Am. J. Pot Res (2009) 86:171–182 DOI 10.1007/s12230-009-9069-z
Highland Russet: A Full Season, Processing Variety with High Yields of Uniform U.S. No. 1 Tubers J. C. Stark & R. G. Novy & J. L. Whitworth & S. L. Love & D. L. Corsini & J. J. Pavek & M. I. Vales & S. R. James & D. C. Hane & B. A. Charlton & C. R. Brown & N. R. Knowles & M. J. Pavek & T. L. Brandt & N. Olsen
Published online: 6 March 2009 # Potato Association of America 2009
Abstract Highland Russet is a late-season potato variety with light russet skin notable for its high yield of uniform U.S. No. 1 tubers, and good processing and culinary qualities. It resulted from a 1990 cross between Ranger Russet and Russet Legend and has been evaluated for over 15 years in public and industry trials throughout the western U.S. Highland Russet was released in 2006 by the USDA-ARS and the Agricultural Experiment Stations of Idaho, Oregon and Washington and is a product of the Northwest Potato Variety (Tri-State) Development Program. It is suitable for processing into French fries and other frozen potato products and due to its large blocky
shape, recovers a high proportion of fries per unit weight of tubers. Fry color and processing ratings for Highland Russet were similar to Ranger Russet and Russet Burbank but fry color uniformity was higher than either of the standard varieties. In full-season trials conducted over a three-year period in the states of Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, and California; Highland Russet averaged 7% and 9% higher total yields and 21% and 52% higher U.S. No. 1 yields than Ranger Russet and Russet Burbank, respectively. It has moderately high specific gravity, with values similar to Ranger Russet and higher than Russet Burbank. Highland Russet is moderately resistant to Verticillium wilt and
J. C. Stark (*) Idaho Falls R&E Center, University of Idaho, Idaho Falls, ID 83402-1575, USA e-mail:
[email protected]
D. C. Hane Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Oregon State University, Hermiston, OR 97838, USA
R. G. Novy : J. L. Whitworth Aberdeen Research & Extension (R & E) Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Aberdeen, ID 83210, USA S. L. Love Aberdeen R & E Center, University of Idaho, Aberdeen, ID 83210, USA D. L. Corsini : J. J. Pavek USDA-ARS, Aberdeen, ID 83210, USA M. I. Vales Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA S. R. James Central Oregon Experiment Station, Oregon State University, Redmond, OR 97756, USA
B. A. Charlton Klamath Basin Research and Extension Center, Oregon State University, Klamath Falls, OR 97603, USA
C. R. Brown USDA/ARS, Prosser, WA 99350, USA N. R. Knowles : M. J. Pavek Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA T. L. Brandt : N. Olsen Twin Falls R & E Center, University of Idaho, Twin Falls, ID 83303, USA
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powdery scab root galling, as well as to tuber infections of late blight. It is also moderately resistant to common strains of potato virus Y (PVYO) but is susceptible to PVYNTN. It is moderately susceptible to pink rot, common scab, powdery scab of the tuber and early blight of the tuber, as well as to Pectobacterium soft rot and Fusarium dry rot. Highland Russet is susceptible to foliar late blight, PLRV infection, Root-knot nematode and corky ringspot but is moderately resistant to PLRV net necrosis. The incidence of hollow heart in Highland Russet is low, similar to that of Ranger Russet and lower than Russet Burbank, Blackspot bruise reaction of Highland Russet is similar to Russet Burbank but it is less susceptible to shatter bruise. Resumen Highland Russet es una variedad tardía de papa, de piel ligeramente rugosa, notable por su rendimiento de tubérculos U.S. No. 1 y sus buenas cualidades culinarias y de procesamiento. Es el resultado de cruzamientos entre Ranger Russet y Russet Legend en 1990 y ha sido evaluada por más de 15 años en pruebas públicas y de la industria en el Oeste de los EE.UU. Highland Russet fue liberada el 2006 por el USDA-ARS y por las Estaciones Experimentales Agrícolas de Idaho, Oregon y Washington y es un producto del Programa de Desarrollo Nororiental (Tres Estados) de Variedades de Papa. Es apropiada para el procesado de papa frita y otros productos de papa congelada debido a que es grande, da una alta proporción de tubérculos por unidad de peso. La clasificación del color de fritura y cantidad de procesado de Highland Russet fue similar a Ranger Russet y Russet Burbank pero la uniformidad del color de la fritura fue más alta que cualquiera de las variedades estándar. En pruebas de ciclo completo realizadas por tres años en los Estados de Idaho Oregon, Washington, Colorado y California, Highland