Gem russet: A long russet potato variety with excellent fresh market and french fry processing quality

Gem Russet, a new medium maturing, long russet potato variety, was released in 2000 by the USDA/ARS and the experiment stations of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. It is suited for use in the fresh, frozen-fried processing, and dehydration markets. Total tuber yield of Gem Russet is similar to that of Russet Burbank when grown in eastern Idaho, but lower when grown in the long-season areas of western Idaho and the Columbia Basin of Oregon and Washington. U.S. No. 1 yield is consistently higher that that of Russet Burbank. Tubers of Gem Russet have good processing and baked quality. Gem Russet is resistant to most external and internal physiological defects, including second growth, growth cracks, shatter bruise, and hollow heart. It is moderately susceptible to blackspot bruise. Gem Russet shows extreme resistance to potato virus X, resistance to common scab, and moderate resistance to early dying. Biochemical analysis of Gem Russet tubers has shown higher solids, lower reducing sugar and glycoalkaloid content, and higher concentration of protein and vitamin C when compared with tubers of Russet Burbank.     

Wallowa Russet: A full season long Russet for processing and fresh market

The Agricultural Experiment Stations of Oregon, Idaho, and Washington and the U.S. Department of Agriculture jointly released Wallowa Russet in 2002. This late maturing variety is most suitable for frozen french fry use, but may find limited fresh market potential because of outstanding flavor and texture when baked. Wallowa Russet was evaluated as AO87277-6 in Oregon irrigated trials from 1993 through 1999, and in western regional trials from 1997 through 1999. Averaged over 13 locations in seven states, Wallowa Russet produced total yields of 55.6 mt/ha compared to 53.5 and 45.7 mt/ha for Russet Burbank and Russet Norkotah, respectively, and U.S. No.1 yields of 44.4 mt/ha compared to 30.7 and 36.0 mt/ha for Russet Burbank and Russet Norkotah. Specific gravity is consistently higher for Walowa Russet than for Russet Burbank and fry color is as light or lighter; sugar end development is less than that observed in Russet Burbank. Wallowa Russet is similar to Russet Burbank in susceptibility toVerticillium wilt, foliar early blight (Alternaria solani), and potato leafroll virus (PLRV). However, Wallowa Russet develops less net necrosis than Russet Burbank from PLRV infection. Wallowa Russet is more susceptible to common scab (Streptomyces scabies) than Russet Burbank. It has moderate resistance to potato virus Y (PVY). Tubers of Wallowa Russet are less susceptible to tuber infection and decay caused by potato late blight (Phytophthora infestans) than Russet Norkotah and Ranger Russet. Wallowa Russet has less hollow heart, brown center, blackspot bruise, and fewer growth cracks than Russet Burbank but is more susceptible to shatter bruise. Vitamin C is higher for Wallowa Russet (30.4 mg/100 g fresh weight) than for Russet Burbank (21.9) or Russet Norkotah (22.0), and protein content averaged 5.6% compared to 4.7% and 4.9% for Russet Burbank and Russet Norkotah, respectively.     

Umatilla Russet: A full season long Russet for processing and fresh market use

Umatilla Russet, a moderately late maturing variety especially suitable for frozen French fry processing but also acceptable for tablestock use (boiling, and baking), was jointly released by the Agricultural Experiment Stations of Oregon, Idaho, and Washington and the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1998. Umatilla Russet was evaluated in irrigated trials in Oregon from 1988 to 1997, and in western regional trials from 1989 to 1991. Total yields were similar to those of Russet Burbank, but Umatilla Russet produced higher marketable yields. In three years of regional trials at up to 13 locations in seven western states, Umatilla Russet averaged 40.5 Mg/ha compared with 32.4 Mg/ha for Russet. Burbank. Umatilla Russet fry color and specific gravity are consistently equal to or better than for Russet Burbank. Umatilla Russet is less susceptible toVerticillium wilt than Russet Norkotah, less susceptible to net necrosis than Russet Burbank, and resistant to PVX. It is susceptible to PLRV and expresses foliar symptoms of PVY more clearly than Russet Norkotah. Umatilla Russet is less susceptible to tuber infection and decay caused byPhytophthora infestans than Ranger Russet and Russet Norkotah. Umatilla Russet is less susceptible to hollow heart, brown center, growth cracks, and sugar ends, but more susceptible to blackspot and shatter bruise than Russet Burbank     

