Jasper

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Blushing Belle'

Summary: The lightsprout of ‘Jasper' is medium to large, has a medium number of root tips, and medium to long lateral shoots while that of ‘Blushing Belle' is small to medium in size, has very few root tips, and very short lateral shoots. The base of the lightsprout of ‘Jasper' had a medium density of pubescence while that of ‘Blushing Belle' has absent or very sparse pubescence. The apex of the lightsprout of ‘Jasper' has medium to dense pubescence while that of ‘Blushing Belle' has very sparse to sparse pubescence. The plants of ‘Jasper' have many to very many inflorescences and mature late in the season while those of ‘Blushing Belle' have a medium number of inflorescences and mature mid-season. The stem of ‘Jasper' has a very high extent of anthocyanin colouration while that of ‘Blushing Belle' has a high extent of anthocyanin colouration. The upper side of the midrib on the leaf of ‘Jasper' has a very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration while that of ‘Blushing Belle' has a medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration. The terminal and lateral leaflets of ‘Jasper' have an absent or low frequency of coalescence while those of ‘Blushing Belle' have a very high frequency of coalescence. The peduncle of ‘Jasper' has a very high extent of anthocyanin colouration while that of ‘Blushing Belle' has a low extent of anthocyanin colouration. The flower bud of ‘Jasper' has a strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration while that of ‘Blushing Belle' has an absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: medium to large size, medium number of root tips, medium to long lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: ovoid, very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low to medium proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, medium density of pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT APEX: small size in relation to base, closed habit, strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium to dense pubescence

PLANT: foliage structure is leaf type where foliage is closed and stems are hardly visible, semi-upright growth habit, many to very many inflorescences, matures late season

STEM: very high extent of anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: medium size, touching to free arrangement of leaflets, medium number of secondary leaflets, dark green upper side, very strong 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: small to medium size
PEDUNCLE: very high extent of anthocyanin colouration
FLOWER BUD: strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration
COROLLA: medium to large diameter
COROLLA (INNER SIDE): very high extent of anthocyanin colouration, very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'Jasper' (experimental designation TT-13-027/2014-03) originated from the cross between 'TT-08-047/2011-05' as the female parent and 'TT-11-017/2012-13' as the male parent, conducted at the Tuberosum Inc, breeding station in Broderick, Saskatchewan, Canada in 2013. One of the resulting progeny was designated TT-13-027/2014-03 in 2014 based on tuber shape, flesh and skin colour, and disease resistance.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Jasper' 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: ‘Jasper' (left) with reference variety ‘Blushing Belle' (right)