Russet promedió 7% y 9% de mayores rendimientos totales y 21% y 52% mayor rendimiento de U.S.No.1 que Ranger Russet y Russet Burbank, respectivamente. Tiene una gravedad específica moderadamente alta, con valores similares a Ranger Russet y más alta que Russet Burbank. Highland Russet es moderadamente resistente a la marchitez por Verticillium y el agallado de la raíz debido a sarna polvorienta, lo mismo que a infecciones del tubérculo por tizón tardío. Es también moderadamente resistente a variantes comunes del virus Y de la papa (PVY), pero es susceptible al PVYNTN. Es moderadamente susceptible a la pudrición rosada, sarna común, sarna polvorienta del tubérculo, tizón temprano del tubérculo, lo mismo que a pudrición blanda por Pectobacterium y pudrición seca por Fusarium. Highland Russet es susceptible a tizón tardío foliar, infección por PLRV, nematodo del nudo y mancha corchosa en anillo, pero es moderadamente resistente a la necrosis en red por PLRV. La incidencia de corazón vacío es baja en Highland Russet, similar a la de Ranger Russet y más baja que la de Russet
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Burbank, la reacción a la mancha negra por magulladura de Highland Russet es similar a la de Russet Burbank pero es menos susceptible a magulladuras por golpe. Keywords Solanum tuberosum . Variety . Breeding . French fry
Introduction Highland Russet is a product of the cooperative Northwest Potato Variety Development Program, comprised of the USDA Agricultural Research Service and the Agricultural Experiment Stations of Idaho, Oregon and Washington. It resulted from a 1990 hybridization by J.J. Pavek between Ranger Russet and Russet Legend (Fig. 1) and was given the clonal designation A9045-7. Ranger Russet (Pavek et al. 1992) is a medium to late maturing russet variety, with a high percentage of U.S. No. 1 tubers, and high specific gravity and vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Russet Legend (Mosley et al. 2000a) is a medium-maturing, russet variety with good culinary quality and high U.S. No. 1 yields. Additional potato cultivars in the pedigree of Highland Russet include Century Russet (Mosley et al. 2000b), Butte (Pavek et al. 1978), Norgold Russet (Johansen 1965), and Lenape (Akeley et al. 1967). Highland Russet was evaluated as a 12-hill selection in 1993, and from 1994 to 1998 in replicated yield trials in Idaho. It was evaluated in the Tri-State Potato Variety trials at sites in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington from 1999– 2001and was subsequently evaluated from 2002–2005 in the Western Regional Potato Variety trials at sites in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, and California. Based on its performance in research and commercial trials, its production of high yields of uniform tubers and its high fry recovery from both field and storage, the decision was made by the Northwest Potato Variety Development Program Committee in 2006 to release Highland Russet. Prior to release, seed increases and commercial trials were conducted in Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
Varietal Description Plant and tuber descriptions of Highland Russet were obtained from field evaluations conducted at Aberdeen, Idaho unless noted otherwise. Plants (Figure 2a, b) Growth habit: medium to large-sized, erect vine expressing late maturity (120 days from planting to harvest, compared with 125 days for Russet Burbank). Vine type is intermediate with foliage moderately open and
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Fig. 1 Pedigree of Highland Russet
A183-8 A492-2 Butte
A139-1 A119-1
Norgold Russet Ranger Russet
ND2475-8 A279-7
A496-4
B3200-2
A6595-3 Highland Russet
A279-7
(A9045-7)
A496-4
B3200-2 A492-2
A6789-7 Century Russet
Viking A6356-8
A6680-5 Russet Legend A6334-20 WNC672-2 Lenape
A6356-9 A463-4 Norgold Russet Delta Gold B3672-3
Tubers
stems partially visible. Stems: Stems average 1.4/plant and are moderately thick, light green with slight red-purple anthocyanin pigmentation, and weakly prominent wings (< 2 mm wide). Leaves: small to medium-sized, light yellowish-green color (Royal Horticulture Society Color Chart, RHSCC yellow-green146B), with an open silhouette, and moderate red-purple anthocyanin pigmentation on the petioles and midribs. Terminal leaflets: medium ovate shape with an acuminate tip and obtuse base; slightly wavy margins; average length 74 mm, width 46 mm (average of 80 mid-canopy leaflets). Primary leaflets: 2–5 pairs with an average of 4.0 pairs; narrowly ovate with an acuminate tip and obtuse base. Secondary leaflets: 1–5 pairs, average 3.0 pairs. Tertiary leaflets: 0–8 pairs, average 3.1 pairs. Stipules: small to medium-sized, non-clasping.
