AAC Griffin Russet

Potato

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'AAC Eastern Russet' and 'Innovator'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'AAC Griffin Russet' is conical in shape while the lightsprout of 'Innovator' is broad cylindrical. The base of the lightsprout of 'AAC Griffin Russet' has a medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration with a medium proportion of blue while that of 'Innovator' has a weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration with an absent or low proportion of blue. The base of the lightsprout of 'AAC Griffin Russet' has absent or very sparse pubescence while the base of the lightsprout of 'AAC Eastern' has sparse pubescence and that of 'Innovator' has dense pubescence. The plants of 'AAC Griffin Russet' are shorter than those of 'Innovator'. The plants of 'AAC Griffin Russet' mature late in the season while those of the reference varieties mature mid-season. The base of the eye on the tuber of 'AAC Griffin Russet' is white while those of the reference varieties are yellow.

Description:

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

PLANT: leaf type foliage structure where foliage is closed and stems are not or hardly visible, semi-upright to spreading growth habit, medium to high frequency of flowers, matures late season

STEM: absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: medium sized outline, closed to intermediate openness, medium presence of secondary leaflets, light green upper side, absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration on the upper side of midrib, absent or very low 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: large, leaflet is narrower than long
LEAFLET: weak degree of waviness of margin, shallow to medium depth of veins

PEDUNCLE: low extent of anthocyanin colouration
INFLORESCENCE: large
FLOWER BUD: low extent of anthocyanin colouration
COROLLA: medium to large
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, white flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow, white at base
TUBER SKIN: reddish brown

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Griffin Russet' (experimental designations AR2016-05 and V05060-2) originated from a cross conducted at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Lethbridge, Alberta in 2005. The cross was made between the varieties 'FV12235-3', as the female parent, and 'A9304-3', as the male parent. The true potato seed from the cross was sown in the greenhouse in 2006 and the resulting seedling tubers were planted at the Vauxhall Research Substation in Vauxhall, Alberta in 2006 for selection and evaluation. 'AAC Griffin Russet' was selected from this trial in 2006 based on vine maturity; tuber number, appearance, shape, size and flesh colour.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'AAC Griffin Russet' was conducted at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Fredericton Research and Development Centre, in Fredericton, New Brunswick during the 2022 growing season. The field trial consisted of 2 replicates per variety, arranged in an RCB design. Each replicate was a 12 metre long row containing 40 plants spaced 0.25 metres apart with a 0.9 metre inter-row spacing. Measurements were taken from 10 plants, or parts of 10 plants, of each variety. The mean differences were significant at the 5% probability level based on a paired Student's t-test. Lightsprout characteristics were assessed on 6 tubers harvested from the comparative trial and observed approximately five months after harvest following normal dormancy breakage.

Comparison table for 'AAC Griffin Russet' with reference varieties 'AAC Eastern Russet' and 'Innovator'

Plant height (cm)

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Potato: 'AAC Griffin Russet' (top) with reference varieties 'AAC Eastern Russet' (center) and 'Innovator' (bottom)