Virginia

Potato

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Innovator' and 'Etana'

Summary: The base of the lightsprout of ‘Virginia' is globose while the base of the lightsprout of ‘Innovator' is broad cylindrical and that of ‘Etana' is ovoid. The base of the lightsprout of ‘Virginia' has a strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration while that of ‘Innovator' has a medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration. The base of the lightsprout of ‘Virginia' has an absent or low proportion of blue in the anthocyanin colouration while those of ‘Innovator' and ‘Etana' have a medium proportion of blue in the anthocyanin colouration. The lightsprout of ‘Virginia' has few root tips while those of ‘Innovator' and ‘Etana' have a medium number of root tips. The plants of ‘Virginia' have a medium number of inflorescences while those of Innovator' and ‘Etana' have many to very many inflorescences. The inner side of the corolla of ‘Virginia' has an absent or very low extent of absent or very weak intensity anthocyanin colouration while that of ‘Etana' has a medium extent of medium intensity anthocyanin colouration. The plants of ‘Virginia' are taller than those of ‘Etana'. The plants of ‘Virginia' mature late in the season while those of ‘Innovator' mature mid-season. The tuber of ‘Virginia' is long-oval while those of ‘Innovator' and ‘Etana' are long. The tuber skin of ‘Virginia' is yellow and of a smooth texture while the tuber skin of ‘Innovator' is orange brown and of a rough texture and that of ‘Etana' is light yellow brown with a medium texture.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: medium to large, few root tips, very short to short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: globose, strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, medium density of pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT APEX: medium size in relation to base, closed habit, weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, sparse pubescence

PLANT: foliage structure is intermediate to leaf type where foliage is half open to closed and stems are partly to hardly visible, upright to semi-upright growth habit, medium number of inflorescences, matures late in the season

STEM: very low to low extent of anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: medium to large, overlapping to touching arrangement of leaflets, few secondary leaflets, medium green upper side, absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration on upper side of midrib
SECOND PAIR OF LATERAL LEAFLETS: medium width in relation to length
TERMINAL AND LATERAL LEAFLETS: low frequency of coalescence

INFLORESCENCE: small to medium size
PEDUNCLE: absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration
FLOWER BUD: weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration
COROLLA: medium size diameter
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, light yellow flesh
TUBER EYE: very shallow to shallow, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: yellow, smooth texture

Origin & Breeding History: 'Virginia' originated from the cross between the line RJ 04/391/2 and the variety ‘Challenger' conducted at the Böhm-Nordkartoffel Agrarproduktion breeding station in Vierhuizen, the Netherlands in 2008. The new variety was selected in 2009 based on positive agronomic characteristics. Further evaluations were conducted in subsequent years assessing yield, table and processing qualities, adaptation, grading as well as pest and disease resistance.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Virginia' was conducted by Global Agri Services Inc. in Central Blissville, New Brunswick during the 2025 growing season. The field trial consisted of a single 16-metre-long row for each variety, with rows spaced 1.1 metres apart. Each row contained 70 plants spaced 0.23 metres apart. Measurements were taken from 10 plants, or 10 parts of plants, of each variety. The mean differences were significant at the 5% confidence 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 'Virginia' with reference varieties 'Innovator' and 'Etana'

Plant height (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Potato: ‘Virginia' (left) with reference varieties ‘Etana' (centre) and ‘Innovator' (right)