AAC Red Fox

Potato

Variety Description

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

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

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: large, broad cylindrical, medium to many root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, high proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, sparse pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: small in relation to base, closed habit, absent or very 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, low frequency of flowers, matures mid-season

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

LEAF: medium sized outline, closed, medium presence of secondary leaflets, medium green upper side, medium to high extent and medium to high 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: medium to large, leaflet is narrower than long
LEAFLET: absent or very weak degree of waviness of margin, low to medium depth of veins, medium to glossy on upper side

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

TUBER: oval, light yellow flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow, red at base
TUBER SKIN: red

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Red Fox' (experimental designations AR2014-11, F09038, 15742-19) originated from a cross made between the varieties 'Brigus' and 'Redsen' conducted at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Fredericton Research and Development Centre, in Fredericton, New Brunswick, in 2003. In 2008, 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 15742-19 was selected in 2009 from a single hill trial based on vine maturity, tuber numbers, tuber skin and flesh colour, tuber set, appearance, shape and size.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'AAC Red Fox' 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 Fox' (bottom) with reference varieties 'AAC Crimson Tide' (top) and 'AC Red Island' (centre)

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