AAC Blue Sapphire

Potato

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'AAC Blue Steele' and 'Adirondack Blue'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'AAC Blue Sapphire' is conical in shape whereas it is broad cylindrical for 'AAC Blue Steele' and spherical for 'Adirondack Blue'. The lightsprout tip for 'AAC Blue Sapphire' is small in relation to the base and has sparse pubescence while that of 'Adirondack Blue' is medium sized in relation to the base and has a medium density of pubescence. The stem of 'AAC Blue Sapphire' has a medium extent of anthocyanin colouration while the extent is high for the reference varieties. The leaf of 'AAC Blue Sapphire' has a medium sized outline and a strong presence of secondary leaflets while those of the reference varieties have a large outline and a medium presence of secondary leaflets. The plants of 'AAC Blue Sapphire' are taller than those of 'Adirondack Blue'. The frequency of inflorescences is high for the plants of 'AAC Blue Sapphire' while it is medium for the plants of the reference varieties. The corolla of 'AAC Blue Sapphire' is medium sized while it is large for 'Adirondack Blue'.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: medium sized, conical, medium number of root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, high proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, sparse pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: small in relation to base, intermediate habit, strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, sparse 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: medium extent of anthocyanin colouration along entire stem

LEAF: medium sized outline, closed, strong presence of secondary leaflets, dark green upper side, strong 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 sized, leaflet is narrower than long
LEAFLET: weak degree of waviness of margin, shallow veins

PEDUNCLE: low extent of anthocyanin colouration
INFLORESCENCE: 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, medium proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration

TUBER: long oval, blue skin, blue parti-colour flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow, blue at base

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Blue Sapphire' (experimental designations AR2015-13, 15792-44 and F10097) originated from a cross made between the experimental lines PA99P20-2 and F02041 conducted at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Fredericton Research and Development Centre, in Fredericton, New Brunswick, in 2008. In 2009, the true potato seed resulting from the cross was sown in a greenhouse at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Fredericton Research and Development Centre and the resulting seedling tubers planted at the Benton Ridge Research Substation of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada near Woodstock, New Brunswick, in 2010. A clone designated as 15792-44 was selected in 2010 from a single hill trial based on vine maturity, tuber appearance, shape, size and flesh colour.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'AAC Blue Sapphire' was conducted during the 2019 growing season at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Fredericton Research and Development Centre, in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The trial consisted of 2 replicates per variety arranged in a RCB design. Each replicate consisted of 40 plants in a 12 metre length row. The rows were spaced 90 centimetres apart and the plants were spaced 25 centimetres apart within the row. Measurements were taken from 10 plants, or 10 parts of plants, of each variety. The mean differences were significant at the 5% probability level based on a paired Student's t-test.

Comparison table for 'AAC Blue Sapphire' with reference varieties 'AAC Blue Steele' and 'Adirondack Blue'

Plant height (cm)

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Potato: 'AAC Blue Sapphire' (centre) with reference varieties 'Adirondack Blue' (left) and 'AAC Blue Steele' (right)

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Potato: 'AAC Blue Sapphire' (centre) with reference varieties 'Adirondack Blue' (left) and 'AAC Blue Steele' (right)

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Potato: 'AAC Blue Sapphire' (left) with reference varieties 'Adirondack Blue' (centre) and 'AAC Blue Steele' (right)