Rico

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Alegria'

Summary: The base of the lightsprout of ‘Rico' is globose while that of ‘Alegria' is ovoid. The base of the lightsprout of ‘Rico' has a medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration with an absent or low proportion of blue and a medium density of pubescence while that of ‘Alegria' has a weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration with a medium proportion of blue and dense pubescence. The stem of ‘Rico' has a low extent of anthocyanin colouration while that of ‘Alegria' has an absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration. The inner side of the corolla of ‘Rico' has a large to very large extent of medium intensity anthocyanin colouration while that of ‘Alegria' has an absent or very low extent of absent or very weak intensity anthocyanin colouration. The plants of ‘Rico' mature late to very late in the season while those of ‘Alegria' mature mid-season.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: small, few root tips, very short to short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: globose, medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, medium density of pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT APEX: medium size in relation to base, closed habit, medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium density of pubescence

PLANT: foliage structure is intermediate type where foliage is half open and stems are partly visible, semi-upright to spreading growth habit, very few to few inflorescences, matures late to very late in the season

STEM: low extent of anthocyanin colouration

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

TUBER: short oval, light to medium yellow flesh
TUBER EYE: deep, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: light yellow brown, medium texture

Origin & Breeding History: 'Rico' (experimental designation 4158) originated from the cross between the lines HS13 5066, as the female parent, and 968-10 as the male parent, conducted at the NORIKA Nordring -Kartoffelzucht- und Vermehrungs- GmbH breeding station in Sanitz OT Gross Luesewitz, Germany in 2013. The new variety was identified in 2019 based on negative mass selection for agronomic characteristics including amylopectin percentage, tuber shape, tuber skin colour as well as disease resistances.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Rico' 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.

Click on image for larger view

Potato: ‘Rico' (left) with reference variety ‘Alegria' (right)