Vanguard Russet

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Russet Norkotah'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'Vanguard Russet' is small and spherical while that of 'Russet Norkotah' is medium in size and ovoid. The base of the lightsprout of 'Vanguard Russet' has a strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration with a high proportion of blue and medium to dense pubescence while that of 'Russet Norkotah' has a medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration with a medim proportion of blue and sparse pubescence. The tip of the lightsprout of 'Vanguard Russet' has a strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration and dense pubescence while that of 'Russet Norkotah' has an absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration and a medium density of pubescence. The stem of 'Vanguard Russet' has a low extent of anthocyanin colouration while the stem of 'Russet Norkotah' has an absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration. The plants of 'Vanguard Russet' are shorter than those of 'Russet Norkotah'.

Description:

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

PLANT: intermediate type foliage structure where foliage is half open and stems partly visible, semi-upright growth habit, low frequency of flowers, matures mid to late season

STEM: low extent of anthocyanin colouration along entire stem

LEAF: medium sized outline, openness is intermediate between closed and open, medium presence of secondary leaflets, medium green upper side, low extent and 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 degree of waviness of margin, medium depth of veins, medium glossiness on upper side, pubescence absent on blade at apical rosette

PEDUNCLE: absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration
INFLORESCENCE: medium sized
FLOWER BUD: high 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 to long, white flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: reddish brown

Origin & Breeding History: 'Vanguard Russet' (experimental designation TX08352-5Ru) originated from a cross conducted between TXA549-1Ru, as the female parent, and AOTX98137-1Ru, as the male parent, in the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Potato breeding program in College Station, Texas, USA in 2008. Seed from the cross was grown in a greenhouse in 2010 with the resulting tubers planted in the field in Dalhart, Texas in 2011. TX08352-5Ru was selected in 2011 based on maturity, disease resistance, tuber profile and tablestock qualities.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Vanguard Russet' was conducted by Global Agri Services Inc. during the 2021 growing season in Central Blissville, New Brunswick. The field trial consisted of a single, 20 metre long row per variety. Each row contained 65 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 'Vanguard Russet' with reference variety 'Russet Norkotah'

Plant height (cm)

Click on image for larger view

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