Ferndale

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Vicky'

Summary: The lightsprout of ‘Ferndale' is medium to large while that of ‘Vicky' is very small. The base of the lightsprout of ‘Ferndale' is ovoid while that of ‘Vicky' is globose. The base of the lightsprout of ‘Ferndale' has a very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration and very sparse to sparse pubescence while that of ‘Vicky' has a medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration and a medium density of pubescence. In relation to the base, the lightsprout apex of ‘Ferndale' is very small to small while that of ‘Vicky' is medium in size. The lightsprout apex of ‘Ferndale' has a strong to very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration while that of ‘Vicky' has a weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration. The plants of ‘Ferndale' have a semi-upright to spreading growth habit while those of ‘Vicky' have an upright to semi-upright growth habit. The stem of ‘Ferndale' has a low extent of anthocyanin colouration while that of ‘Vicky' has a medium to high extent of anthocyanin colouration. The plants of ‘Ferndale' are taller than those of ‘Vicky'. The tuber of ‘Ferndale' is round to short oval with medium red skin and white flesh while that of ‘Vicky' is oval with light red skin and yellowish white flesh. The base of the eye on the tuber of ‘Ferndale' is red while it is yellow for ‘Vicky'.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: medium to large, medium to many root tips, very short to short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: ovoid, very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, very sparse to sparse pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT APEX: very small to small in relation to base, closed habit, strong to very 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, medium number of inflorescences, matures mid-season

STEM: low extent of anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: small to medium size, overlapping to touching arrangement of leaflets, few secondary leaflets, medium to dark green upper side, medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration on upper side of midrib
SECOND PAIR OF LATERAL LEAFLETS: medium width in relation to length
TERMINAL AND LATERAL LEAFLETS: medium frequency of coalescence

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

TUBER: round to short oval, white flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow to medium depth, red at base
TUBER SKIN: medium red, smooth texture

Origin & Breeding History: 'Ferndale' (experimental designation HZA 13-1486) originated from the cross between the line HZD 99-1321, as the female parent, and the variety ‘NORDANNA' as the male parent, conducted at the HZPC Research B.V. breeding station in Metslawier, the Netherlands in 2012. The new variety was identified at the F1 generation in 2013 based on visual appearance, agronomic characteristics, disease resistance and quality characteristics.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Ferndale' 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 'Ferndale' with reference variety 'Vicky'

Plant height (cm)

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Potato: ‘Ferndale' (left) with reference variety ‘Vicky' (right)