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2006 Potato Variety Report: Introduction 1
Chad M. Hutchinson & Doug Gergela2General Potato Production Information
Potato clones were obtained from university, government, and industry breeding programs. Clones progress through the evaluation program following the track described in the Potato Variety Evaluation Flowchart (Figure 1, page 7).
Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) in the Tri-County Agricultural Area (TCAA) around Hastings, Florida are grown in 60-foot-wide beds consisting of sixteen rows. Rows are raised with a between-row spacing of 40 inches (center to center). The research plots were irrigated with seepage irrigation. A clay layer underlies the topsoil at a depth of three to five feet in the TCAA. In this system, the perched water table depth is managed by water flow into irrigation canals spaced between beds. Potato beds were irrigated continuously over the season except after a rain event.
Variety trials, unless noted, were conducted at the Plant Science Research and Education Units Hastings Farm in Hastings, FL. The PSREU is part of the University of Florida/IFAS network of research farms located around the state to conduct research on important horticultural crops. The soil at the field site is classified as Ellzey fine sand (sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic Arenic Ochraqualf; sand 90-95%, < 2.5% clay, < 5% silt).
Potatoes were planted following a sorghum/sudan grass summer cover crop (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench x S. arundinaceum (Desv.) Stapf var. SX17, Dekalb). Cover crop was incorporated into the potato beds in September, 2005. Potato beds were fumigated with 1,3-dichloropropene (Telone II, 6 gal/A) in mid-December 2005. Potato seed pieces were dusted with fungicide (Maxim MZ) prior to planting. Quadris (8 oz/A) was applied in furrow at planting. Aldicarb (Temik, 20 lb/A) was also applied in furrow at planting. Metribuzin (Sencor DF, 16 oz/A) and Metolachlor (Dual II Magnum, 1 pt/A) were broadcast at hilling. Fungicides and insecticides were applied on a schedule based on IPM practices. Fresh market variety plots were vine-killed by chemical desiccation with diquat (Reglone 1 pt/A, 2 applications).
Fertilizer (100-43-86 granular) was incorporated into the beds prior to planting. Two split side-dress fertilizer applications (65-0-56, granular) were made in all trials during the season. Side-dress application dates, depending on the planting date of the respective trial, were March 8, 16, and 27, 2006.
Potato seed pieces were hand cut (approx. 2.5 oz) and hand planted on an 8-inch within-row spacing unless otherwise noted. Plant growth characteristics were rated during the season following the descriptions listed in Table 1 (page 8). Plant type was rated at full flower approximately 60 days after planting. No growth enhancers or chemicals to enhance skin color were used in any trial unless otherwise noted.
Plots were harvested with a single-row, commercial potato harvester. Potatoes were graded using commercial grading equipment. Culls were removed and remaining potatoes were separated into six size classes and weighed. Specific gravity was measured on a random 20-tuber sample from each plot using the weight-in-air/weight-in-water method. A random sample was rated for external appearance characteristics. External tuber quality characteristics were rated following the descriptions in Table 2 (page 9). A second 20-tuber sample was collected and each tuber cut into fourths and rated for hollow heart (HH), brown rot (BR), corky ringspot (CRS), internal heat necrosis (IHN), and brown center (BC). BC was rated as light, moderate, or heavy if the cut pieces displayed the respective defects.
Sub-samples of potatoes from the USPB/SFA and Chipping trial were shipped to Utz Quality Foods. Chips were prepared and rated following the procedures outlined in the Snack Food Association Chipping Potato Handbook (1995). Chip Agtron scores are presented in their respective chapters. An Agtron value of 45 is usually the standard for acceptable potato chip color. Agtron values less than 45 are considered unacceptable. A sub-sample of potatoes was also chipped by Wise Foods. Visual rating scores are not presented due to space limitations.
Seasonal Weather and Growing Conditions
Weather conditions were unseasonably dry during the 2006 potato season (Appendix 1; Tables 34 and 35). January and February saw mostly normal rainfall. March, April and May were noticeably drier than normal in the TCAA. Early June was also dry, allowing later harvest of tubers. Only four mornings had temperature readings at or below freezing. Seepage irrigation ran almost constantly from mid-late February until two weeks prior to harvest. Overall, yields and quality at the research farm were about average.
Production
There were no production technique changes for 2006.