(Figure 2d, e) Tuber numbers per plant are relatively low (5.4/plant). Tubers are oblong to long; similar in shape to Russet Burbank; slightly flattened; mean length 125 mm, range 87 to 175 mm; mean width 65 mm, range 54 to 90 mm; mean thickness 55 mm, range 45 to 83 mm (average of 80 tubers weighing 168 to 336 g). Skin: buff to light tan (RHSCC grayed-yellow164B) color; netted with a lightly colored russet pattern; not scaly. Eyes: very shallow; slightly prominent eyebrow; evenly distributed; moderate number of eyes per tuber, mean 17.3, range 8 to 31. Flesh: cream colored (RHSCC yellow-white 158B); slightly prominent pith region. Dormancy: medium, approximately 85 days when stored at 7°C.
Flowers
Light Sprouts
(Figure 2c) Abundant, averaging 11.7 florets per inflorescence and 4.0 inflorescences per plant. Buds: anthocyanin pigmentation moderate to strong; heavily pubescent calyx and pedicel; pedicel articulation prominent; weak tendency for bud abortion. Calyx: sepals awl-shaped, fused to onethird the length of the bud. Corolla: semi-stellate shape; very light violet color (RHSCC violet84C on the inside surface, violet 85D on the outside) that fades to near white with age; medium-sized, averaging 34 mm diameter as measured from corolla tips. Anthers: yellowish-orange (RHSCC yellow-orange14A) color; arranged as a broad cone. Stigma: capitate, yellowish-green (RHSCC yellowgreen146A) color. Pollen: moderately abundant, semifertile, with lower seed number per berry (approximately 50 to 66% less) when used as a male in hybridizations relative to fully male fertile parents. Berries: spherical, medium green, low production in the field.
(Figure 2f) Medium reddish-brown anthocyanin pigmentation; globose to slightly ovoid base; closed bud scales; weakly hirsute base and moderately hirsute bud scales; moderate number of root initials.
Agronomic Performance Highland Russet is a high-yielding variety with total yields surpassing Ranger Russet and Russet Burbank by 5.6 and 10.7 mt/ha, respectively, in irrigated, full-season trials conducted over a six year period in southern Idaho (Table 1). U.S. No. 1 yields (tubers with diameters greater than 48 mm and less than 5% internal and external defects) surpassed Ranger Russet and Russet Burbank by 11.4 and 22.9 mt/ha, with an average percentage of U.S. No. 1 tubers (85%) substantially greater than either Ranger
174 Fig. 2 Highland Russet: (a) plant, (b) leaf, (c) inflorescence (d) external and internal tuber appearance, (e) grouping of field-grown tubers, and (f) light sprout on tuber
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A
B
C
D
E
F
Russet or Russet Burbank. The tuber size distribution of Highland Russet in these trials was generally similar to Ranger Russet, but with a greater percentage of large (>341 g) tubers. Highland Russet also had substantially fewer culls (11 to 21% less) than Ranger Russet or Russet Burbank. Highland Russet also was evaluated over a four year period in irrigated trials conducted in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington (Table 2). Average total and U.S. No. 1 yields of Highland Russet exceeded both Ranger Russet and Russet Burbank at all locations. The greatest yield differences were in the Washington trials, where Highland Russet yields exceeded Ranger Russet by 8% for total yield and
