AAC Toundra Russet

Potato

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Shepody' and 'AAC Commander'

Summary: The base of the lightsprout of 'AAC Toundra Russet' has medium to dense pubescence while that of 'AAC Commander' has sparse pubescence. The lateral shoots on the lightsprout of 'AAC Toundra Russet' are medium in length while those of 'AAC Commander' are long. The plants of 'AAC Toundra Russet' have a semi-upright growth habit while the plants of 'AAC Commander' have an upright growth habit. The leaflet of 'AAC Toundra Russet' has a strong degree of waviness of the margin while the leaflet of 'Shepody' has a medium degree of waviness of the margin and that of 'AAC Commander' has a weak degree of waviness of the margin. The plants of 'AAC Toundra Russet' are taller than those of the reference varieties. The inner side of the corolla of 'AAC Toundra Russet' has an absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration while that of 'Shepody' has a low extent of anthocyanin colouration. The plants of 'AAC Toundra Russet' mature late in the season while the plants of 'AAC Commander' mature mid-season. The tuber of 'AAC Toundra Russet' is long oval in shape while those of the reference varieties are long. The tuber of 'AAC Toundra Russet' has reddish brown skin while those of the reference varieties have light beige skin.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: small, spherical, medium number of root tips, lateral shoots of medium length
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, medium to dense pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: small in relation to base, closed habit, absent or very weak 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 to high frequency of flowers, matures late in the season

STEM: absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: large outline, intermediate to open openness, medium presence of secondary leaflets, medium green upper side, absent or very low extent of absent or very weak 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: medium size, leaflet is narrower than long
LEAFLET: strong degree of waviness of margin, medium to deep veins, dull to medium glossiness on upper side

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

TUBER: long oval, white flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow, white at base
TUBER SKIN: reddish brown

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Toundra Russet' (experimental designations AR2016-03, 16028-07 and F110071) originated from the cross between 'F03008' and 'Innovator', conducted at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Fredericton Research and Development Centre, in Fredericton, New Brunswick in 2010. One of the resulting progeny was selected and designated 16028-07 at the Benton Ridge Breeding Substation of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in New Brunswick in 2011 based on vine maturity, tuber numbers, tuber appearance, tuber shape, tuber size and flesh colour.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'AAC Toundra Russet' 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 a 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.

Comparison table for 'AAC Toundra Russet' with reference varieties 'Shepody' and 'AAC Commander'

Plant height (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Potato: 'AAC Toundra Russet' (left) with reference varieties 'Shepody' (centre) and 'AAC Commander' (right)

Click on image for larger view

Potato: 'AAC Toundra Russet' (top) with reference varieties 'Shepody' (centre) and 'AAC Commander' (bottom)