Teton Russet: An Early-Maturing,Dual-Purpose Potato Cultivar Having Higher Protein and Vitamin C Content,Low Asparagine,and Resistances to Common Scab and Fusarium Dry Rot

Teton Russet is an early-maturing, medium-russeted, potato cultivar with high merit for both fresh-pack and processing. In early harvest trials in the Pacific Northwest, Teton Russet had total yields similar to Russet Norkotah, and higher than Ranger Russet and Russet Burbank. Marketable yield of Teton Russet in the early harvest trials was also comparable to or higher than Russet Norkotah in Washington and Oregon, and higher than Ranger Russet and Russet Burbank at these sites, as well as in Idaho. In full-season trials, while total yield of the earlier-maturing Teton Russet tended to be lower than Ranger Russet and Russet Burbank, marketable yield was generally higher than Russet Burbank across the majority of sites due to its higher percentage of U.S. No. 1 tubers. Teton Russet is suitable for processing, with acceptable fry color following up to 8 months of storage at 8.9 °C. Uniformity of fry color was also very consistent. Teton Russet has shown lower levels of the amino acid asparagine relative to Ranger Russet and Russet Burbank which may contribute to lower acrylamide levels in French fries and other processed potato products. Teton Russet is notable for having resistance to common scab (Streptomyces spp.) and Fusarium dry rot, and is moderately resistant to tuber net necrosis. Analyses have also shown Teton Russet to have significantly higher protein levels than Russet Norkotah, Ranger Russet, and Russet Burbank, as well as higher vitamin C content than Russet Norkotah and Russet Burbank. Teton Russet was released in 2011 by the USDA-ARS and the Agricultural Experiment Stations of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, and is a product of the Pacific Northwest Potato Variety (Tri-State) Development Program.     

GemStar russet: A potato variety with high yield, good culinary quality, excellent fresh market appearance, and resistance to common scab

GemStar Russet, derived from the cross Gem Russet x A8341-5, was released in 2004 by the USDA/ARS and the agricultural experiment stations of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The foliage of GemStar Russet is dark yellowish-green, spreading, with large leaves and abundant white flowers. The tubers are brown, medium to heavily russeted, oblong, with a slightly prominent eyebrow, white flesh, and indistinct pith. GemStar Russet was compared with Russet Burbank and Russet Norkotah in trials across the Pacific Northwest for yield, quality, and disease response. Except for locations in southern Idaho, in general, GemStar Russet produced slightly lower total yield than Russet Burbank, but much higher U.S. No. 1 yield. When compared with Russet Norkotah, GemStar Russet produced similar total and U.S. No. 1 yields in early harvest trials but higher total and U.S. No. 1 yields in late-harvest trials. When observed for defect problems, GemStar Russet exhibited resistance to second growth, growth cracks, and stemend discoloration, moderate resistance to blackspot and shatter bruising, but a high level of susceptibility to hollow heart. In product quality tests, GemStar Russet was rated superior to Russet Burbank for french fry quality and comparable for baked potato quality. GemStar Russet was found to be immune to PVX, resistant to common scab and powdery scab, moderately resistant to Verticillium wilt, tuber net necrosis caused by PLRV, and corky ringspot. It demonstrated susceptibility to late blight, PLRV, dry rot, soft rot, and ringrot and extreme susceptibility to PVY^o. Biochemical analysis of GemStar Russet tubers showed them to be higher in protein and much higher in vitamin C than those of Russet Burbank or Russet Norkotah. Three-year average for tuber glycoalkaloid concentration was 1.5 mg 100 g^?1.     

Millennium Russet: A dual purpose russet potato variety

Millennium Russet is a medium-late variety with long tubers having light russet skin and white flesh. It has potential as a fresh market and processing (french fries) variety. The tuber type of Millennium Russet is similar to Russet Burbank, but with better external and internal quality. The marketable yield, tuber set, and specific gravity are higher than Russet Burbank. Tubers show good fry color when processed from cold storage (7.2 C). Millennium Russet has a bland flavor and is less mealy and discolored than Russet Burbank. Chemical maturity of Millennium Russet occurs at approximately the same time as Russet Burbank, but it has lower sucrose levels in the bud and stem end. The glucose levels of Millennium Russet were 50% less than Russet Burbank throughout the first 4 months of storage at 10 C. Low glucose levels in the stem end of Millennium Russet when processed out of storage suggest tolerance to stress and low vulnerability to sugar end. Millennium Russet is resistant to common scab and corky ring spot, moderately resistant to dry rot, pink rot, and black scurf, and moderately susceptible to Verticillium wilt, bacterial wilt and brown rot. Millennium Russet is more sensitive to blackspot bruise than Russet Burbank, but more resistant to shatter bruise. Tuber yield of Millennium Russet was less responsive to nitrogen rates when compared with Russet Burbank, but tuber size distribution was more responsive to increases in in-row spacing.     

