Red Prairie

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Vicky'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'Red Prairie' has many root tips while that of 'Vicky' has few to a medium number of root tips. The stem of 'Red Prairie' has a low to medium extent of anthocyanin colouration along the entire stem while that of 'Vicky' has a high to very high extent of anthocyanin colouration along the entire stem. The plants of 'Red Prairie' are taller than those of 'Vicky'. The inner side of the corolla of 'Red Prairie' has a high extent of anthocyanin colouration while that of 'Vicky' has a very high extent of anthocyanin colouration. The base of the eye on the tuber of 'Red Prairie' is red while that of 'Vicky' is yellow.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: small to medium sized, ovoid, many root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: strong to very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, dense pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: small in relation to base, closed habit, 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 growth habit, medium frequency of flowers, matures mid to late in the season

STEM: low to medium extent of anthocyanin colouration along the entire stem

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

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

TUBER: oval, cream coloured flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow to medium depth, red at base
TUBER SKIN: red

Origin & Breeding History: 'Red Prairie' (experimental designation W8405-1R) originated from the cross between an unknown variety as the female parent and 'W2303-9R' as the male parent conducted at the University of Wisconsin-Madison breeding station in Madison, Wisconsin, USA in 2004. The new variety was selected and designated W8405-1R in 2009 based on tuber skin colour, tuber size and disease resistance.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Red Prairie' was conducted by Global Agri Services Inc. in Central Blissville, New Brunswick during the 2023 growing season. The field trial consisted of a single 15.2 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 'Red Prairie' with reference variety 'Vicky'

Plant height (cm)

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Potato: 'Red Prairie' (left) with reference variety 'Vicky' (right)

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Potato: 'Red Prairie' (left) with reference variety 'Vicky' (right)