Morning Pearl

Potato

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Smart', 'Prairie Sun' and 'Harvest Moon'

Summary: The intensity of anthocyanin colouration at the base of the lightsprout of 'Morning Pearl' is strong whereas it is of medium intensity for 'Prairie Sun'. The proportion of blue anthocyanin colouration at the base of the lightsprout of 'Morning Pearl' is absent or low whereas it is high for 'Smart'. In relation to the base of the lightsprout, the tip is medium sized for 'Morning Pearl' whereas it is small for 'Smart' and 'Prairie Sun'. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration at the tip of the lightsprout of 'Morning Pearl' is medium to strong whereas it is weak to medium for 'Harvest Moon'. The lightsprout of 'Morning Pearl' has a few root tips whereas 'Smart' and 'Harvest Moon' have a medium number of root tips. The plants of 'Morning Pearl' have a semi-upright growth habit whereas the plants of 'Harvest Moon' have a spreading growth habit. At the apical rosette, the leaflet blade of 'Morning Pearl' is pubescent whereas it is glabrous for the reference varieties. The plants of 'Morning Pearl' are shorter than those of the reference varieties. On the inner side of the corolla, the anthocyanin colouration is of medium extent for 'Morning Pearl' whereas it is absent or very low for 'Smart'. The tuber flesh of 'Morning Pearl' is white whereas it is medium yellow for 'Smart' and light yellow for 'Prairie Sun'.

Description:

LIGHTSPROUT: medium size, ovoid, few root tips, short lateral shoots
LIGHTSPROUT BASE: strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, medium density of pubescence
LIGHTSPROUT TIP: medium size in relation to base, intermediate habit, medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium density of pubescence

PLANT: foliage structure is leaf type where foliage is closed and stems are not or hardly visible, semi-upright growth habit, mid-season to late maturity

STEM: absent or very low extent of anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: medium to large outline, intermediate openness to open, weak to medium presence of secondary leaflets, medium green upper side, absent or very low extent and absent and very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of upper side of midrib, 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: medium to strong waviness of margin, medium to deep veins, dull to medium glossiness on upper side, pubescence on blade at apical rosette

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

TUBER: short oval, white flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow depth, yellow at base
TUBER SKIN: yellow, develops weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration in reaction to light

Origin & Breeding History: 'Morning Pearl' (experimental designation 'TT-08-024/2010-12') originated from a cross between 'Baby Boomer', as the female parent, and 'Piccolo', as the male parent, conducted in 2008 at the Tuberosum Technologies Inc. breeding station in Broderick, Saskatchewan. In 2010, the seed resulting from the cross was seeded and transplanted in a field in Broderick, Saskatchewan. One of the progeny, designated as 'TT-08-024/2010-12' was identified in 2010. Selection criteria was based on negative mass selection for agronomic characteristics and disease resistance.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Morning Pearl' was conducted by Global Agri Services Inc. during the 2018 growing season in Drummond, New Brunswick. The trial consisted of a single, 21 metre long row containing 70 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. The mean difference was significant at the 5% probability level based on a paired Student's t-test.

Comparison table for 'Morning Pearl' with reference varieties 'Smart', 'Prairie Sun' and 'Harvest Moon'

Plant height (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Potato: 'Morning Pearl' (left) with reference varieties 'Smart' (centre left), 'Prairie Sun' (centre right) and 'Harvest Moon' (right)