AAC Arctic

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Norland'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'AAC Arctic' is small to medium sized while that of 'Norland' is medium to large. The base of the lightsprout of 'AAC Arctic' has an absent or low proportion of blue in the anthocyanin colouration while that of 'Norland' has a medium proportion of blue in the anthocyanin colouration. In relation to the base, the lightsprout tip of 'AAC Arctic' is small and has a closed habit while that of 'Norland' is medium sized with an intermediate habit. The plants of 'AAC Arctic' have a high frequency of flowers while the plants of 'Norland' have a low frequency of flowers. The inner side of the corolla for 'AAC Arctic' has an absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration while that of 'Norland' has a medium extent of anthocyanin colouration.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: small to medium sized, ovoid, few root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low 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 to dense pubescence

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

STEM: absent or low extent of anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: medium to large sized outline, intermediate openness, weak to medium presence of secondary leaflets, medium green upper side, absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration on upper side of midrib, absent or very weak 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 sized, leaflet is narrower than long
LEAFLET: medium degree of waviness of margin, shallow to medium depth of veins, medium to glossy upper side

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

TUBER: oval, cream coloured flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow to medium depth, white at base
TUBER SKIN: light beige

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Arctic' (experimental designations AR2016-16 and F11056) originated from a cross conducted at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Fredericton, New Brunswick in 2009. The cross was made between the varieties designated as 'N0634-07', as the female parent, and 'F02060', as the male parent. The true potato seed from the cross was sown in the greenhouse in 2010 and the resulting seedling tubers were planted at the Benton Research Substation in Benton, New Brunswick in 2011 for selection and evaluation. 'AAC Arctic' was selected from this trial in 2011 based on vine maturity; tuber number, appearance, tuber set, shape, size and skin colour.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'AAC Arctic' was conducted at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Fredericton Research and Development Centre, in Fredericton, New Brunswick during the 2022 growing season. The field trial consisted of 2 replicates per variety, arranged in an RCB design. Each replicate was a 12 metre long row containing 40 plants spaced 0.25 metres apart with a 0.9 metre inter-row spacing. Measurements were taken from 10 plants, or parts of 10 plants, of each variety. The mean differences were significant at the 5% probability level based on a paired Student's t-test. Lightsprout characteristics were assessed on 6 tubers harvested from the comparative trial and observed approximately five months after harvest following normal dormancy breakage.

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Potato: 'AAC Arctic' (top) with reference variety 'Norland' (bottom)