AAC Robin

Potato

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Chieftain' and 'Norland'

Summary: The lightsprout of 'AAC Robin' is spherical in shape while the lightsprout of 'Norland' is ovoid. The base of the lightsprout of 'AAC Robin' has sparse to a medium density of pubescence while the base of the lightsprout of 'Chieftain' has dense pubescence. The plants of 'AAC Robin' have a semi-upright growth habit while those of 'Norland' have a spreading growth habit. The plants of 'AAC Robin' are shorter than the plants of 'Chieftain' and taller than those of 'Norland'. The plants of 'AAC Robin' have a low frequency of flowers while the plants of 'Chieftain' have a high frequency of flowers. The plants of 'AAC Robin' mature mid to late in the season while those of 'Norland' mature early to mid-season.

Description:

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

PLANT: leaf type foliage structure where foliage is half open and stems are partly visible, semi-upright growth habit, low frequency of flowers, matures mid to late season

STEM: low extent of anthocyanin colouration along entire stem

LEAF: medium to large outline, closed, medium to strong presence of secondary leaflets, dark green upper side, low extent of low intensity 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 to large, leaflet is narrower than long
LEAFLET: medium to strong degree of waviness of margin, medium to deep veins

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

TUBER: oval, white flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow, red at base
TUBER SKIN: red

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Robin' (experimental designations AR2015-15 and V07116-1) originated from a cross conducted at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Lethbridge, Alberta in 2007. The cross was made between the varieties 'CV89023-2', as the female parent, and 'V0498-1', as the male parent. The true potato seed from the cross was sown in the greenhouse in 2008 and the resulting seedling tubers were planted at the Vauxhall Research Substation in Vauxhall, Alberta in 2009 for selection and evaluation. 'AAC Robin' was selected from this trial in 2009 based on vine maturity; tuber number, appearance, shape, size and flesh colour.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'AAC Robin' 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 Robin' with reference varieties 'Chieftain' and 'Norland'

Plant height (cm)

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Potato: 'AAC Robin' (top) with reference varieties 'Chieftain' (center) and 'Norland' (bottom)