AAC Red Berry

Potato

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'AC Red Island' and 'AAC Crimson Tide'

Summary: The shape of the lightsprout of 'AAC Red Berry' is broad cylindrical while that of 'AC Red Island' is ovoid. The base of the lightsprout for 'AAC Red Berry' has a medium proportion of blue in the anthocyanin colouration while that of 'AC Red Island' has an absent or very low proportion of blue in the anthocyanin colouration. The base of the lightsprout of 'AAC Red Berry' has a medium density of pubescence while that of 'AC Red Island' has sparse pubescence. The lightsprout of 'AAC Red Berry' has few to a medium number of root tips while that of 'AAC Crimson Tide' has medium to many root tips. The stem of 'AAC Red Berry' has a low to medium extent of anthocyanin coloration while the stem of 'AAC Crimson Tide' has a medium to high extent of anthocyanin colouration. The plants of 'AAC Red Berry' have a have a semi-upright growth habit and a medium frequency of flowers while the plants of 'AC Red Island' have an upright growth habit and a high frequency of flowers. The inner side of the corolla of 'AAC Red Berry' has a medium to high extent and medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration with a medium proportion of blue while the inner side of the corolla of 'AAC Crimson Tide' has a medium extent and medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration with an absent or very low proportion of blue. The plants of 'AAC Red Berry' mature mid-season while those of 'AAC Crimson Tide' mature early in the season. The tuber of 'AAC Red Berry' is round while the tuber of 'AC Red Island' is long oval.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: small to medium sized, broad cylindrical, few to a medium number of root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, medium density of pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: large in relation to base, intermediate habit, weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium density of pubescence

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

STEM: low to a medium extent of anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: medium sized outline, openness is intermediate between closed and open, medium presence of secondary leaflets, dark green upper side, medium extent of medium intensity 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: absent or very weak degree of waviness of margin, veins of medium depth, medium to glossy on upper side

PEDUNCLE: low extent of anthocyanin colouration
INFLORESCENCE: medium to large
FLOWER BUD: low to a medium extent of anthocyanin colouration
COROLLA: medium sized
COROLLA (INNER SIDE): medium to high extent of medium intensity anthocyanin colouration, medium proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration

TUBER: round, cream coloured flesh
TUBER EYE: medium depth, red at base
TUBER SKIN: red

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Red Berry' (experimental designations AR2014-13, F09078, 15631-72) originated from a cross made between the variety 'AC Red Island' and experimental line F02010 conducted at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Fredericton Research and Development Centre, in Fredericton, New Brunswick, in 2007. 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 Research Substation of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada near Fredericton, New Brunswick. A clone designated as 15631-72 was selected in 2010 from a single hill trial based on vine maturity, tuber numbers, tuber set, appearance, shape and size.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'AAC Red Berry' was conducted at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Fredericton Research and Development Centre, in Fredericton, New Brunswick during the 2021 growing season. The field trial consisted of 2 replicates per variety, arranged in a RCB design. Each replicate was a 12 metre long row containing 40 plants spaced 0.25 metres apart with 0.9 metre inter-row spacing. Measurements were taken from 10 plants, or 10 parts of plants, of each variety. Lightsprout characteristics were assessed on 6 tubers harvested from the comparative trial and observed approximately five months after harvest following natural dormancy breakage.

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Potato: 'AAC Red Berry' (top) with reference varieties 'AAC Crimson Tide' (centre) and 'AC Red Island' (bottom)

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Potato: 'AAC Red Berry' (left) with reference varieties 'AAC Crimson Tide' (centre) and 'AC Red Island' (right)