Petunia

Potato

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Peony' and 'Norland'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'Petunia' is medium sized while that of 'Norland' is large. The base of the lightsprout of 'Petunia' has medium to dense pubescence whereas that of 'Norland' has sparse to medium pubescence. In relation to the base, the lightsprout tip of 'Petunia' is small while that of 'Norland' is medium sized. The lightsprout tip of 'Petunia' has a closed habit while that of 'Norland' has an intermediate habit. The leaf of 'Petunia' is open while that of 'Norland' has an intermediate openness. The terminal and lateral leaflets of 'Petunia' have an absent or very low to low frequency of coalescence while those of 'Peony' have a medium frequency of coalescence. The upper side of the leaflet of 'Petunia' has a dull to medium glossiness whereas that of 'Norland' is glossy. The plants of 'Petunia' are taller than those of 'Peony'.

Description:

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

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

STEM: low extent of anthocyanin colouration along entire stem

LEAF: medium sized outline, open, weak presence of secondary leaflets, dark green upper side, very high extent of anthocyanin colouration on upper side of midrib, medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration on upper side of midrib, absent or very low to low frequency of coalescence of terminal and lateral leaflets
SECOND PAIR OF LATERAL LEAFLETS: small to medium sized, leaflet is narrower than long
LEAFLET: absent or very weak to weak degree of waviness of margin, medium depth of veins, dull to medium glossiness of upper side

PEDUNCLE: medium extent of anthocyanin colouration
INFLORESCENCE: medium frequency per plant, small to medium sized
FLOWER BUD: medium to high extent of anthocyanin colouration
COROLLA: medium sized
COROLLA (INNER SIDE): very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, very high extent of anthocyanin colouration

TUBER: round to short oval, white flesh
TUBER EYE: medium depth, red at base
TUBER SKIN: red

Origin & Breeding History: 'Petunia' (experimental designation ND/S-4) originated from a self-pollination of the variety 'Nordonna' conducted at the Tuberosum Technologies Inc. breeding station in Edmonton, Alberta in 2003. Seeds from the cross were collected in 2003 and planted in a field in Edmonton, Alberta in the spring of 2004. The new variety was selected from this field in 2004 based on its agronomic characteristics and resistance to various diseases.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Petunia' 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.

Comparison table for 'Petunia' with reference varieties 'Peony' and 'Norland'

Plant height (cm)

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Potato: 'Petunia' (center left) with reference varieties 'Peony' (left) and 'Norland' (right)