Bliss

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Snowden'

Summary: The lightsprout of ‘Bliss' is large while that of ‘Snowden' is very small to small. The base of the lightsprout of ‘Bliss' has a strong to very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration with a high proportion of blue while that of ‘Snowden' has an absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration with an absent or low proportion of blue. The lightsprout apex of ‘Bliss' has a strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration while that of ‘Snowden' has an absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration. The lightsprout of ‘Bliss' has few root tips while that of ‘Snowden' has many root tips. The stem of ‘Bliss' has a medium extent of anthocyanin colouration while that of ‘Snowden' has an absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration. The plants of ‘Bliss' have many large inflorescences while those of ‘Snowden' have very few to few very small inflorescences. The inner side of the corolla of ‘Bliss' has a large extent of strong intensity anthocyanin colouration with a medium proportion of blue while that of ‘Snowden' has an absent or low extent of absent or very low intensity anthocyanin colouration with an absent or low proportion of blue. The plants of ‘Bliss' mature mid-season while those of ‘Snowden' mature late in the season. The tuber skin of ‘Bliss' is yellow and of a smooth texture while that of ‘Snowden' is light yellow brown and of a medium texture.

Description:

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

PLANT: foliage structure is intermediate to leaf type where foliage is half open to closed and stems are partly or hardly visible, semi-upright to spreading growth habit, many inflorescences, matures mid-season

STEM: medium extent of anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: medium to large, touching arrangement of leaflets, few secondary leaflets, medium green upper side, medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration on upper side of midrib
SECOND PAIR OF LATERAL LEAFLETS: narrow in relation to length
TERMINAL AND LATERAL LEAFLETS: low frequency of coalescence

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

TUBER: round, white flesh
TUBER EYE: medium depth, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: yellow, smooth texture

Origin & Breeding History: 'Bliss' (experimental designations NY 163 & L7-2) originated from the cross between the breeding clones E50-8, as the female parent, and E48-2 as the pollen parent, conducted at Cornell University, in Ithaca, New York, USA in 2009. Seed resulting from the cross was sown in 2010 with resulting tubers selected based visual impression and yield. Successive selections in 2011 and 2012 were made based on tuber appearance, fry colour from cold storage, specific gravity, internal and external physical defects, disease resistance, maturity and yield where one line was designated NY163 in 2017.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Bliss' was conducted by Global Agri Services Inc. in Central Blissville, New Brunswick during the 2025 growing season. TThe 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: ‘Bliss' (left) with reference variety ‘Snowden' (right)