La Belle Russet

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Russet Burbank'

Summary: The base of the lightsprout of 'La Belle Russet' has an absent or very weak to weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration and sparse pubescence while that of 'Russet Burbank' has a medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration and medium to dense pubescence. In relation to the base, the lightsprout tip of 'La Belle Russet' is small while that of 'Russet Burbank' is medium sized. The leaf of 'La Belle Russet' has a medium sized outline whereas that of 'Russet Burbank' has a large outline. The second pair of lateral leaflets of 'La Belle Russet' are medium sized while those of 'Russet Burbank' are large to very large. The flower bud of 'La Belle Russet' has an absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration whereas that of 'Russet Burbank' has a medium to high extent of anthocyanin colouration. The plants of 'La Belle Russet' are shorter than those of 'Russet Burbank'. The peduncle of 'La Belle Russet' has an absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration whereas that of 'Russet Burbank' has a medium extent of anthocyanin colouration. The tuber of 'La Belle Russet' has shallow eyes while that of 'Russet Burbank' has deep eyes.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: small to medium sized, ovoid, medium number of root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: absent or very weak to weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, sparse pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: small in relation to base, closed habit, absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or very sparse pubescence

PLANT: foliage structure is intermediate type where foliage is half open and stems are partly visible, semi-upright growth habit, matures late

STEM: absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: medium sized outline, open, medium presence of secondary leaflets, medium green upper side, absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration on upper side of midrib, absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration on upper side of midrib, absent or very low frequency of coalescence of terminal and lateral leaflets
SECOND PAIR OF LATERAL LEAFLETS: medium sized, leaflet is narrower than long
LEAFLET: absent or very weak degree of waviness of margin, shallow veins, medium glossiness of upper side

PEDUNCLE: absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration
INFLORESCENCE: medium to high frequency per plant, small to medium sized
FLOWER BUD: absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration
COROLLA: medium sized
COROLLA (INNER SIDE): absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration

TUBER: long-oval to long, white flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow, white at base
TUBER SKIN: reddish brown

Origin & Breeding History: 'La Belle Russet' (experimental designation A06021-1T) originated from a hybridization conducted by a four party joint initiative in Idaho, USA in 2006. The cross was made between the varieties 'A99031-1TE', as the female parent, and 'A96013-2', as the male parent. Seed from the cross was planted in a greenhouse in 2007. The resulting tubers were harvested and planted in a field in Tetonia, Idaho, USA during the spring of 2008. The new variety was selected from this field in 2008 based on its agronomic characteristics and resistance to various diseases.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'La Belle Russet' was conducted by Global Agri Services Inc. in Central Blissville, New Brunswick during the 2022 growing season. The field trial consisted of a single, 22 metre long row per variety. Each row contained 70 plants spaced 0.3 metres apart with inter-row spacing of 1.1 metres. Measurements were taken from 10 plants, or 10 parts of plants, of each variety. The mean difference was significant at the 5% 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 'La Belle Russet' with reference variety 'Russet Burbank'

Plant height (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Potato: 'La Belle Russet' (left) with reference variety 'Russet Burbank' (right)