AAC Garnet

Potato

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'AAC Blaze' and 'AAC Red Berry'

Summary: The base of the lightsprout of 'AAC Garnet' has a high proportion of blue in the anthocyanin colouration while that of 'AAC Red Berry' has a medium proportion of blue in the anthocyanin colouration. The base of the lightsprout of 'AAC Garnet' has medium to dense pubescence while the base of the lightsprout of 'AAC Blaze' has sparse to medium density of pubescence and that of 'AAC Red Berry' has sparse pubescence. In relation to the size of the base, the lightsprout tip of 'AAC Garnet' is small while that of 'AAC Red Berry' is large. The lightsprout tip of 'AAC Garnet' has a closed habit while that of 'AAC Red Berry' has an intermediate habit between closed and open. The lightsprout tip of 'AAC Garnet' has a weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration while that of 'AAC Red Berry' has an absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration. The lightsprout tip of 'AAC Garnet' has sparse pubescence while that of 'AAC Blaze' has medium density of pubescence. The plants of 'AAC Garnet' are taller than the plants of 'AAC Blaze'. The plants of 'AAC Garnet' mature mid to late in the season while those of 'AAC Blaze' mature early in the season.

Description:

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

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

STEM: medium extent of anthocyanin colouration along entire stem

LEAF: medium size outline, open, medium presence of secondary leaflets, medium green upper side, low to medium extent of anthocyanin colouration on upper side of midrib, weak intensity of 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 in size, leaflet is narrower than long
LEAFLET: weak degree of waviness of margin, medium depth of veins, dull to medium glossiness

PEDUNCLE: low extent of anthocyanin colouration
INFLORESCENCE: medium sized
FLOWER BUD: low extent of anthocyanin colouration
COROLLA: medium sized
COROLLA (INNER SIDE): medium to high intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or low proportion of blue in anthocyanin colouration, medium to high extent of anthocyanin colouration

TUBER: round, white flesh
TUBER EYE: shallow to medium depth, red at base
TUBER SKIN: red

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Garnet' (experimental designations AR2017-08 and F12024) originated from a cross conducted at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Fredericton, New Brunswick in 2011. The cross was made between the varieties 'A11197-02', as the female parent, and 'Redsen', as the male parent. The true potato seed from the cross was sown in the greenhouse in 2012 and the resulting seedling tubers were planted at the Benton Research Substation in Benton, New Brunswick in 2012 for selection and evaluation. 'AAC Garnet' was selected from this trial in 2012 based on vine maturity; tuber number, appearance, shape, size, skin colour and flesh colour.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'AAC Garnet' 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 Garnet' with reference varieties 'AAC Blaze' and 'AAC Red Berry'

Plant height (cm)

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Potato: 'AAC Garnet' (top) with reference varieties 'AAC Blaze' (bottom) and 'AAC Red Berry' (center)