37
Red-Skinned Potato Variety Development, 1989
K.A. Rykbost i , H. Carlson', and J. Maxwell'
INTRODUCTION
Several producers in the Klamath Basin are interested in pursuing a
growing market opportunity for red-skinned potatoes, both for fresh
markets and for seed production. Historically, a very small acreage of
Red LaSoda has been produced locally for seed and fresh markets. While
Red LaSoda produces very high yields, its appearance is poor due to deep
eyes and light color. Furthermore, color fades quickly in storage.
Northwestern potato variety development efforts are largely directed
toward russet-skinned varieties. A systematic search for superior reds
adapted to the region was initiated at KES in 1988 to accomplish two
objectives: 1) to start a red-skinned potato seedling screening program
to identify superior new breeding lines well adapted to the Klamath
Basin; and 2) to evaluate named and released North American red-skinned
potato varieties for adaptability to local conditions.
I SINGLE HILL SEEDLING SCREENING
-
Procedures:
First-generation mini-tubers from 15 crosses were provided by the
North Dakota State University Potato Breeding Program. Tuber size
ranged from a few grams to approximately 25 grams. Standard fumigation, fertilization, insect control, and irrigation practices were
followed. Seedlings were planted at 36-inch spacing in 32-inch rows
with a two-row assisted feed planter on May 20. Herbicides included
3.0 lbs ai/A of Eptam applied on June 5 and 0.3 lbs ai/A of metribuzin
applied aerially on July 6. Vines were desiccated with diquat at 1.5
pints/A on September 1. The trial was dug on September 19 and selections were made by a team of specialists and growers.
1/ Superintendent/Associate Professor, Biological Sciences Research
Technician, respectively, Klamath Experiment Station
2/ Superintendent/Farm Advisor, University of California, Tulelake
Field Station
Acknowledgment:
The supply of tuber families from the North Dakota State University
potato breeding program for single-hill, first-generation screening is
gratefully recognized.
38
Results and Discussion:
Herbicide injury from both Eptam and metribuzin resulted in the
loss of a small percentage of seedlings and reduced vigor in about 20
percent. Final plant stands were 86 percent with approximately 50 percent being vigorous plants (Table 1). Plant vigor was notably family
dependent. At the field selection stage 121 clones were saved. After
three months in storage all clones were displayed and evaluated by a
team including four potato specialists and four growers. A total of 43
clones were retained for second-year evaluations. Nearly all exhibited
far superior skin color to standard varieties stored in the same conditions. The two crosses of Redsen with 1196-2R accounted for 21 of the
43 clones retained.
Five tubers from each clone were eye-indexed and will be checked for
freedom from virus diseases. Clean lots will be planted in 10-hill plots
at KES in 1990. Tuber-unit planting will be used to assist in detection
of variety mixing which may have occurred at harvest.
II 10-HILL, SECOND-GENERATION SEEDLING SCREENING
Procedures:
Forty-two single-hill selections from 1988 were eye-indexed and
examined for virus infection. Thirty-eight virus-free clones were
planted in tuber-units in 10-hill plots on May 20. Seed pieces were
spaced at 12 inches with 24 inches between tuber-units. Cultural
practices, time of planting and harvesting, and selection procedures
were as described for single-hill plots.
Results and Discussion:
Emergence was 100 percent in all clones. Plant vigor and type was
rated several times during the growing season. Only one of 38 clones
demonstrated a variety mix as evidenced by very distinct plant type
differences. In general, plant vigor was excellent. None of the clones
exhibited herbicide injury or visible virus symptoms.
At harvest 14 clones were selected for further evaluation (Table 2).
After three months of storage 11 clones were considered suitable for
further testing. These have been eye-indexed and virus-free material
will be planted in 30-hill plots for observation in 1990. It is interesting to note that 9 of the 11 are progeny of crosses involving La 1259, 1196-2R or both. The 1196-2R parent has produced very attractive
progeny in both 1988 and 1989.
