Edison

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Belmonda'

Summary: The base of the lightsprout of ‘Edison' has a medium proportion of blue in the anthocyanin colouration while that of ‘Belmonda' has an absent or low proportion of blue in the anthocyanin colouration. The base of the lightsprout of ‘Edison' has dense pubescence while that of ‘Belmonda' has a medium density of pubescence. The lightsprout apex of ‘Edison' has a strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration while that of ‘Belmonda' has a medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration. The leaf of ‘Edison' has few secondary leaflets while that of ‘Belmonda' has medium to many secondary leaflets. The flower bud of ‘Edison' has a medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration while that of ‘Belmonda' has an absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration. The plants of ‘Edison' have many inflorescences while those of ‘Belmonda' have a medium number of inflorescences. The plants of ‘Edison' mature mid-season while those of ‘Belmonda' mature late to very late in the season. The tuber of ‘Edison' is long oval to long with yellowish white to light yellow flesh while that of ‘Belmonda' is oval with medium yellow flesh.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: small to medium size, medium number of root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: globose, strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, dense pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT APEX: medium size in relation to base, closed habit, strong 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, semi-upright growth habit, many inflorescences, matures mid-season

STEM: very low to low extent of anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: medium to large, touching to free arrangement of leaflets, 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: medium size
PEDUNCLE: absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration
FLOWER BUD: medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration
COROLLA: medium sized 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 oval to long, yellowish white to light yellow flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: yellow, smooth texture

Origin & Breeding History: 'Edison' (experimental designation SA08-323-1) originated from the cross between the variety ‘Diana', as the female parent, and the line 03-363-1 as the pollen parent, conducted at the Saka Pflanzenzucht GmbH & Co KG breeding station in Windeby, Germany in 2009. Seed resulting from the cross was sown in 2010 with resulting tubers harvested and planted in the field in 2011. One selection was designated SA08-323-1 based on agronomic characteristics including tuber shape, tuber skin colour and disease resistances.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Edison' 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: ‘Edison' (left) with reference variety ‘Belmonda' (right)