Crop78

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Canberra'

Summary: The lightsprout of ‘Crop78' is small and has medium to many root tips while that of ‘Canberra' is medium sized and has very few to few root tips. The base of the lightsprout of ‘Crop78' has a strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration and very sparse to sparse pubescence while that of ‘Canberra' has a very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration and a medium density of pubescence. The plants of ‘Crop78' have an upright growth habit while those of ‘Canberra' have a semi-upright growth habit. The plants of ‘Crop78' are taller than those of ‘Canberra'. The stem of ‘Crop78' has absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration while that of ‘Canberra' has a medium extent of anthocyanin colouration. The upper side of the midrib on the leaf of ‘Crop78' has an absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration while that of ‘Canberra' has a strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration. The peduncle of ‘Crop78' has an absent or very low to low extent of anthocyanin colouration while that of ‘Canberra' has a medium to high extent of anthocyanin colouration. The tuber of ‘Crop78' has a long-oval to oval form, is red at the base of the eye, and has white flesh while that of ‘Canberra' has a short-oval to oval form, is white at the base of the eye, and has light to medium yellow flesh.

Description:

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

PLANT: foliage structure is intermediate type where foliage is half open and stems are partly visible, upright growth habit, many inflorescences, matures mid to late in the season

STEM: absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: medium to large, touching to free arrangement of leaflets, few secondary leaflets, medium to dark green upper side, absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration on upper side of midrib
SECOND PAIR OF LATERAL LEAFLETS: medium width in relation to length
TERMINAL AND LATERAL LEAFLETS: absent or very low frequency of coalescence

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

TUBER: long-oval to long, white flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow depth, red at base
TUBER SKIN: light red, medium texture

Origin & Breeding History: 'Crop78' (experimental designation 1417/13) originated from the cross between ‘Crop19' as the female parent and 'Crop20' as the male parent, conducted at the New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited in Pukekohe, New Zealand in 2004-2005. Subsequent selection trials occurred at Pukekohe and Lincoln, New Zealand. One of the resulting progeny was designated 1417/13 in 2006 based on end use qualities.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Crop78' was conducted by Global Agri Services Inc. in Central Blissville, New Brunswick during the 2024 growing season. The field trial consisted of a single 14.86 metre long row, per variety. Rows were spaced 1.1 metres apart with each row containing 65 plants spaced 0.23 metres apart. 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 'Crop78' with reference variety 'Canberra'

Plant height (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Potato: ‘Crop78' (left) with reference variety ‘Canberra' (right)