Millennium Russet: A Dual Purpose Russet Potato Variety

American Journal of Potato Research, May/Jun 2005 by Groza, H I, Bowen, B D, Kichefski, D, Peloquin, S J, Et al

ABSTRACT

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.

RESUMEN

Millennium Russet es una variedad medianamente tard�a con tub�rcules largos de piel cascuda y color marron ligero y de pulpa blanca. Es una variedad con potencial para su comercializaci�n en fresco y procesada (papa frita). El tipo de tub�rcule es similar al de Russet Burbank, pero con calidad externa e interna superior. El rendimiento comerciable, formaci�n de tub�rcules y gravedad espec�fica son m�s altos que en Russet Burbank. Los tub�rculos muestran buen color de fritura cuando se procesan despu�s de almacenamiento en fr�o (7.2 C). Millennium Russet tiene un sabor suave y es menos harinoso y descolorido que Russet Burbank. La madurez qu�mica de Millennium Russet se produce casi al mismo tiempo que Russet Burbank, pero tiene niveles de sacarosa m�s bajos en los brotes y extremo del tallo. Los niveles de glucosa de Millennium Russet fueron 50% m�s bajos que los de Russet Burbank en los primeros cuatro meses de almacenamiento a 10 C. Los bajos niveles de glucosa en el extremo del tallo cuando se procesaron los tub�rculos sacados de almacenamiento, sugiere tolerancia al estr�s y baja vulnerabilidad del az�car. Millennium Russet es resistente a la sarna com�n y al anillo corchoso, moderadamente resistente a la pudrici�n seca, pudrici�n rosada y costra negra, moderadamente susceptible a la marehitez por Verticillium, marchitez bacteriana y pudrici�n morena. Millennium Russet es m�s sensible a la mancha negra por efecto de magulladura que Russet Burbank, pero m�s resistente a destrozarse cuando ha sufrido golpes. El rendimiento de tub�rculos de Millennium Russet tuvo menor respuesta a las dosis de nitr�geno comparado con Russet Burbank, pero la distribuci�n del tama�o del tub�rculo respondi� mejor al aumento de distanciamiento del surco.

Accepted for publication 1 November 2004.

ADDITIONAL KEY WORDS: Solatium tuberosum, russet variety, fresh market, french fry

INTRODUCTION

Millennium Russet (W1348rus) was derived from a cross between Atlantic and FL1154rus (Figure 1). It can be utilized for fresh market or for french fry processing. Hybridization and selection were completed at the Rhinelander Agricultural Research Station of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Atlantic (maternal) is well known for its high specific gravity and good chipping color, while FL1154rus (paternal) has moderate resistance to Verticillium wilt. The cross was made in 1988. Millennium Russet was in seedling stage in 1989, single-hill plots in 1990, 4-hill plots in 1991, 8-hill plots in 1992, 20-hill plots in 1993, 40-hill plots in 1994, and observation trials at Hancock and Rhinelander in 1995. Millennium Russet was included in replicated trials at Hancock and Rhinelander from 1996 to 1998 and in the North Central Regional Trial from 1997 to 1999. Millennium Russet was introduced into the Wisconsin seed Certification Program as W1348rus in 1998 (18.6 ha of seed was certified in year 2000).

VARIETAL DESCRIPTION

Plants

Haulm: Erect growth habit, intermediate stem type, 120-day maturity (mid-season variety similar to Russet Burbank), medium size, slow emergence, uniform canopy with fine vines (Figure 2). Full canopy closure occurs 2 to 3 wk later than Russet Burbank. Stems: medium high number (three to five per plant), branched; no anthocyanin coloration, weak stem wings. Leaves: dark green (2.5 G 5/4 Munsell Color Chart) with medium short pubescence; medium open silhouette, medium leaf stipule size. Terminal leaflets: narrowly ovate shape, acuminate tip and truncate base shape, slight margin waviness. Primary leaflets: narrowly ovate, small to medium sizes, four pairs. secondary and tertiary leaflets: four pairs. Petiole: no anthocyanin coloration.