Owyhee Russet: A variety with high yields of U.S. no. 1 tubers, excellent processing quality, and moderate resistance to Fusarium dry rot (Fusarium solani var. coeruleum)

Authors: YILMA, SOLOMON - Oregon State University; VALES, M. ISABEL - International Crops Research Institute For Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) - India; CHARTON, BRIAN - Oregon State University; HANE, DAN - Oregon State University; JAMES, STEVE - Oregon State University; SHOCK, CLINT - Oregon State University; MOSLEY, ALVIN - Oregon State University; CULP, DARREN - Oregon State University; FEIBERT, E - Oregon State University; LEROUX, LORIE - Oregon State University; KARAAGAC, E - Oregon State University; KNOWLES, N. RICHARD - Washington State University; PAVEK, MARK J - Washington State University; STARK, JEFF - University Of Idaho; Novy, Richard - Rich; Whitworth, Jonathan; Pavek, Joseph; Corsini, Dennis; BRANDT, TINA - University Of Idaho; OLSEN, NORA - University Of Idaho; Brown, Charles

Submitted to: American Journal of Potato Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/16/2012
Publication Date: 6/4/2012
Citation: Yilma, S., Vales, M., Charton, B.A., Hane, D.C., James, S.R., Shock, C.C., Mosley, A.R., Culp, D., Feibert, E., Leroux, L., Karaagac, E., Knowles, N., Pavek, M., Stark, J.C., Novy, R.G., Whitworth, J.L., Pavek, J.J., Corsini, D.L., Brandt, T.L., Olsen, N., Brown, C.R. 2012. Owyhee Russet: A variety with high yields of U.S. no. 1 tubers, excellent processing quality, and moderate resistance to Fusarium dry rot (Fusarium solani var. coeruleum). American Journal of Potato Research. 89:175-183.

Interpretive Summary: Owyhee Russet is a new potato cultivar notable for its high marketable yield relative to industry standard cultivars, as well as its resistances to common scab and dry rot diseases. Both diseases can cause economic losses for potato growers with difficulty in their control if environmental conditions are conducive for their expression. Owyhee Russet is notable for its cold-sweetening resistance making it an excellent candidate for use by the potato processing industry. Attractive tubers also support its use for fresh consumption as well.

Technical Abstract: Owyhee Russet (AO96160-3) originated from a cross between A89384-10 and A89512-3 in 1996. Owyhee Russet was released in 2009 by Oregon State University, in cooperation with the USDA-ARS and the Agricultural Experiment Stations of Idaho and Washington and is a product of the Northwest Potato Variety (Tri-State) Development Program. Owyhee Russet has semi-erect medium sized vines with medium to late maturity. The tubers are long, with a tan skin, medium russeting, and attractive tuber appearance for fresh market. Owyhee Russet was evaluated in several locations across the Northwest for more than 15 years. Total yield of Owyhee Russet is similar to that of Russet Burbank and Ranger Russet but significantly higher than Russet Norkotah. U.S. No.1 tuber yield of Owyhee Russet is significantly higher than Russet Burbank and Russet Norkotah, resulting in substantially higher marketable yield. Owyhee Russet tubers have significantly higher specific gravity than Russet Burbank and Russet Norkotah. Fry color following tuber storage at 4°C and 9°C is significantly lighter for Owyhee Russet than the comparison varieties. Relative strengths include high yield with a very high proportion of U.S. No.1 tubers, good tuber appearance and excellent processing quality, resistance to cold sweetening, common scab and Fusarium dry rot. Weaknesses include susceptibility to foliar and tuber late blight and susceptibility to metribuzin herbicide injury. Allelic patterns of five SSR markers have shown that Owyhee Russet has a distinctive DNA genetic fingerprint from its russet type reference varieties which are Ranger Russet, Russet Burbank, and RussetNorkotah.