River Russet

Potato

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Innovator' and 'Monica Russet'

Summary: The shape of the lightsprout of 'River Russet' is ovoid while those of 'Innovator' and 'Monica Russet' are broad cylindrical. The base of the lightsprout of 'River Russet' has a medium density of pubescence while those of the reference varieties have dense pubescence. The stem of 'River Russet' has a low extent of anthocyanin colouration at the base while the stems of the reference varieties have an absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration along the entire stem. The second pair of lateral leafets of 'River Russet' are large while those of 'Monica Russet' are medium in size. The plants of 'River Russet' are shorter than those of 'Innovator'. The plants of 'River Russet' have a low frequency of flowers while those of the reference varieties have a high frequency of flowers. The tuber of 'River Russet' is long oval while those of the reference varieties are long. The tuber of 'River Russet' has white flesh while the tuber of 'Innovator' has light yellow flesh.

Description:

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

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

STEM: low extent of anthocyanin colouration at the base

LEAF: large outline, open, medium 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, low frequency of coalescence of terminal and lateral leaflets
SECOND PAIR OF LATERAL LEAFLETS: large, leaflet is narrower than long
LEAFLET: weak to medium degree of waviness of margin, shallow veins, dull to medium glossiness on upper side, pubescence absent on blade at apical rosette

PEDUNCLE: absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration
INFLORESCENCE: small
FLOWER BUD: absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration
COROLLA: small to 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: 'River Russet' (experimental designation KW08-10) originated from a cross conducted between BRS03-339, as the female parent, and 'Innovator', as the male parent, in the Aardappelkweekbedrijf S. Brunia breeding program in Kraggenburg, Netherlands in 2008. Seed from the cross was grown in a greenhouse in 2009 with resulting tubers planted in the field in Kraggenburg, Netherlands in 2010. KW08-10 was selected in 2012 based on disease resistance, processing and tablestock qualities, taste and cooking quality.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'River 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 'River Russet' with reference varieties 'Innovator' and 'Monica Russet'

Plant height (cm)

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Potato: 'River Russet' (right) with reference varieties 'Monica Russet' (left) and 'Innovator' (centre)