The Lethbridge Research Centre has introduced two new potato varieties, AC Glacier Chip and AC Maple Gold.
“They have the potential to displace current varieties being grown for fry, chip and the yellow flesh niche markets around the world,” said Dermot Lynch, a breeder at the centre.
AC Glacier Chip is suitable for the chip market.
“The strong features of this variety are high yield, uniform tubers, very low tuber deformities and a high gravity that means less oil absorption and crispier chips.”
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These traits make it superior to Snowden, the main chip variety in North America.
In Alberta field trials, AC Glacier Chip out-yielded Snowden by 14 to 43 percent and had a greater concentration of tubers in the hill rather than in the inter-row.
“This means greater harvest yield for producers,” said Lynch.
AC Glacier Chip can be stored at 8 C, two degrees lower than conventional temperatures. This maintains chip quality and keeps pathogen activity lower, allowing for long-term storage.
It is similar to Snowden in terms of disease, moderately resistant to early blight but moderately susceptible to common scab and verticillium wilt.
Studies indicate it should be grown with in-row spacing of 30 centimetres, and that yield responds up to 240 kilograms per hectare of nitrogen.
A second new variety, AC Maple Gold, is the first Canadian-bred yellow flesh french fry variety, giving the industry a dual-purpose variety suitable for french fry manufacture and for the fresh market niche for yellow flesh.
Yellow flesh is not a major market trend in Canada, said Lynch, but it is in demand in Pacific Rim countries and Europe. This golden yellow color will also satisfy a market niche such as gourmet restaurants.
AC Maple Gold can be harvested early, about 80 days after planting and processes well, but it can also be harvested mature and stored for long periods without suffering deterioration.
Marketable yields are similar to Russet Burbank, but tuber size is smaller. AC Maple Gold is resistant to fusarium wilt, moderately resistant to early blight, moderately susceptible to common scab and susceptible to verticillium wilt.
Management studies indicate the new variety should be grown with in-row spacing of 30 cm and yield response studies show that nitrogen concentrations up to 240 kg/ha will enhance yield while not affecting dry matter or color.
“AC Maple Gold is unique,” said Lynch. “It was bred specifically for french fry production and it will likely displace other yellow flesh varieties not bred for french fry usage.”
Both of these varieties have seed already in production. Potato Growers of Alberta have exclusive rights to AC Glacier Chip and Maple Leaf Foods has rights to AC Maple Gold.