24% for U.S. No. 1 yield. Percent U.S. No. 1 tubers were also highest for Highland Russet at all locations. Yields for Highland Russet were evaluated at eight locations from 2000 to 2002 in the Western Regional Potato Variety Trials (Table 3). Total yields for Highland Russet exceeded Ranger Russet and Russet Burbank at all locations except Hermiston, OR where Ranger Russet outyielded Highland Russet. When averaged across all eight locations, total yields for Highland Russet were 7% higher than Ranger Russet and 9% higher than Russet Burbank. U.S. No. 1 yields, however, were highest for Highland Russet at all eight locations. The U.S. No. 1 yield advantage for Highland Russet at most locations was substantial, with
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Table 1 Average total yield, U.S. No. 11 yield, yield, percent percent U.S. U.S. No. No. 1’s, 1’s, specific irrigated, gravity, full-season tuber size yield distribution, trials (125–135 and Frenchday fry growing color of Highland seasons) a specific Russet, Ranger gravity,Russet, tuber and size Russet distribution, Burbankand from French 10 irrigated, fry color full-season of conducted yield trials at (125–135 Aberdeen,day Kimberly, growingRexburg, seasons)and conducted Shelley at Idaho Aberdeen, a Highland Kimberly, Rexburg, Russet, Ranger and Shelley Russet, Idaho and Russet Burbank from 10 Cultivar
Highland Russet Ranger Russet Russet Burbank Significance LSD0.05
Yield (mt/ha)
% No. 1
Total
U.S. No. 1
60.4 54.8 49.7
51.2 39.8 28.3
e
e
e
4.3
3.1
4
85 73 56
Specific Gravityb
Fry colorc
Tuber Size Distribution as Percent of Total Yield >341 g
170 – 341 g
114 –169 g
341 g with hollow heart and brown center c Average of 8 trials d Average of 5 trials e Average of 18 trials f Value is percent weight loss during 9 months of storage in 2005 to 2006. Value reflects an average across two storage temperatures of 7 and 9°C at 95% humidity b
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Tuber Defects Highland Russet had incidences of growth cracks and second growth similar to Ranger Russet and lower than Russet Burbank (Table 6), although growth cracks have been observed to be a problem in trials conducted in other western states. Highland Russet is less susceptible to hollow heart than Russet Burbank with values similar to Ranger Russet. It is less susceptible to shatter bruise than Ranger Russet and Russet Burbank, while its susceptibility to blackspot bruise is comparable to that of Russet Burbank but less than Ranger Russet (Table 6). Tuber shrinkage for Highland Russet during nine months of storage was about twice that of Russet Burbank (Table 6). Sensory Evaluations Results of taste panel evaluations of baked potatoes show that sensory ratings were very similar to Russet Burbank in early storage evaluations but were slightly lower following 5 to 6 months of storage at 7°C (Table 7).
