Persephone

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'All Blue'

Summary: The base of the lightsprout of 'Persephone' has medium to dense pubescence while that of 'All Blue' has sparse pubescence. The lightsprout tip of 'Persephone' has a strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration while that of 'All Blue' has a very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration. The leaf of 'Persephone' has an intermediate openness whereas that of 'All Blue' is open. The midrib on the upper side of the leaf of 'Persephone' has a medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration whereas that of 'All Blue' has a very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration. The second pair of lateral leaflets of 'Persephone' are medium sized while those of 'All Blue' are large. The plants of 'Persephone' are shorter than those of 'All Blue'. The plants of 'Persephone' have a medium frequency of flowers while those of 'All Blue' have a high frequency of flowers. The inner side of the corolla for 'Persephone' has an absent or low proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration whereas that of 'All Blue' has a high proportion of blue in the anthocyanin colouration. The plants of 'Persephone' mature late in the season while those of 'All Blue' mature mid-season. The tuber of 'Persephone' is round to short oval while that of 'All Blue' is long oval.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: small to medium sized, spherical, few to medium number of root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, high proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, medium to dense pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: medium sized in relation to base, closed habit, strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium to dense pubescence

PLANT: foliage structure is intermediate to leaf type, where foliage is half open to closed and stems are partly visible to not, or hardly, visible, semi-upright growth habit, matures late season

STEM: high extent of anthocyanin colouration along entire stem

LEAF: medium to large outline, intermediate openness, medium presence of secondary leaflets, dark green upper side, very high extent of anthocyanin colouration on upper side of midrib, medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration on upper side of midrib, low frequency of coalescence of terminal and lateral leaflets
SECOND PAIR OF LATERAL LEAFLETS: medium sized, leaflet is narrower than long
LEAFLET: absent or very weak to weak degree of waviness of margin, medium to deep veins, medium to glossy upper side

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

TUBER: round to short oval, blue flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow to medium depth, blue at base
TUBER SKIN: blue

Origin & Breeding History: 'Persephone' (experimental designation FOB2007-136-143PR) originated from the Tuberosum Technologies Inc. breeding program conducted by Fobek BV Company at their breeding station in Sint Annaparochi, Friesland, Netherlands. 'Persephone' is the result of a hybridization made in 2006 between the varieties 'PRS-2', as the female parent, and 'K3684', as the male parent. Seed from the cross was seeded and transplanted in the field at the Fobek BV breeding station in 2008 and harvested that year. The new variety was selected from that field in 2008 based on its agronomic characteristics, resistance to various diseases and quality traits.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Persephone' was conducted by Global Agri Service Inc. in Central Blissville, New Brunswick during the 2022 growing season. The field trial consisted of a single, 22 metre long row per variety. Each row contained 70 plants spaced 0.3 metres apart with inter-row spacing of 1.1 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. 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 'Persephone' with reference variety 'All Blue'

Plant height (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Potato: 'Persephone' (left) with reference variety 'All Blue' (right)