Potato Grower

T his month the Smorgasbord takes a look at Pomerelle Russet, an early-maturing fresh variety showing promise—at least in early trials—out of short- or mid-term storage for the fry processing market. However, its primary use appears to be as a high-quality, early fresh variety. We appreciate our friends at the Potato Variety Management Institute for this information on Pomerelle Russet. S M O R GA S B OR D THE S M O R GA S B OR D POMERELLE RUSSET POMERELLE RUSSET T early-maturing fresh variety showing promise—at least in early early-maturing fresh variety showing promise—at least in early early-maturing fresh variety showing promise—at least in early early-maturing fresh variety showing promise—at least in early trials—out of short- or mid-term storage trials—out of short- or mid-term storage trials—out of short- or mid-term storage trials—out of short- or mid-term storage for the fry processing market. However, for the fry processing market. However, for the fry processing market. However, for the fry processing market. However, its primary use appears to be as a its primary use appears to be as a its primary use appears to be as a its primary use appears to be as a high-quality, early fresh variety. high-quality, early fresh variety. high-quality, early fresh variety. We appreciate our friends at the Potato Variety Management Institute for this information on Pomerelle Russet. TRAITS • Moderately high early-season yields • Attractive, smooth, oblong-long tubers with brown-russeted skin • Moderately long tuber dormancy, about 30 days shorter than Burbank • Maintains acceptable fry color 180 to 200 days in storage at 48 degrees • Moderate specific gravity STRENGTHS • High percentage of U.S. No. 1s • Greater resistance to soft rot, corky ringspot, potato mop-top virus and tuber infections from late blight relative to Burbank and Norkotah • Resistances to internal and external defects • Lower total glycoalkaloid concentrations and higher protein and vitamin C concentrations than Ranger and Burbank • Resistance to sugar ends • High protein and vitamin C concentrations • Less susceptible to growth cracks, second growth, shatter bruise and hollow heart than Burbank; similar to Ranger and Norkotah • Dry rot resistance similar to Norkotah; more resistant than Burbank • Significantly lower susceptibility to Fusarium dry rot in storage than Burbank WEAKNESSES • Slightly lower yields than industry standard varieties • Susceptible to early dying, PVY, potato leafroll virus and foliar late blight Information on seed availability for Pomerelle Russet is available from the Potato Variety Management Institute at www.pvmi.org. 38 POTATO GROWER | SEPTEMBER 2016

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