III ADVANCED RED VARIETY TRIALS
Procedures:
Eleven named varieties and one numbered selection were planted at
KES in a randomized complete block design with four replications on May
20. Individual plots were two rows, 23 feet long. Seed spacing was 8.7
39
inches in 32-inch rows, resulting in 60-hill plots. Fertilizer included
600 lbs/A of 16-16-16 banded at planting and 50 lbs N/A applied as
solution 32 on June 5. The herbicide Eptam was applied at 3.0 lbs ai/A
on June 5 and incorporated with a rolling cultivator. Metribuzin was
applied aerially at 0.3 lbs ai/A on July 6. Standard cultural practices
were followed for insect and disease control and irrigation. Vines were
desiccated with diquat applied at 1.5 pints/A on September 1. Tubers
were harvested and field weights determined on September 25. Approximately 100-pound samples were stored from each plot and graded in late
October. Tubers were graded to USDA standard classes for size, No. l's,
No. 2's and culls. The five largest tubers per sample were cut to
examine for internal defects.
A second experiment planted on organic soil in the Tulelake area
included three red-skinned varieties using the same seed sources. This
trial was a randomized complete block design with four replications and
a total of 20 entries. Individual plots were two rows, 40 feet long.
Seed spacing was 9 inches in 36-inch rows. Standard cultural practices
were followed. Vines were rolled and desiccated with 1.0 pint/A diquat
on September 7. The potatoes were harvested on September 25. All
tubers from each plot were graded.
Results and Discussion:
At KES, slow emergence and poor early season vigor were noted for
Sangre, Redsen, Viking, Red Cloud, and A82705-1. Redsen was seriously
affected by metribuzin and expressed poor vigor throughout the season.
Red Norland and Dark Red Norland emerged rapidly, had very good early
season vigor, and senesced early. Dark Red Norland - strain 13 was
notably later in maturity than the standard Dark Red Norland. Red
TiSoda, Red Pontiac and Chieftain exhibited vigorous vines throughout
the season.
Yields and tuber size distribution varied widely between varieties
(Table 3). Red LaSoda, Red Pontiac, A82705-1 and Viking produced high
total yields but excessively large tubers. All these varieties require
very high planting densities and careful timing of vine desication to
maximize the production of tubers under 10 ounces, the preferred size.
The highest yield of small tubers was noted in Dark Red Norland at both
locations. Sangre, Red Norland and Chieftain also achieved relatively
high yields of small tubers. Dark Red Norland - strain 13 demonstrated
significantly larger size distribution than the standard Dark Red
Norland. Redsen, Bison and Red Cloud produced the lowest total yields.
Redsen's yield was clearly influenced by metribuzin injury.
Dark Red Norland, Red Norland, Bison and Redsen were considered the
most attractive varieties after three months in storage. Light skin
color was observed in Red LaSoda, Dark Red Norland - strain 13 and
A82705-1. Sangre exhibited a russet coloration. Deep eyes detracted
from the appearance of Red LaSoda, Red Pontiac and Red Cloud.
40
CONCLUSIONS
In two years of trials at two locations Dark Red Norland has demonstrated high yields of appropriate size, good appearance and early
maturity. Redsen is clearly the most attractive variety tested and
produces a high percentage of small tubers; however, seed decay and
sensitivity to metribuzin have seriously affected performance of Redsen
in research trials and in commercial production. It is also very susceptible to skinning and bruising at harvest.
To achieve a significant increase in the red-skinned market, growers
will require a red suitable for storage. Both Red LaSoda and Sangre
tend to fade in color during storage. Although Sangre has a long dormancy and excellent storability, it is not a preferred variety after
storage. In 1990 an attempt will be made at KES to more objectively
evaluate skin color and to determine the extent of changes in color
during storage.
In 1988 and 1989 a number of very attractive red-skinned clones were
selected at KES from the North Dakota breeding program. Single-hill,
10-hill, and 30-hill screening trials will be conducted at KES in 1990.
Survivors from the 30-hill screening will be entered in replicated yield
trials in 1991. Red-skinned parents with the highest selection percentage are 1196-2R, La 12-59, and Redsen. Greater use of these parents in
the breeding program will be encouraged.
