Crop Watch News Traits and Genetics
Update on Ontario potato variety trials

Most of Ontario’s potato crop due for long-term storage is nearing the finish line. According to the latest crop update from Eugenia Banks, potato specialist with the Ontario Potato Board, top-killing will be the “order of the day” for growers starting September 1.

As the season nears the end, recent rains have helped tuber bulking in most areas across the province. However, the rain missed the Waterdown, Ont. area, an occurrence Banks says has been happening all summer long.

Variety trials

Banks shares that on August 26 she visited a field that planted the chipping variety SP 327. This variety was developed by Peter Vander Zaag, an Ontario potato breeder, grower and distinguished global research scientist. SP 327, where “SP” stands for Sunrise Potato – Vander Zaag’s operation, had even tuber set and size. Banks adds that the variety also displayed healthy and vigorous vines, alongside “excellent” frying quality. The field was planted in early June and is still growing.

Banks also stopped at Tupling Farms in Melancthon, Ont. to test dig La Belle Russet, a dual purpose variety that was topkilled two days prior. Banks attributes its success partially to the farm’s effort to maintain its 4.5 per cent organic matter in the soil.

La Belle is a medium-early russet and its profile, according to Banks, indicates that La Belle “maintains acceptable reducing sugar concentrations and fry quality directly from the field and when stored at up to nine months at 9 C.” Quebec’s Laurentian Potatoes, also known as Pommes de Terre Laurentiennes, has the rights to market La Belle Russet in Canada.

La Belle is a medium-early russet. Photo courtesy of Eugenia Banks.

Over the summer, Eugenia Banks has been conducting several on-farm variety trials for Russets, whites, yellows, among other potatoes. The trial consists of 40 new varieties from several companies including Alberta’s Solanum International, Manitoba’s Parkland Seed Potatoes, P.E.I.’s HZPC Americas Corp and Quebec’s La Patate Lac St. Jean and Pommes de Terre Laurentiennes. Many of the potato varieties have coded numbers and not the final name. Banks says that depending on how these varieties perform in the field, they can be dropped or eventually get registration.

Most of the maintenance of the plot is done by the grower. The data obtained during the growing season ranges from observations during the season on emergence, maturity, and disease susceptibility. Data is also recorded on yield, specific gravity and harvest experiences. Banks says that information obtained from the variety trials will be available at the annual general meeting of the Ontario Potato Board.