NCORNSP-015SCPI

Sweet Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Seki Blapalm' (Sidekick Black)

Summary: The upper side of the leaf blade of 'NCORNSP-015SCPI' is black while the upper side of the leaf blade of 'Seki Blapalm' is black with green tones. The lowest lobes on the leaf of 'NCORNSP-015SCPI' are shallow while the lowest lobes on the leaf of 'Seki Blapalm' are medium to deep. The plants of 'NCORNSP-015SCPI' produce more inflorescences than the plant of 'Seki Blapalm'.

Description:

PLANT: bushy rounded growth habit, many branches
STEM: red purple, strong anthocyanin, very sparse pubescence, medium thickness, smooth shape

LEAF: alternate arrangement, simple, 3-5 palmate-like lobes, acuminate apex, deeply cordate base, lobes deep with shallow lower lobes, absent or very sparse pubescence on upper and lower side, no variegation, newly developed leaf dark green (RHS 147A) on upper side, brown green (RHS 138B) on lower side, upper side of fully developed leaf black (RHS N186A) turning a darker black (RHS 202A) with brown purple (darker than RHS 187A) veins, lower side dark violet (duller than RHS N79A), strong anthocyanin colouration on lower side
PETIOLE: strong anthocyanin colouration

INFLORESCENCE: purple red rachis with strong anthocyanin colouration, medium flower density
COROLLA: upper lobe light blue violet (RHS 76C) with lighter blue violet (RHS 76D) at base, corolla tube light blue violet (RHS 78C-D) with violet (RHS N78B) at base and on veins.

Origin & Breeding History: The variety 'NCORNSP-015SCPI' originated from an open pollinated cross made at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. The cross was between the female parent, a proprietary breeding line designated NC1926-001ORN, and pollen from unknown male parents. The resultant seed was harvested between September 2005 and April of 2006 and sown in the greenhouse in the spring of 2006. The first cycle of selection on the half-sib seedling population was conducted in seedling trays and the selections from these were transferred into 15 cm pots and maintained in the greenhouse. Two cuttings from each selection were taken in May 2006 and the young plants were planted in the field as two plant unreplicated plots in July 2006 at the Horticultural Crops Research Station in Clinton, North Carolina. The new variety was selected as a single plant on September 26, 2006, based on a combination of exceptional features including plant habit and vigour and foliage colour and shape.

Tests & Trials: The trial of 'NCORNSP-015SCPI' was conducted in a polyhouse during the spring of 2012 in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included a total of 15 plants of each variety. All plants were grown from rooted cuttings which were transplanted into 15 cm pots on May 3, 2012. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants or parts of plants of each variety on June 6, 2012. All colour determinations were made using the 2007 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison table for 'NCORNSP-015SCPI' with reference variety 'Seki Blapalm'

Colour of leaf blade (RHS)

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Sweet Potato: 'NCORNSP-015SCPI' (left) with reference variety 'Seki Blapalm' (right)

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Sweet Potato: 'NCORNSP-015SCPI' (left) with reference variety 'Seki Blapalm' (right)

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Sweet Potato: 'NCORNSP-015SCPI' (left) with reference variety 'Seki Blapalm' (right)