King Russet

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Shepody'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'King Russet' has a medium number of root tips whereas the lightsprout of 'Shepody' has few root tips. The stem of 'King Russet' has a low extent of anthocyanin colouration whereas that of 'Shepody' has an absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration. The plants of 'King Russet' are shorter than those of 'Shepody'. The plants of 'King Russet' mature late to very late in the season while those of 'Shepody' mature mid to late in the season.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: medium sized, ovoid, medium number of root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, medium to dense pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: small size in relation to base, closed habit, absent or very weak to weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium density of pubescence

PLANT: foliage structure is intermediate to leaf type where foliage is half open to closed with stems partly to hardly visible, semi-upright growth habit, high frequency of flowers, matures late to very late in the season

STEM: low extent of anthocyanin colouration halfway up the stem

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

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

TUBER: long oval to long, white flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: light beige, absent or very weak to weak anthocyanin colouration in reaction to light

Origin & Breeding History: 'King Russet' (experiment number YP 08-812) originated from the cross conducted between 'Royal' as the female parent and 'Mont Blanc' as the male parent, conducted at the IJSSELMEERPOLDERS BV breeding station in Emmeloord, Netherlands in 2007. One of the resulting progeny was selected and designated YP 08-812 in 2009 based on yield, tuber shape, processing qualities and disease resistance.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'King Russet' 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 'King Russet' with reference variety 'Shepody'

Plant height (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Potato: 'King Russet' (left) with reference variety 'Shepody' (right)

Click on image for larger view

Potato: 'King Russet' (left) with reference variety 'Shepody' (right)