Vanilla

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Primabelle'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'Vanilla' is small and spherical while that of 'Primabelle' is large and broad cylindrical. The base of the lightsprout of 'Vanilla' has a medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration while that of 'Primabelle' has a weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration. The base of the lightsprout of 'Vanilla' has dense pubescence while that of 'Primabelle' has a sparse to medium density of pubescence. The lightsprout of 'Vanilla' has medium to many root tips while that of 'Primabelle' has a few to medium number of root tips. The stem of 'Vanilla' has a medium extent of anthocyanin colouration along the entire stem while that of 'Primabelle' has an absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration. The plants of 'Vanilla' are taller than those of 'Primabelle'. The tuber of 'Vanilla' is round to short oval while that of 'Primabelle' is oval.

Description:

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

PLANT: foliage structure is stem type where foliage is open and stems are clearly visible, spreading growth habit, medium to high frequency of flowers, matures mid-season

STEM: medium extent of anthocyanin colouration along the entire stem

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

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

TUBER: round to short oval, light yellow flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: yellow, strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration in reaction to light

Origin & Breeding History: 'Vanilla' (experimental designation T5339/12) originated from the cross between 'OP4563/24' as the female parent and 'Orla' as the male parent conducted at the Teagasc breeding station in Carlow, Ireland in 2005. One of the resulting progeny was selected and designated T5339/12 in 2007 based on tuber set, tuber shape and disease resistance.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Vanilla' was conducted by Global Agri Services Inc. in Central Blissville, New Brunswick during the 2023 growing season. The field trial consisted of a single 15.2 metre long row per variety. Rows were spaced 1.1 metres apart with each row containing 65 plants spaced 0.23 metres apart. 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. Lightsprout characteristics were assessed on 10 tubers harvested from the comparative trial and observed approximately 2.5 to 3 months after sprouting was promoted by exposing the tubers to an external agent.

Comparison table for 'Vanilla' with reference variety 'Primabelle'

Plant height (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Potato: 'Vanilla' (left) with reference variety 'Primabelle' (right)

Click on image for larger view

Potato: 'Vanilla' (left) with reference variety 'Primabelle' (right)