Disease Response Evaluations of disease responses for Highland Russet were based on data collected from replicated field trials conducted for a minimum of two years. Verticillium wilt evaluations were conducted at Aberdeen, Idaho and Hermiston, Oregon using naturally occurring inocula and protocols described by Corsini et al. 1988. Common scab was evaluated on tubers collected from three replicates from field trials arranged in a randomized complete block (RCB) using naturally occurring inocula. Early blight evaluations were conducted at Aberdeen and were based on visual estimates of the amount of leaf area infected in three replicate plots of a RCB design. Powdery scab evaluations were conducted using RCB designs at Parker, Idaho by estimating root galling, tuber lesion severity and incidence in three replications and at
Potter Co., Pennsylvannia in tuber incidence evaluations using four replications. Pink rot was also evaluated in the Idaho trials at harvest and healthy tubers were subsequently evaluated for pink rot and powdery scab symptoms after one month of storage. Late blight field evaluations were conducted at Corvallis, Oregon as described by Mosley et al. (2003). Evaluations of PLRV, PVY, and PVX resistances were conducted at Kimberly, Idaho using virus-infected spreader rows as described by Corsini et al. (1994). Primary foliar and tubers symptoms caused by PVY strains were conducted in a greenhouse at Aberdeen by manually inoculating plants grown from virus-tested certified minitubers. Plants were inoculated with seven PVYN:O, three PVYNTN, and one PVYO strain. The plants were then ELISA tested three weeks post-inoculation and evaluated weekly thereafter until maturity. Tuber symptoms were evaluated at harvest and then again after thirty days at room temperature. Corky ringspot evaluations were conducted in a heavily infested field in the Egin Bench region of Idaho in plots arranged in an RCB design with three replications, as well as in the Columbia Basin of Washington and Oregon using protocols described by Brown et al. (2000). Storage disease evaluations were performed as described by Corsini and Pavek (1986). Columbia root-knot nematode evaluations were conducted in the Columbia Basin using methods described in Brown et al. (2006). Highland Russet is moderately resistant to Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae), which is comparable to the resistance exhibited by Ranger Russet, but greater than Russet Burbank. (Table 8) Highland Russet is moderately susceptibile to Pink rot (Phytopthora erythroseptica), which is similar to Ranger Russet, but slightly more resistant than Russet Burbank. It has similar susceptibility to Root-knot nematode as Ranger Russet and Russet Burbank and exhibits moderate susceptibility to common scab caused by Streptomyces scabies, being more resistant than Ranger Russet but more susceptible than Russet Burbank. It exhibits moderate resistance to root infections of powdery
Table 7 Sensory evaluations of Highland Russet and Russet Burbank baked potatoesa Early-storageb Cultivar Highland Russet Russet Burbank a
Late-storagec
Color
Texture
Flavor
Overall appeal
Color
Texture
Flavor
Overall appeal
6.8 6.8
6.3 6.3
6.3 6.2
6.3 6.2
6.3 6.6
5.8 6.0
5.8 5.8
5.8 6.0
Blind sensory evaluations were conducted in Blackfoot, Idaho using 10–12 trained panelists. The values given represent the mean of 3 sessions conducted over a 3- year period from 2004–2006 (1 session/year). Tubers were rated for color, texture, flavor, and overall appeal using a scale with 1=very poor quality and 9=exceptional quality b Early-storage evaluations were conducted approximately 1 month after harvest, prior to the time that the final holding temperature of 7°C was reached c Late-storage evaluations were conducted following 5–6 months storage at 7°C
Responses of Highland Russet to diseases were based on a minimum of 2 years of controlled field evaluations. Responses were defined as very resistant (VR), resistant (R), moderately resistant (MR), moderately susceptible (MS), susceptible (S), and very susceptible (VS). Disease evaluations were conducted at the following locations: Verticillium wilt — Aberdeen, ID and Hermiston, OR; Pink rot — Parker, ID; Root Knot Nematode, Corky ringspot — Prosser, WA; Common scab — Aberdeen, ID; Early blight, Pectobacterium (Erwinia) soft rot, Fusarium dry rot — Aberdeen, ID; Powdery scab of Tuber — Parker, ID and Potter County, PA; Powdery Scab of Roots — Parker, ID; Viruses and PLRV net necrosis — Kimberly, ID; Late blight — Corvallis, OR b Virus responses are based on seed borne infections as determined by ELISA, following field infection with PLRV from aphid vectored source of inter-planted virus infected potato, mechanical inoculation and aphid vectored PVY, and mechanical inoculation with PVX
179
a
S MS S S MS S S S S MR MS S R R VS MR MR S S S VS MR VS S S S S S S S Highland R. Ranger R. R.Burbank
MR MR S
MS MS S
S S S
MS S MR
MR MS MS
MS MR MR
MS MS MS