Acknowledgements
Many talented and dedicated people assisted in these experiments. Invaluable technical support was provided by Doug Gergela and Pam Solano. The variety evaluation team is indebted to Dr. Christine Worthington, Dr. Fernando Munoz, Scott Taylor, Bart Herrington, Larry Miller, Billy Wingate, Hugh Burnham, Dan Huff and Zhiwei "Allen" Chen for their hard work. Without the commitment and effort from these individuals, the variety evaluation program would not be possible.University of Florida Potato Variety Team
University Faculty
Dr. Chad Hutchinson, Program Leader
University of Florida/IFAS
Horticultural Sciences Department
PO Box 728
9500 Cowpen Branch Road
Hastings, FL 32145
904-692-1792
Fax: 904-692-3306
cmhutch@ufl.edu
University Support Staff
Mr. Doug Gergela, Sr. Biological Scientist
University of Florida/IFAS
Horticultural Sciences Department
P.O. Box 728
9500 Cowpen Branch Road
Hastings, FL 32145
904-692-1792
Fax: 904-692-3306
dgergela@ufl.edu
County Faculty
Mr. David Dinkins
St. Johns County Extension Director
3125 Agriculture Center Drive
St. Augustine, FL 32092-0572
Mr. Edsel Redden
Putnam County Extension Director
111 Yelvington Road Ste 1
East Palatka, FL 32131
Mr. Gene McAvoy
Hendry County Cooperative Extension
P.O. Box 68
Labelle, FL 33975-0068
Dr. Kent Cushman
SWFREC-Immokalee
2686 SR 29N
Immokalee, FL 34142
University Support Staff - Technician
Ms. Pam Solano, Statistician
University of Florida /IFAS
Horticultural Sciences Department
P.O. Box 728
9500 Cowpen Branch Road
Hastings, FL 32145
904-692-1792
Official Potato Variety Information Website
http://www.potato.ifas.ufl.eduUSDA, University, and Industry Cooperators
USDA
Dr. Kathleen HaynesUniversity
USDA Vegetable Laboratory
10300 Baltimore Avenue
Beltsville, MD 20705-2350
Dr. Richard Novy
USDA/ARS
1693 S 2700 W
Aberdeen, ID, 83210
Dr. Walter DeYongIndustry
Dept. of Plant Breeding
252 Emerson Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
Dr. Zenaida Ganga
University of Maine
Aroostook Farm
59 Houlton Road
Presque Isle, Maine 04679
Dr. David Douches
Dept. of Crop & Soil Sciences
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1325
Dr. Susie Thompson
Department of Plant Sciences
North Dakota State University
Fargo, ND 58105-5051
HZPC Americas Corporation
Mr. Don Northcott
P.O. Box 905
Cornwall, PEI COA 1HO CAN
902-892-2004
Wise Foods, Incorporated
Mr. Steve Molnar
228 Raseley Street
Berwick, PA 18603
Maine Farmers Exchange
Mr. Todd Bradley
Mr. Bob Sirois
P.O. Box 869
Presque Isle, ME 04769
800-333-1564
Utz Quality Foods
Mr. Jack Corriere
Mr. Mitch Keeney
900 High Street
Hanover, PA 17331
FIGURE 1. POTATO VARIETY PROGRAM EVALUATION FLOWCHART. Tables
Table 1. Plant Growth Characteristics
Rating
Early Vigor
(plant height)
Vine Type
Vine Maturity
at Harvest/Vine Kill
1 no emergence
decumbent - poor
dead
2 leaves in rosette
decumbent - fair
+-
3 plants < 2 in
decumbent - good
yellow and dying
4 plants 2 to 4 in
spreading - poor
+-
5 plants 4 to 6 in
spreading - fair
moderately senesced
6 plants 6 to 8 in
spreading - good
+-
7 plants 8 to 10 in
upright - poor
starting to senesce
8 plants 10 to 12 in
upright - fair
+-
9 plants > 12 in
upright - good
green and vigorous
Adapted from Sisson and Porter, 2002.
Table 2. Internal and External Potato Tuber Characteristics
Rating
Internal Flesh Color
Skin Color
Skin Texture
Tuber Shape
Eye Depth
Overall
Appearance
1 White
Purple
Partial Russet
Round
Very Deep
Very Poor
2 Cream
Red
Heavy
Russet
Mostly Round
+-+-
3 Light Yellow
Pink
Mod. Russet
Round to Oblong
Deep
Poor
4 Medium Yellow
Dark Brown
Light Russet
Mostly Oblong
+-
+-
5 Dark Yellow
Brown
Netted
Oblong
Intermediate
Fair
6 Pink
Tan
Slightly Netted
Oblong to Long
+-
+-
7 Red
Buff
Mod. Smooth
Mostly Long
Shallow
Good
8 Blue
White
Smooth
Long
+-
+-
9 Purple
Cream
Very Smooth
Cylindrical
Very Shallow
Excellent
Adapted from Sisson and Porter, 2002.
Footnotes
1. This document is HS1081, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date January, 2007. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.2. Chad M. Hutchinson Associate Professor, Doug Gergela, Sr. Biological Scientist, Horticultural Sciences Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611.
The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the products named, and references to them in this publication does not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition. All chemicals should be used in accordance with directions on the manufacturer's label. Use pesticides safely. Read and follow directions on the manufacturer's label.
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U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Larry Arrington, Dean.
Copyright Information
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