Sage Russet: a New High Yielding Russet Potato Variety with Cold-Sweetening Resistance,High Vitamin C and Protein Contents and Excellent Fresh Pack and Processing Potential

Sage Russet was released in 2009 by Oregon State University, in cooperation with the USDA-ARS and the Agricultural Experiment Stations of Idaho and Washington. It is a product of the Northwest Potato Variety (Tri-State) Development Program. Sage Russet has a medium-early maturity and produces long, somewhat flattened tubers with medium russeting of the skin. Total yields of Sage Russet are similar to those of Russet Burbank and Ranger Russet, but are significantly higher than those of Russet Norkotah. Sage Russet has significantly higher U.S. No.1 yields than Russet Burbank, Russet Norkotah, and Ranger Russet. It can be grown as an early or late crop with high U.S. No.1 yields and minimal internal defects. It achieved very high merit scores in processing and fresh market in Western Regional trials and can be considered for both markets. Sage Russet has a medium to high fertility requirements with high nitrogen use efficiency and medium storage capability. Sage Russet has moderate specific gravity and produces lighter fry color than the industry standard varieties. The color of fried strips following tuber storage at 4.4 °C and 7.2 °C is significantly lighter for Sage Russet than the control varieties, indicating good cold sweetening resistance. Chemical analyses have shown that Sage Russet has higher protein and vitamin C content than control varieties. Sage Russet is moderately resistant to early dying, early blight, and common scab, is resistant to tuber late blight, but susceptible to Fusarium wilt and is prone to shatter bruise.     

Factors contributing to the blackspot bruise potential of Idaho potato fields

Blackspot bruise is a major problem in the fresh market and frozen french fry industry. The blackspot bruise potential of Russet Burbank and Ranger Russet in Idaho potato fields was determined by surveying commercial fields during 1993 and 1994. Management factors were monitored to determine what practices were contributing to blackspot susceptibility in addition to mechanical damage. The survey included 17 Russet Burbank and 3 Ranger Russet fields in 1993, and 28 Russet Burbank and 8 Ranger Russet fields in 1994. The 1993 season was unusually cool and wet whereas 1994 was warmer than normal, resulting in a wide range of environmental conditions for the 2 year study. Blackspot bruise potential was determined at different stages of tuber physiological maturity by collecting samples several weeks prior to normal harvest, immediately before harvest, and after storing sub-samples for several months. The blackspot bruise potential was measured by both impact and abrasive peel tests. Field maturity was the factor most consistently related to blackspot potential both years. In 1994 a multiple regression of 3 independent variables — field maturity index, specific gravity, and percent available soil water at tuber sampling, compared with the blackspot potential as the dependent variable gave a correlation coefficient of r = 0.73 (p = 0.001). Due to the cool, wet growing season in 1993, there was not enough variability in specific gravity and available soil water among the fields sampled for these factors to correlate with the blackspot potential. The available fertility data, although not complete for all fields, indicated no direct relationship between N, P, or K fertilization and blackspot potential. Preharvest samples in late August had lower blackspot potential than harvest samples in mid September, and storage samples in February had the highest susceptibility. There was a consistent increase in blackspot severity when tubers were equilibrated at 4 C compared with 10 C prior to bruising.     

Summit Russet: A new russet potato variety with good fresh market and frozen processing qualities

