Hamlin Russet

Potato

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Russet Burbank', 'Shepody' and 'Russet Norkotah'

Summary: The lightsprout of ‘Hamlin Russet' is very small to small while the lightsprout of ‘Russet Norkotah' and ‘Shepody' are medium sized and that of ‘Russet Burbank' is small to medium sized. The base of the lightsprout of ‘Hamlin Russet' has an absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration while those of ‘Russet Norkotah' and ‘Shepody' have a strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration and that of ‘Russet Burbank' has a medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration. The corolla of ‘Hamlin Russet' has a medium to large diameter while that of ‘Russet Norkotah' and ‘Shepody' have a small to medium diameter and that of ‘Russet Burbank' has a small diameter. The corolla of ‘Hamlin Russet' has a high to very high extent of medium to strong intensity anthocyanin colouration while those of ‘Russet Norkotah' and ‘Russet Burbank' have an absent or very low extent of absent or very weak intensity anthocyanin colouration and that of ‘Shepody' has a medium extent of weak intensity anthocyanin colouration.

Description:

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

PLANT: foliage structure is leaf type where foliage is closed and stems are not or hardly visible, semi-upright growth habit, few inflorescences, matures mid-season

STEM: very low to low extent of anthocyanin colouration

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

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

TUBER: long-oval, white flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow depth, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: light yellow brown, rough texture

Origin & Breeding History: 'Hamlin Russet' (experimental designation AF4124-7) originated from the cross between ‘A8469-5' as the female parent and 'SC9512-4' as the male parent, conducted at the University of Maine's Aroostook Research Farm in Presque Isle, Maine, United States in 2004. One of the resulting progeny was designated AF4124-7 in fall of 2006 based on yield, tuber type, early tuber sizing, fry colour, size profile, and tendency to display less internal and external defects.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Hamlin Russet' was conducted by Global Agri Services Inc. in Central Blissville, New Brunswick during the 2024 growing season. The field trial consisted of a single 14.86 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. 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.

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Potato: ‘Hamlin Russet' (left) with reference varieties ‘Russet Norkotah' (centre left), ‘Shepody' (centre right) and ‘Russet Burbank' (right)

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Potato: ‘Hamlin Russet'

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Potato: ‘Hamlin Russet'