Soft Rot Corky Ringspot Net Necrosis PLRV Tuber Foliar Tuber Foliar Tuber Root Galling Vert. Wilt
Pink Rot
Root Knot Nematode
Common Scab
Early Blight Powdery Scab Cultivar
Table 8 Disease response of Highland Russet relative to Ranger Russet, and Russet Burbanka
Late Blight
Virusesb
PVYO
PVX
Symptoms of Virus Infection
Storage Diseases
Dry Rot
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scab (Spongospora subterranea) but is moderately susceptible to tuber infections. Highland Russet is susceptible to foliar early blight and moderately susceptible to tuber early blight (Alternaria solani) infections, both of which are similar to the responses observed for Ranger Russet and Russet Burbank. Highland Russet is susceptible to foliar late blight infections, as are Russet Burbank and Ranger Russet. However, it has moderate resistance to tuber late blight infections, which is a higher level of resistance than that exhibited by either Russet Burbank or Ranger Russet. Highland Russet exhibits a high level of resistance to PVX, which is similar to Ranger Russet but greater than Russet Burbank. In addition, it exhibits a similar level of susceptibility to PLRV as Ranger Russet and is slightly more resistant than Russet Burbank. However, it is less susceptible to PLRV net necrosis than either Ranger Russet or Russet Burbank. Highland Russet is more resistant to PVYO than Russet Burbank with a resistance level similar to Ranger Russet. However, it is susceptible to PVYNTN/N:O exhibiting strong symptom expression characterized by yellow flecking in the leaves infected with PVYN:O and yellow flecking and veinal necrosis in the leaves with PVYNTN (Table 9). Highland Russet’s susceptibility to corky ringspot in these trials was similar to Russet Burbank but greater than Ranger Russet. Highland Russet shows moderate susceptibility to Pectobacterium (Erwinia) soft rot and Fusarium dry rot, similar to the response of Ranger Russet but somewhat more resistant than Russet Burbank. In ringrot (Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. sepedonicus) evaluations conducted in 2002–2003 at Colorado State University by Dr. Robert Davidson, Highland Russet demonstrated consistent and relatively early vine symptoms following seed inoculation, and showed consistent and strong tuber symptoms. Biochemical and Nutritional Characteristics Highland Russet, Ranger Russet and Russet Burbank tubers from trials conducted at Aberdeen, Idaho in 2000–2002 were evaluated for several biochemical and nutritional characteristics (Table 10). Percent dry matter for Highland Russet was similar to Ranger Russet but higher than Russet Burbank, a similar pattern to that observed for specific gravities. Sucrose levels were equivalent to Russet Burbank and slightly lower than Ranger Russet, while glucose levels were similar for all three varieties six weeks after harvest at 8.9°C. Percent protein for Highland Russet was similar to Ranger Russet and slightly higher than Russet Burbank. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) concentrations for Highland Russet were 17% higher than Russet Burbank but 36% lower than Ranger Russet, which is a variety known for its high levels of ascorbic acid (Love et al. 2004). Total glycoalkaloid contents were lower for Highland Russet than
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Table 9 Average foliar symptoms and tuber symptoms of Highland Russet, Ranger Russet, and Russet Burbank caused by Potato virus Y strains PVY strain
Russet Burbank Foliar Indexa
Typical symptomb
N:O
1.2
MO
NTN
1.5
MO
O
1.7
MO
Healthy
0.0
None
Ranger Russet Tuber Symptoms presentc
=d
0/7 isolates 0/3 isolates 0/1 isolates none
Highland Russet
Foliar Index
Typical symptom
28
1.3
YF
12
1.7
YF, VN
4
3.0
4
0.0
LFdrop, VN none
Tuber Symptoms present
n=
2/7 isolates 2/3 isolates –e none
Foliar Index
Typical symptom
28
1.1
YF
12
1.7
YF, VN
4
2.3
4
0.0
LFdrop, VN none
Tuber Symptoms present
n=
2/7 isolates 3/3 isolates 0/1 isolates none
28 12 4 4
Symptoms are from primary infections evaluated in a greenhouse Foliar visual index=average of visual index readings from all PVY isolates. Index is based on a foliar symptom scale and is calculated by dividing the sum of each weekly reading by the number of readings (four replications of each clone per isolate). Foliar mosaic scale 0=no symptoms; 1=mild; 2=typical; 3=severe b Typical foliar symptoms; MO=mosaic, YF=yellow flecking in leaflets, VN=veinal necrosis on underside of leaflets, LFdrop=lower leaf necrosis and drop c Tuber symptoms characterized by raised or sunken necrotic lesions and were scored at harvest and after 21 days at room temperature d n= number of plants evaluated for tuber symptoms e —data not included due to sample size, i.e. two of four plants produced no tubers due to plant death from whole plant PVYO hypersensitive reaction; only one tuber produced from one of two remaining plants; tuber was non-symptomatic a
either Ranger Russet or Russet Burbank, all of which were well below the critical threshold concentration of 20 mg/100 g tuber fresh weight.