Summit Russet (A84118-3), the result of the cross A77236-6 x TND329-1Russ, was released in 2003 by the USDA/ARS and the Agricultural Experiment Stations of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The vines of Summit Russet are erect, with very thick stems, large yellowish-green leaves and abundant white flowers. The tubers are tan, with medium russet skin, long-flattened shape, a slightly prominent eyebrow, white flesh, and moderately prominent pith. Tuber dormancy is very long. Summit Russet was compared with Russet Burbank in trials across the Pacific Northwest for yield, quality, and disease response. In general, Summit Russet produced similar or lower total yields than did Russet Burbank, but higher U.S. No. 1 yields. In Idaho variety trials, Summit Russet exhibited resistance to second growth, growth cracks, blackspot bruise, and stem-end discoloration, and moderate susceptibility to hollow heart and shatter bruise. In comprehensive product quality evaluations, Summit Russet was rated superior to Russet Burbank for french fry quality and similar for baked potato quality. French fry quality was retained after long-term storage. In replicated disease trials, Summit Russet was found to have good resistance to common scab, early blight tuber rot, and Verticillium wilt, and moderate resistance to Fusarium dry rot and tuber net necrosis caused by PLRV. It demonstrated susceptibility to late blight, foliar PLRV, PVX, PVY^o, and bacterial soft rot. Biochemical analysis of Summit Russet tubers showed them to be higher in total solids and sucrose, and lower in dextrose than those of Russet Burbank. Tuber glycoalkaloid concentration as measured from tubers produced in 1994–1996 trials was 6.7 mg 100 g¹.     

Selection, evaluation, and identification of improved Russet Norkotah strains

Strain (sub-clonal, line, or intraclonal) selection for certain characteristics within some potato varieties has been very successful e.g. improved skin type (Russet Burbank from Burbank), improved skin color (Red LaSoda from LaSoda; Red Norland and Dark Red Norland from Norland), and improved vine vigor and yield (Norgold Russet M from Norgold Russet). In 1989, strain selection with Russet Norkotah was initiated by the Texas Potato Variety Development Program. Some 192 giant hill and/or tall type plants were selected from seedsmen and/or commercial Russet Norkotah fields in Colorado, while 183 were selected from commercial fields in Texas. Replicated yield trials with the final 13 of the original strain selections and Russet Norkotah were conducted in 1992, 1993, and 1994 in both Colorado and Texas. A mixed model analysis of variance was performed followed by disjoint cluster analysis in order to group strains into high, medium, and low yielding classes or clusters. Canonical discriminant analysis was performed to confirm the three clusters and to determine the extent to which various yield attributes are related and can be used to separate the three clusters. Several strains including TXNS (Texas Norkotah Strain) 112, TXNS 134, and TXNS 278 were identified as superior in Colorado, while TXNS 223, TXNS 249, and TXNS 296 were similarly identified for Texas growing conditions. These strains usually outyielded Russet Norkotah by 20–30%.     

Western russet: A new potato variety with excellent fresh market and frozen-fried processing quality and field resistance to common scab and PVYo

Western Russet, designated experimentally as A7961-1, and resulting from the cross A68113-4 x Bel-Rus, was released in 2004 by the USDA/ARS and the agricultural experiment stations of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The foliage of Western Russet is spreading, with medium-sized olive-green leaves and abundant white flowers. The tubers are tan, with medium russet skin, oblong shape, a slightly prominent eyebrow, white flesh, and distinctly visible pith. Western Russet was compared with Russet Burbank in trials across the Pacific Northwest for yield, quality, and disease response. In general, Western Russet produced lower total yields than Russet Burbank, but on average and depending on location, similar U.S. No. 1 yields. When observed for defect problems, Western Russet exhibited resistance to second growth, growth cracks, shatter bruise, stem-end discoloration, and heat necrosis, moderate resistance to hollow heart, and moderate susceptibility to blackspot bruise. In product quality tests, Western Russet was rated similar to Russet Burbank for french fry and dehydrated potato flake quality and slightly inferior for baked potato quality. In replicated evaluations, Western Russet was found to have good field resistance to common scab and PVY^o, and moderate resistance to verticillium wilt and tuber net necrosis caused by PLRV. It demonstrated susceptibility to late blight, foliar PLRV, dry rot, soft rot, and tuber early blight. Biochemical analysis of Western Russet tubers showed markedly higher vitamin C content than those of Russet Burbank. Tuber glycoalkaloid concentration in tubers produced in a 1988 trial was 1.0 mg 100 g^?1.     

