Red-skinned, fresh-market potato varieties for Northeastern Florida production

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is an important agricultural crop for Florida. From 1996 to 2000, the winter and spring potato crop was grown on an average of 15,782.7 ha (39,000 acres) and valued at $117 million. Variety evaluation and selection is an important tool to improve production efficiency and increase the competitiveness of Florida growers. A red-skinned potato variety evaluation was conducted in northeastern Florida in 2002. The experimental design was a 4 (site) x 5 (variety) factorial with four replications at each site. The four sites were the University of Florida's Plant Science Research and Extension Unit and three local commercial farms. Potato varieties in the trial were 'Red LaSoda', 'LaRouge', B0984-1, B1145-2, and B1758-3. Marketable tuber yields were 36.3, 35.6, 30.2, 20.3, and 21.4 t.ha(-1) (324, 318, 269, 181, and 191 cwt/acre) respectively, with tuber yields of the two named varieties significantly higher than the numbered entries. Specific gravity ranged from 1.060 ('Red LaSoda') to 1.070 (B0984-1). There were no significant differences among entries for total cull weight or the incidence of hollow heart, brown rot, or corky ringspot. However, a higher percentage of B0984-1 tubers showed symptoms of internal heat necrosis than all other varieties. Potato varieties ranked from lowest to highest in overall appearance were 'LaRouge', 'Red LaSoda', B1758-3, B0984-1, and B1145-2. Higher appearance ratings in the numbered entries were attributed to darkerred skin color, rounder tuber shape, and shallower eyes compared to 'Red LaSoda' and 'LaRouge'. 'Red LaSoda' and 'LaRouge' will continue to be recommended as the standard redskinned potato varieties for Florida. However, B0984-1 and B1145-2 had desirable characteristics and should be planted in larger plantings to further evaluate quality and production characteristics.