Austin

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Atlantic'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'Austin' is small and spherical in shape while that of 'Atlantic' is medium sized and ovoid. The plants of 'Austin' have an intermediate type foliage structure, where the foliage is half open and the stems are partly visible, while the plants of 'Atlantic' have a leaf type foliage structure, where the foliage is closed and the stems are hardly visible. The stem of 'Austin' has a medium to high extent of anthocyanin colouration while the stem of 'Atlantic' has an absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration. The leaf of 'Austin' is open whereas that of 'Atlantic' has an intermediate openness. The midrib on the upper side of the leaf of 'Austin' has a medium extent of weak to medium intensity anthocyanin colouration while that of 'Atlantic' has an absent or very low extent of absent or very weak anthocyanin coloration. The leaflet of 'Austin' has veins of medium depth while that of 'Atlantic' has deep veins.

Description:

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

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

STEM: medium to high extent of anthocyanin colouration along entire stem

LEAF: large outline, open, medium presence of secondary leaflets, medium to dark green upper side, medium extent of anthocyanin colouration on upper side of midrib, weak to medium 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: large, leaflet is narrower than long
LEAFLET: weak degree of waviness of margin, medium depth of veins, dull glossiness of upper side, no pubescence of blade at apical rosette

PEDUNCLE: medium extent of anthocyanin colouration
INFLORESCENCE: high frequency per plant, medium to large
FLOWER BUD: medium to high extent of anthocyanin colouration
COROLLA: medium to 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, light yellow flesh
TUBER EYE: medium depth, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: light beige, strong anthocyanin colouration of skin in reaction to light

Origin & Breeding History: 'Austin' (experimental designation ISP 18-6-06) originated from a hybridization conducted at the Interseed Potatoes breeding station in Wittmund, Germany in 2006. The cross was made between the varieties 'Albata', as the female parent, and 'Miss Bianka', as the male parent. Seed from the cross was planted in the greenhouse in 2007. The resulting tubers were harvested and planted in the field in Wittmund, Germany in the spring of 2008. The new variety was selected from the progeny in 2008 based on its agronomic characteristics and resistance to various diseases.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Austin' was conducted by Global Agri Services 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.

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Potato: 'Austin' (left) with reference variety 'Atlantic' (right)