronomic characteristics and disease resistance.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Castle Russet' was conducted by Global Agri Services Inc. during the 2019 growing season in Drummond, New Brunswick. The trial consisted of a single, 21 metre long row per variety. Each row contained 70 plants spaced 0.3 metres apart with an inter-row spacing of 0.9 metres. 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 'Castle Russet' with reference variety 'Russet Norkotah'

Plant height (cm)

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Potato: 'Castle Russet' (left) with reference variety 'Russet Norkotah' (right)