Pomerelle Russet: an Early Maturing Potato Variety with High Yields of U.S. No. 1 Tubers Suitable for Fresh Market and mid-Storage Processing and Tolerance to Potato Mop-top Virus

Pomerelle Russet is an early maturing fresh potato variety, which produces moderately high early-season (95–110 days after planting) yields of long tubers with brown-russet skin. It is notable for its very attractive, smooth tubers and resistances to internal and external defects with a high percentage of U.S. No. 1 tubers. Fresh merit ratings for Pomerelle Russet in trials conducted in Idaho, Oregon and Washington were consistently higher than Russet Burbank and Russet Norkotah. Early harvest yields for Pomerelle Russet are generally comparable to Russet Norkotah with a higher percentage of U.S. No. 1 tubers. Compared to Russet Burbank and Russet Norkotah, Pomerelle Russet has greater resistance to Potato mop-top virus, soft rot, corky ringspot and tuber infections from late blight. It also has higher protein and vitamin C concentrations than Ranger Russet, Russet Burbank and Russet Norkotah, indicating that it can provide an enhanced level of dietary protein and vitamin C relative to these standard potato varieties. Pomerelle Russet has moderate specific gravity and good resistance to sugar ends. It also has moderately long dormancy, about 30 days shorter than Russet Burbank. Average post-harvest processing ratings for Pomerelle Russet were similar to Ranger Russet and greater than Russet Burbank. Pomerelle Russet also has maintained acceptable fry color for about 180–200 days in storage at 8.9 °C, indicating potential for processing out of mid-term storage, with improved fry color uniformity relative to industry standards. However, its primary use appears to be as a high quality, early fresh variety.     

Effect of seed piece size on performance of three potato varieties in the Klamath Basin of Oregon

A survey of cut seed lots from Klamath Basin commercial potato operations showed poor uniformity of seed piece size and numerous undersize seed pieces in most of the 18 seed lots examined over two years. Experiments were conducted in 1995, 1996, and 1997 to evaluate effects of seed piece size on the performance of Russet Burbank, Russet Norkotah, and Century Russet cultivars. Weighed seed tubers were cut into four pieces to obtain seed piece sizes of 21, 35, 50, 64, and 78 g (+/-2 g). Seed pieces less than 50 g resulted in delayed emergence and reduced stem numbers in all varieties. Effects of seed piece size on yield and tuber size distribution were greatest for Century Russet and least for Russet Norkotah, but were significant for all varieties over the three-year study. Increasing seed piece size increased yield of U.S. No.1 and total yield, while reducing tuber size. An economic analysis, based on crop values for fresh market use and seed costs, found optimum seed piece sizes of 64 g for Russet Burbank and Century Russet and 50 g for Russet Norkotah.     

Bannock russet: A dual-purpose, russet potato cultivar with high U. S. No. 1 yield and multiple disease resistances

Bannock Russet, a late-maturing, long russet potato cultivar, was released in 1999 by the USDA-ARS and the experiment stations of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. It is suitable for processing into french fries and other frozen products. Its attractive russeted skin and excellent culinary qualities also make it suitable for fresh market. Bannock Russet, in comparisons with Russet Burbank, has consistently produced greater U.S. No. 1 yields in trials conducted throughout southern Idaho. In other western trial sites, total yields of Bannock Russet have been comparable to or smaller than that of Russet Burbank, but its percentage of undersize and cull potatoes is consistently less. Bannock Russet is resistant to potato virus Y (PVY), Verticillium wilt, common scab, and leafroll net necrosis. It also has moderate resistance to early blight (foliar and tuber) andErwinia soft rot. With respect to other potato diseases/disorders, Bannock Russet’s level of susceptibility is similar to that of Russet Burbank; the exception being shatter bruise, with Bannock Russet displaying a greater susceptibility. Cultural management guidelines have been developed to minimize shatter bruise in Bannock Russet. Bannock Russet’s multiple disease resistances coupled with its low nitrogen requirement, make it a low-input cultivar that could significantly reduce growers’ production costs.     

Agronomic and economic impact of missing and irregularly spaced potato plants

Missing and irregularly spaced potato plants compromise grower revenue. A recent survey of 70 commercial fields in Washington State, USA, indicated that in-row seedpiece and plant spacing was irregular due to multiple planter skips and clumped seedpieces. Seven percent (2950 missing plants ha^?1) of the intended stand was missing: 6% from planter skips and 1% from nonviable seedpieces. To estimate economic loss to Washington potato growers, two potato (Solanum tuberosum) cultivars, Russet Burbank and Russet Norkotah, were grown in small-plot experiments designed to mimic spacing errors commonly found in Washington fields. Yield and economic values of uniform (optimum) spacing were compared to values coming from treatments that simulated planter skips/missing plants and seed clumps (doubles) in 2001 and 2002. The planter-skip treatments produced the lowest total, market, and U.S. No. 1 yields for both cultivars. In-row plants on both sides of a skip collectively compensated for 56% to 67% of the missing plant’s economic value. Plants in adjacent rows failed to compensate for their missing neighbor. Doubles reduced average tuber size for both cultivars compared with optimum spacing. Using processing market values, 2950 missing Russet Burbank plants ha^?1 reduced seed-cost-adjusted gross income 2.9% or $205 ha^?1. Doubles did not affect Russet Burbank processing value. Using fresh market values, 2950 missing and 1980 doubles ha^?1 reduced Russet Norkotah adjusted gross income 4.4% or $250 ha^?1. Improved planter technology and management efforts would likely improve plant spacing in commercial fields and in turn, grower revenue. Planter manufacturers and growers should consider this information when making management decisions.     

