Chas

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Superior'

Summary: The lightsprout of ‘Chas' is very small and has a medium number of root tips while that of ‘Superior' is medium sized and has few root tips. The base of the lightsprout of ‘Chas' has a strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration and a medium density of pubescence while that of ‘Superior' has a very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration and absent or very sparse pubescence. The apex of the lightsprout of ‘Chas' has absent or very sparse pubescence while that of ‘Superior' has a medium density of pubescence. The plants of ‘Chas' are taller than those of ‘Superior'. The plants of ‘Chas' have medium to many inflorescences while those of ‘Superior' have a few to a medium number of inflorescences. The stem of ‘Chas' has a low extent of anthocyanin colouration while that of ‘Superior' has an absent or low extent. The leaf of ‘Chas' is large with a medium to many leaflets while that of ‘Superior' is medium sized with few leaflets. The secondary pair of lateral leaflets of ‘Chas' are narrow in relation to the length while those of ‘Superior' are medium to broad in relation to the length. The corolla of ‘Chas' has a medium diameter while that of ‘Superior' has a large diameter. The tuber of ‘Chas' has a smooth skin texture and light yellow flesh colour while that of ‘Superior' has a medium skin texture and white flesh colour.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: very small, medium number of root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: ovoid, strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, medium density of pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT APEX: small to medium size in relation to base, closed habit, medium to strong 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, upright to semi-upright growth habit, medium to many inflorescences, matures early to mid season

STEM: low extent of anthocyanin colouration
LEAF: large, free arrangement of leaflets, medium to many 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 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 diameter
COROLLA (INNER SIDE): medium to high extent of anthocyanin colouration, medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration

TUBER: short-oval, light yellow flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow to medium depth, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: yellow, smooth texture

Origin & Breeding History: 'Chas' (experimental designation 05 6556.1) originated from the cross between ‘Mozart' as the female parent and 'Asterix' as the male parent, conducted at the Irish Seed Potatoes Ltd. breeding station in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom in 2005. One of the resulting progeny was designated 05 6556.1 in 2007 based on tuber shape, skin colour, and disease resistance.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Chas' 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. 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 'Chas' with reference variety 'Superior'

Plant height (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Potato: ‘Chas' (left) with reference variety ‘Superior' (right)