NCORNSP-026SCRH

Sweet Potato

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Red' and 'NCORNSP-024SCRI' (Sweet Caroline Raven)

Summary: The plants of 'NCORNSP-026SCRH' are taller than the plants of 'NCORNSP-024SCRI'. The length of the primary shoot of 'NCORNSP-026SCRH' is shorter than that of 'Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Red' and longer than that of 'NCORNSP-024SCRI'. 'NCORNSP-026SCRH' has a leaf blade that is deltoid shaped whereas 'Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Red' has a leaf blade this is cordate shaped. The upper side of the mature leaf blade of 'NCORNSP-026SCRH' is dark brown whereas the leaf blade of 'Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Red' is grey brown and that of 'NCORNSP-024SCRI' is black.

Description:

PLANT: upright to spreading growth habit, medium degree of branching

STEM: red purple, thick, absent or weak to medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration of tip, absent or sparse pubescence of tip
INTERNODE: large diameter, strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration
NODE: strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration

PETIOLE: strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration
YOUNG LEAF BLADE: light green on upper side
LEAF BLADE: moderate to deep lobing
LEAF BLADE (UPPER SIDE): newly developed leaf is medium brown (RHS 177A) with dark green (RHS 144A) veins, mid-season developed leaf is medium brown (RHS 166A), mature leaf is closest to dark brown (RHS 200A) with brown purple veins (RHS 187A), strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, very large abaxial veins with very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration.
LEAF BLADE (LOWER SIDE): mature leaf is dark violet (RHS N79A) with dark violet veins (RHS N79A)

Origin & Breeding History: The variety 'NCORNSP-026SCRH' originated from a conventional cross made between the proprietary line 'NC8671-022ORN' and the proprietary line 'NC6176-002ORN'. The cross was conducted in September 2014 and March 2015 at the Horticulture Crops Research Station, Clinton, North Carolina, U.S.A. The resultant seed was harvested and sown in 1 litre pots. Vegetative cuttings were taken from each plant and propagated in April 2015. The resultant young plants were planted in the field as part of a unreplicated plot in June 2015. 'NCORNSP-026SCRH' was selected as a single plant on August 31, 2015 based on plant growth habit, plant vigour, branching, plant architecture, leaf colour, leaf shape and appearance.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'NCORNSP-026SCRH' was conducted in a polyhouse during the spring and summer of 2020, at BioFlora Inc., in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included 20 plants each of the candidate and reference varieties. All plants were grown from rooted cuttings and transplanted into 1 litre containers on April 17, 2020. The observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants or parts of plants of each variety on June 1, 2020. All colour determinations were made using the 2007 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'NCORNSP-026SCRH' with reference varieties 'Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Red' and 'NCORNSP-024SCRI'

Plant height (cm)

Primary shoot length (cm)

Colour of leaf blade (excluding anthocyanin colouration) (RHS)

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Sweet Potato: 'NCORNSP-02SCRH' (left) with reference varieties 'Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Red' (centre) and 'NCORNSP-024SCRI' (right)

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Sweet Potato: 'NCORNSP-02SCRH' (left) with reference varieties 'Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Red' (centre) and 'NCORNSP-024SCRI' (right)