Aurea

Potato

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Kennebec'

Summary: The intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the base of the lightsprout of 'Aurea' is strong whereas the intensity is weak for 'Kennebec'. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the tip of the lightsprout of 'Aurea' is medium whereas the intensity is absent or very weak for 'Kennebec'. The plants of 'Aurea' are taller than the plants of 'Kennebec'. The extent of anthocyanin colouration of the flower bud is low to medium for 'Aurea' whereas the extent is absent or very low for 'Kennebec'. The colour of the tuber flesh of 'Aurea' is light yellow whereas the tuber flesh of 'Kennebec' is white. In reaction to light, the tuber skin of 'Aurea' develops a weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration whereas the tuber skin of 'Kennebec' develops a strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration.

Description:

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

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

STEM: no anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: outline is medium to large, openness is open, medium green on upper side, absent or very low extent and absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration on upper side of midrib, medium presence of secondary leaflets, absent or very low frequency of coalescence of terminal and lateral leaflets
SECOND PAIR OF LATERAL LEAFLETS: medium size, leaflet is narrower than long
LEAFLET: weak waviness of margin, shallow to medium depth of veins, dull upper side, pubescent blade at apical rosette

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

TUBER: round shape, light yellow flesh
TUBER EYE: medium depth, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: light beige, develops weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration in reaction to light

Origin & Breeding History: 'Aurea' originated from the Station de Recherche du Comité Nord breeding program in Bretteville du Grand Caux, France. It is the result of a hybridization conducted in 1989 between the varieties 'Lady Rosetta' and ('Saturna' x 'Pentland Dell'). The seed from the cross was planted in a greenhouse in 1996 and the resulting tubers were planted in the field in 1997. 'Aurea' was selected in 1997 for its agronomic characteristics and resistance to various diseases.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Aurea' was conducted during the growing season of 2015 in Drummond, New Brunswick. The trial consisted of a single, 18.5 metre long row containing 60 plants spaced 0.3 metres apart for each variety. The distance between rows within the trial was 0.9 metres. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants, or 10 parts of plants, of each variety. Mean differences were significant at the 5% probability level based on a paired Student's t-test.

Comparison table for 'Aurea' with reference variety 'Kennebec'

Plant height (cm)

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Potato: 'Aurea' (left) with reference variety 'Kennebec' (right)