Little Star

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Yellow Star'

Summary: The base of the lightsprout of 'Little Star' has dense to very dense pubescence whereas that of 'Yellow Star' has sparse to a medium density of pubescence. The lightsprout of 'Little Star' has many root tips whereas that of 'Yellow Star' has few root tips. The plants of 'Little Star' are shorter than those of 'Yellow Star'. The plants of 'Little Star' have an absent or very low to low frequency of flowers whereas those of 'Yellow Star' have a high frequency of flowers. The inner side of the corolla of 'Little Star' has a medium extent of weak intensity anthocyanin colouration whereas that of 'Yellow Star' has an absent or very low extent of absent or very weak intensity anthocyanin colouration.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: medium size, 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 to very dense pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: small size in relation to base, closed habit, medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or very sparse pubescence

PLANT: foliage structure is intermediate type where foliage is half open and stems are partly visible, semi-upright growth habit, absent or very low to low frequency of flowers, matures early to mid-season

STEM: absent or very low to low extent of anthocyanin colouration along entire stem

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

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

TUBER: short oval, yellow flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: yellow, strong anthocyanin colouration in reaction to light

Origin & Breeding History: 'Little Star' (experiment designation KO-09-2447) originated from the cross between AR01-3922 as the female parent and AR01-3072 as the male parent, conducted at the Könst Research B.V. breeding station in Nieuw Vennep, Netherlands in 2007. One of the resulting progeny was selected and designated KO-09-2447 in 2009 based on tuber shape, tuber flesh colour, yield and disease resistance.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Little Star' 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 'Little Star' with reference variety 'Yellow Star'

Plant height (cm)

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Potato: 'Little Star' (left) with reference variety 'Yellow Star' (right)

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Potato: 'Little Star' (left) with reference variety 'Yellow Star' (right)