Century Russet: A high-yielding fresh market cultivar with verticillium resistance

Century Russet, a high-yielding, late-maturing variety suitable for fresh tablestock use, was jointly released in 1995 by Agricultural Experiment Stations in Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Colorado, California, and Texas and the USDA Agricultural Research Service. Extremely high yields have been observed for Century Russet in variety trials conducted in Oregon and throughout the western United States under a wide range of soil and climatic conditions. Century Russet produced 40 percent higher marketable yields than Russet Burbank and 67 percent higher marketable yields than Russet Norkotah in 11 regional trials conducted over a three-year period in sevenwestern states. Uniform tuber shape, high yields of count carton sizes, and attractive tuber appearance make Century Russet well suited for the fresh market industry. It is not recommended for chipping or processing into frozen products because of low solids and dark fry color. Century Russet is highly resistant toVerticillium wilt and consistently develops less hollow heart, brown center, and other internal defects than Russet Burbank. It requires more time between vine kill and harvest than Russet Burbank for adequate tuber maturity and skin set. Bruised Century Russet tubers are susceptible to early blight andFusarium infection.     

Economic performance of two new potato varieties using a fresh market consignment-packing model

New potato varieties may provide economic advantages in traditional potato markets. An economic analysis was conducted to determine potential advantages of two new varieties, ‘Gem Russet’ and ‘Summit Russet,’ when compared with ‘Russet Burbank’ in the fresh market. Yield and grade data from 15 location/years were used to calculate net returns for each variety using a price based on a fresh market consignment packing model. Gem Russet and Summit Russet had slightly higher total yield than Russet Burbank when averaged over all location/years. In only six of the 15 location/years for Gem Russet and four of the 15 for Summit Russet was total yield statistically higher than Russet Burbank. Gem Russet and Summit Russet had numerically higher % US No. 1 yield in all of the location/years and statistically higher in 12 and 13, respectively. Both varieties were equal to or higher than Russet Burbank in all location/years for % cartons, consignment sale net value and net returns. The higher net return for Gem Russet and Summit Russet over Russet Burbank make these varieties economically advantageous to grow. This type of analysis is important in assessing the value of a new variety to growers based on existing markets.     

Effects of Planting Configuration and In-Row Plant Spacing on Photosynthetically Active Radiation Interception for Three Irrigated Potato Cultivars

Research studies have evaluated the production of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) grown in conventional and bed planting configurations. However, intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) from these planting configurations has not been quantified. A study conducted in 2008 and 2009 quantified and compared the intercepted PAR from three planting configurations (four row conventional ridged-row [4RC], five row bed [5RB], and seven row bed [7RB]), and from different plant spacings of cvs Russet Burbank, Russet Norkotah, and Ranger Russet potatoes under sprinkler irrigation. A second study was conducted in 2007 to evaluate the relationship between PAR and leaf area of Russet Norkotah and Russet Burbank for the three planting configurations. These studies were conducted at the USDA-ARS Northwest Irrigation & Soils Research Lab in Kimberly, ID, on a Portneuf silt loam (coarse–silty mixed mesic Durixerollic Calciorthid). The canopy of Russet Norkotah and Ranger Russet potatoes grown in 5RB and 7RB planting configurations intercepted more PAR during the early vegetative and tuber initiation growth stages compared to the 4RC planting configuration at equal populations in 2008 and 2009 at all measurement dates. The canopy of Russet Burbank intercepted more PAR during the early growth stage in 2008 when planted in the bed planting configurations compared to the 4RC planting configuration, but not on the July 17, 2008 and July 9, 2009 dates. The canopy cover of Russet Burbank potatoes planted in the 4RC planting configuration tended to catch up with the bed planting configurations quicker than the other two cultivars. In general, the quantity of PAR intercepted as affected by planting configuration did not influence total tuber yield and other measured production variables. Cumulative PAR interception 0–72 days after planting (DAP) was increased 35%, 38%, and 32% for the 5RB and 65%, 69%, 23% for the 7RB relative to the 4RC planting configuration for Ranger Russet, Ranger Norkotah, and Russet Burbank, respectively. Cumulative PAR interception for the season was increased 15%, 16%, and 4% for the 5RB and 23%, 23%, 5% for the 7RB relative to the 4RC planting configuration for Ranger Russet, Ranger Norkotah, and Russet Burbank, respectively. The relationship between intercepted PAR and leaf area for Russet Norkotah during the early vegetative and tuber initiation growth stages was significantly different between the three planting configurations, with intercepted PAR at a given leaf area in the order of 7RB>5RB>4RC. For Russet Burbank, the relationship was significantly different for the 5RB and 7RB compared to 4RC planting configuration only, with intercepted PAR at a given leaf area in the order of 7RB=5RB>4RC.     