Management A limited number of studies on the management of Highland Russet have been conducted in southern Idaho and the Columbia Basin. Results of these studies may provide growers in these and other production regions with the basis for developing appropriate management guidelines for their locale. Southern Idaho Optimal seed size for Highland Russet is about 70 to 85 g. Seed should be planted near optimal temperatures to
minimize the potential for soft rot decay. Dry rot potential of seed lots should also be determined and seed should be treated with an effective fungicide when needed. Optimal seed piece spacing for 91 cm wide rows is 23 to 28 cm with a 13 to 15 cm planting depth. Highland Russet has the tendency to set tubers at a medium to shallow depth and tubers are typically large. Therefore, adequate soil needs to be applied to the surface of the hill at final hilling to minimize the potential for tuber greening. Highland Russet has exhibited good resistance to metribuzin when applied at labeled rates. It has an erect, medium sized vine that matures late in the growing season and competes reasonably well with weeds after row closure during early to mid-tuber bulking. Soils infested with Root-knot nematodes or a history of severe early die problems should be fumigated. Routine fungicide applications should also be made to prevent serious early blight infections. Early blight control for
Table 10 Biochemical analyses of Highland Russet, Ranger Russet, and Russet Burbank tubers from the 2000 to 2002 Western Regional Potato Variety Trials at Aberdeen, IDa Cultivar
Highland Russet Ranger Russet Russet Burbank a b
Dry matter (%)
Sucrose (% FWBb)
Glucose (% FWBb)
Protein (% DWBb)
Vitamin C (mg/100 g FWBb)
Total glycoalkaloids (mg/100 g FWBb)
22.9 22.8 21.3
0.18 0.20 0.18
0.11 0.10 0.10
5.2 5.3 4.9
25.2 34.3 21.6
4.2 6.4 5.8
Analyses were conducted on freeze-dried tuber tissue at Aberdeen, Idaho; tissue was taken from tubers stored at 8.9°C six weeks after harvest FWB = Fresh Weight Basis; DWB = Dry Weight Basis
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tubers in fields scheduled for storage can be facilitated by minimizing tuber skinning and bruising during harvest and subsequent handling and avoiding harvesting in wet weather conditions. Total seasonal nitrogen requirements for Highland Russet are similar to Russet Burbank (Stark et al. 2004). Typically, 1/3 to 1/2 of the seasonal N requirement should be applied by row closure, with subsequent in-season applications being based on petiole nitrate concentrations. For southern Idaho, total soil plus fertilizer N recommendations range from about 260 kg N/ha in areas with a 45 t/ha yield potential to 310 kg N/ha in areas with a 67 t/ha yield potential. Nitrogen uptake decreases significantly after August 10–14 so N applications should not be made after that time. Nitrogen response studies conducted for two years at Aberdeen, Idaho indicate that petiole nitrate levels for Highland Russet tend to run about 3,000 to 5000 µg/g higher than Russet Burbank during tuber bulking. Phosphorus, potassium and micronutrient requirements have not been established for Highland Russet. Therefore, it is recommended that growers follow local nutrient management recommendations for Russet Burbank until new guidelines for Highland Russet become available. Seasonal irrigation requirements for Highland Russet are similar to those for Russet Burbank, although Highland Russet is significantly more resistant to water stress-related tuber defects. Therefore, available soil moisture (ASM) should be maintained within the range of 65 to 80% for optimal yield and quality. This irrigation regime should minimize the potential for common scab development. Plant water uptake decreases appreciably in late August, so irrigation application rates need to be adjusted according to soil moisture measurements to avoid developing excessively wet soil conditions that promote disease and enlarged lenticels. Bruise susceptibility is similar to Russet Burbank. Therefore, low soil moisture (
