Kingsman

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Innovator'

Summary: The base of the lightsprout of ‘Kingsman' is ovoid with a strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration while that of ‘Innovator' is broad cylindrical with a medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration. The lightsprout apex of ‘Kingsman' has a medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration while that of ‘Innovator' has a very weak to weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration. The plants of ‘Kingsman' have a semi-upright to spreading growth habit while those of ‘Innovator' have an upright to semi-upright growth habit. The plants of ‘Kingsman' mature late in the season while those of ‘Innovator' mature mid-season. The tuber of ‘Kingsman' is short oval with smooth yellow skin while that of ‘Innovator' is long with rough textured orange brown skin.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: medium size, medium number of root tips, very short to short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: ovoid, strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, medium density of pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT APEX: small in relation to base, closed to intermediate habit, medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, sparse pubescence

PLANT: foliage structure is leaf type where foliage is closed and stems are not or hardly visible, semi-upright to spreading growth habit, many to very many inflorescences, matures late in the season

STEM: very low to low extent of anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: medium sized, touching arrangement of leaflets, medium number of secondary leaflets, medium to light green upper side, very weak to weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration on upper side of midrib
SECOND PAIR OF LATERAL LEAFLETS: narrow in relation to length
TERMINAL AND LATERAL LEAFLETS: low frequency of coalescence
INFLORESCENCE: small to medium size
PEDUNCLE: absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration

FLOWER BUD: weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration
COROLLA: small to medium size diameter
COROLLA (INNER SIDE): absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration, absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration

TUBER: short oval, yellowish white flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow to medium depth, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: yellow, smooth texture

Origin & Breeding History: 'Kingsman' (experimental designation 05C 040-006) originated from the cross between the varieties ‘Excalibur', as the female parent, and ‘Caesar', as the male parent, conducted at the Cygnet PB breeding station in Milnathort, Scotland in 2004. The new variety was identified as 05C 040-006 in 2014 based on tuber appearance, yield potential, time of maturity, cooking qualities as well as pest and disease resistance.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Kingsman' was conducted by Global Agri Services Inc. in Central Blissville, New Brunswick during the 2025 growing season. The field trial consisted of a single 16-metre-long row for each variety, with rows spaced 1.1 metres apart. Each row contained 70 plants spaced 0.23 metres apart. Measurements were taken from 10 plants, or 10 parts of plants, of each variety. 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: ‘Kingsman' (left) with reference variety ‘Innovator' (right)