Nitrogen fertilization of irrigated Russet potatoes in southcentral Alaska

Allagash Russet, BelRus, Frontier Russet, HiLite Russet, Russet Norkotah and Russet Burbank were evaluated with preplant N fertilizer levels of 0, 67, 134, 201, and 201 kg N/ha in a split application on a Knik silt loam in 1990 and 1991 near Palmer, Alaska. BelRus and Russet Norkotah yielded less marketable tubers than the other cultivars and Russet Burbank performed well under warm, dry 1990 conditions and poorly when conditions were cool and wet (1991). Allagash, HiLite and Frontier Russets were consistent producers with marketable tuber yields averaging 35.4, 32.3, and 32.2 t/ha, respectively. Marketable tuber yield was maximized with approximately 175 kg total N/ha (residual soil plus applied) and approached 43 t/ha in 1990. Splitting the N application had no significant effect on tuber yield. Newly released russets appear promising for commercial Alaska producers.     

Payette Russet: a Dual-Purpose Potato Cultivar with Cold-Sweetening Resistance,Low Acrylamide Formation,and Resistance to Late Blight and Potato Virus Y

Payette Russet is a full season, russet-skinned potato cultivar notable for its cold-sweetening resistance and associated low acrylamide formation, making it ideally suited for processing into French fries and other potato products. Low asparagine and reducing sugar concentrations in Payette Russet tubers contribute to an 81 % reduction in acrylamide content in French fries relative to cultivars Ranger Russet and Russet Burbank following eight months storage at 9 °C. In three years of evaluations in the Western Regional Potato Variety Trials, average yield of Payette Russet was intermediate between Ranger Russet and Russet Burbank, but Payette Russet had the highest U.S. No. 1 yield when averaged across all eight trial locations. Acceptably low tuber glucose concentrations (<0.10 % glucose FWB) were maintained in Payette Russet following up to nine months storage at temperatures as low as 5.6 °C with consistently acceptable French fry color scores obtained (USDA value ≤2.0). Reducing sugars are also maintained uniformly throughout Payette Russet tubers, resulting in a low incidence of sugar ends and reduced mottling in French fries relative to standard processing cultivars. Long tuber dormancy also benefits long-term storage for processing. With its russet skin, Payette Russet could also be used for fresh-pack, and its assemblage of disease resistances makes it especially suitable for organic production, or for use by growers and companies seeking greater sustainability in their production. Payette Russet is resistant to foliar and tuber late blight, common scab, and has extreme resistance to PVY conferred by the presence of the Rysto resistance gene. Payette Russet also has a moderate level of resistance to Verticillium wilt, early blight, and corky ringspot. It is susceptible to Fusarium dry rot (F. sambucinum), therefore production and storage management guidelines are provided to minimize tuber infection. Payette Russet displays a low incidence of second growth and growth cracks, especially relative to Russet Burbank, and is intermediate between Ranger Russet and Russet Burbank for incidence of hollow heart/brown center. Blackspot bruise expression for Payette Russet is similar to Russet Burbank and reduced relative to Ranger Russet. Payette Russet was more susceptible to shatter bruise, internal brown spot, and tuber weight loss in storage relative to the industry standard cultivars. Payette Russet was released in 2015 by the USDA-ARS and the Agricultural Experiment Stations of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, and is a product of the Northwest (Tri-State) Potato Variety Development Program.