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62 POTATO GROWER | FEBRUARY 2017 PARENTAGE • A7816 × Norking Russet KEY ATTRIBUTES • Early yield and grade, good alternative to Shepody • Outstanding culinary qualities • Resistant to external defects • Attractive appearance for fresh pack • Resistance to black spot bruise similar to Russet Burbank, better than Ranger Russet MANAGEMENT • Optimal seed piece spacing for 36-inch rows is 9 to 11 inches with a planting depth 5 to 6 inches. Blazer Russet has an intermediate number of uniformly distributed eyes. Seed piece size should range from 2 to 3 ounces. • Requires 90 to 100 percent of nitrogen required for Russet Burbank (200 to 220 pounds per acre in southeastern Idaho). However, a higher proportion of the seasonal nitrogen requirement should be applied early in the growing season to support its earlier tuber development. Typically, one-half to two-thirds of the total nitrogen requirement should be applied by row closure, with subsequent inÐseason applications made via sprinkler irrigation based on petiole nitrate concentrations. • Seasonal irrigation requirements similar to those for Russet Burbank • Resistant to water stress-related tuber defects. Available soil moisture should be maintained within the range of 65 to 80 percent STORAGE • Tuber dormancy 40 to 50 days shorter than Russet Burbank • In the absence of tuber dry rot problems, can be stored up to nine months for processing or fresh market uses. • Good resistance to metribuzin when applied at labeled rates B lazer Russet is an early maturing, dual-purpose russet with excellent processing qualities developed by the Tri-State Breeding and Research program and PVP-applied for in 2006. Russet was recently accepted by McDonald's for production of the fast-food chain's french fries (see page 52). The variety is currently grown primarily in Maine and eastern Canada. A full list of Blazer Russet seed growers can be found at www.pvmi.org. S M O R GA S B OR D THE S M O R GA S B OR D BLAZER RUSSET BLAZER RUSSET