The strategy of selecting a relatively high percentage of clones at
harvest and re-evaluating them after several months in storage may be an
approach to consider for use in the larger Oregon potato variety selection program. This offers the opportunity to consider storage performance and dormancy at the first stage in the screening process. For
red-skinned varieties it also provides a chance to observe retention of
skin color. These factors may overcome the added costs of storage and
labor and improve the overall efficiency of the selection process.
41
Table 1.
Family
No.
NDO-2428
NDO-2429
NDO-2432
NDO-2438
NDO-2469
NDO-2686
NDO-3314
NDO-3531
NDO-3686
NDO-3755
NDO-3756
NDO-3760
NDO-3761
NDO-3763
NDO-3803
Table 2.
First-year red-skinned seedling screening, Klamath Experiment
Station, 1989.
Clones
Planted
Stand
X
Red Pontiac x 1196-2R
Red Pontiac x 1562-4R
Redsen x Norland
Redsen x 1196-2R
Viking x 1196-2R
1196-2R X Redsen
W806R x 2050-1R
NDTX9-1068-11R x 2496-5R
2428-2R x 2745-3R
Reddale x 1871-3R
Red LaSoda x 2224-5R
Red LaSoda x 3048-2R
Red Pontiac x 1871-3R
Ruby Red x 2224-5R
MN12945 x Ruby Red
130
74
93
266
281
225
82
248
144
97
132
153
92
131
151
88
85
74
94
98
92
87
92
87
69
83
84
92
84
58
Total
2299
Parentage
Number Selected
Sept. 19
Jan. 2
3
3
0
26
15
32
2
22
8
1
3
0
3
3
0
0
0
0
11
6
10
2
6
3
0
1
0
2
2
0
121
43
Second-year red-skinned seedling screening, Klamath Experiment
Station, 1989.
Family
No.
Parentage
Clones
Planted
NDO-3432
NDO-3433
NDO-3450
NDO-3451
NDO-3462
NDO-3503
NDO-3504
NDO-3511
NDO-3530
NDO-3573
Erik x NDTX9-1068-11R
Erik x 1871-3R
Norland x La 12-59
Reddale x NDTX9-1068-11R
Viking x 2428-3R
La 12-59 x NDTX9-1068-11R
La 12-59 X 1196-2R
MN 13035 x NDTX9-1068-11R
NDTX9-1068-11R x W806R
1196-2R x La 12-59
3
2
1
6
1
11
4
1
2
7
Total
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Number Selected
Sept. 19
Jan. 2
3
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
5
2
1
0
0
0
0
33
14
11
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Table 3. Tuber yield by grade and specific gravity for red-skinned selections, 1989.
Selection
4-6 oz
Yield U.S. No. l's
6-10 oz >10 oz Total
cwt/A
B's
Yield
2's/Culls
Total
Specific
Gravity
Klamath Experiment Station
Red LaSoda
Sangre
Red Pontiac
Chieftain
Viking
Bison
141
148
118
138
42
113
240
180
216
167
154
128
158
37
185
117
293
51
539
365
519
422
489
292
45
96
52
87
13
68
74
22
55
29
31
28
658
483
626
538
532
388
1.082
1.073
1.077
1.074
1.073
1.072
Red Norland
Dark Red Norland
Dark Red Norland-13
Red Cloud
A82705-1
Redsen
138
202
99
109
146
93
186
141
175
174
261
71
84
39
115
81
129
13
408
382
389
364
536
177
68
106
57
36
69
74
25
20
51
51
16
13
501
508
497
451
621
264
1.072
1.072
1.074
1.078
1.074
1.071
23
38
22
52
33
48
12
67
33
29
70
15
10
68
0.200
0.004
CV (%)
LSD(.05)
Tulelake i
Red LaSoda
Red Pontiac
Dark Red Norland
CV (%)
LSD(.05)
226
235
226
265
299
208
85
152
46
577
686
480
27
24
38
60
24
21
664
735
539
14
43
18
59
52
70
14
109
31
20
73
46
9
78
1/ Tuber size grades for Tulelake were 4-8 oz, 8-14 oz and >14 oz.