Primus

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Yukon Gold'

Summary: The base of the lightsprout of ‘Primus' is ovoid while that of ‘Yukon Gold' is globose. The base of the lightsprout of ‘Primus' has a medium proportion of blue in the anthocyanin colouration while that of ‘Yukon Gold' has an absent or very low proportion of blue in the anthocyanin colouration. The lightsprout of ‘Primus' has a medium number of root tips while that of ‘Yukon Gold' has few root tips. The plants of ‘Primus' have a spreading growth habit while those of ‘Yukon Gold' have an upright growth habit. The stem of ‘Primus' has a very low to low extent of anthocyanin colouration while that of ‘Yukon Gold' has a low to medium extent of anthocyanin colouration. The plants of ‘Primus' have many inflorescences while those of ‘Yukon Gold' have few inflorescences. The inner side of the corolla of ‘Primus' has a large extent of anthocyanin coloration while that of ‘Yukon Gold' has a very large extent of anthocyanin coloration. The tuber of ‘Primus' is long while that of ‘Yukon Gold' is short oval. The base of the eye on the tuber of ‘Primus' is yellow while it is red for ‘Yukon Gold'.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: medium to large, medium number of root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: ovoid, medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, sparse to medium density of pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT APEX: small to medium in size in relation to base, closed to intermediate habit, weak to medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration, sparse to medium density of pubescence

PLANT: foliage structure is intermediate type where foliage is half open and stems are partly visible, spreading growth habit, many inflorescences, matures mid-season

STEM: very low to low extent of anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: large to very large, touching to free arrangement of leaflets, medium number of secondary leaflets, light green upper side, absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration on upper side of midrib
SECOND PAIR OF LATERAL LEAFLETS: narrow in relation to length
TERMINAL AND LATERAL LEAFLETS: absent or very 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: large diameter
COROLLA (INNER SIDE): large extent of anthocyanin colouration, medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration

TUBER: long, light yellow flesh
TUBER EYE: very shallow to shallow, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: yellow, smooth texture

Origin & Breeding History: 'Primus' (experimental designation 324 204-12) originated from the cross between the varieties ‘Leandra', as the female parent, and ‘Tessa' as the male parent, conducted at the NORIKA Nordring -Kartoffelzucht- und Vermehrungs breeding station in Sanitz OT Gross Luesewitz, Germany in 2011. The new variety was identified in 2017 based on negative mass selection for agronomic characteristics including tuber shape, tuber skin colour and disease resistances.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Primus' 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. 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: ‘Primus' (left) with reference variety ‘Yukon Gold' (right)