Horizon Russet

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Russet Norkotah'

Summary: The lightsprout of ‘Horizon Russet' has many root tips while that of ‘Russet Norkotah' has a medium number of root tips. The plants of ‘Horizon Russet' have a medium number of inflorescences while those of ‘Russet Norkotah' have few inflorescences. The corolla of ‘Horizon Russet' has a medium sized diameter while that of ‘Russet Norkotah' has a large diameter. The plants of ‘Horizon Russet' are shorter than those of ‘Russet Norkotah'. The plants of ‘Horizon Russet' mature mid to late season while those of ‘Russet Norkotah' mature early to mid-season.

Description:

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

STEM: absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: medium to large, touching arrangement of leaflets, few to a 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: very narrow to narrow in relation to length
TERMINAL AND LATERAL LEAFLETS: absent or very low frequency of coalescence

INFLORESCENCE: medium size
PEDUNCLE: absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration
FLOWER BUD: absent or very 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, white flesh
TUBER EYE: very shallow to shallow, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: orange brown, rough texture

Origin & Breeding History: ‘Horizon Russet' (experimental designation CO05189-3RU) originated from the cross between the varieties ‘CO09713B-7RU, as the female parent and ‘Canela Russet', as the male parent, conducted at the San Luis Valley Research Center, Colorado State University breeding station in Center, Colorado, USA in 2003. The new variety was designated CO05189-3RU in 2007 based on negative mass selection for agronomic characteristics including tuber shape, tuber skin colour as well as disease resistances.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for ‘Horizon Russet' 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 'Horizon Russet' with reference variety 'Russet Norkotah'

Plant height (cm)

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Potato: ‘Horizon Russet' (left) with reference variety ‘Russet Norkotah' (right)