New potato varieties are evaluated in Northern Ireland by the Plant
Testing Station, Crossnacreevy,
in conjunction with Quality Assurance Branch, in trials conducted to determine their potential for production
by local growers and use by processors and consumers. First early varieties are grown in trials situated
in the Comber area of Co Down. Maincrop and second early varieties are assessed in trials situated at
the Plant Testing Station, Crossnacreevy and the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE)
Greenmount Campus.
Three
replicates of the varieties are planted in a randomised block design, each
plot having four drills of 20 tubers per drill. The two outer drills are stored for three-four months
following harvest while the two inner drills are graded and used in quality assessment after harvest.
The trials are planted in mid-April or as soon as soil conditions are suitable. Herbicides and fungicides
are applied routinely to minimise weed problems and infection by blight.
The
trials are burned down chemically in early September and harvested three weeks later or as soon as soil
conditions are suitable. Yield and associated characteristics, storage and quality characteristics are
assessed on the harvested tubers.
Varieties are classified as Maincrop, Second
Early and First Early. Within each maturity group, varieties are divided into two groups:
- Established
varieties, commonly grown for ware in N. Ireland and varieties which have completed at least three years
in trial.
- New varieties currently in trial.
All
varieties which have completed trials are fully described and will continue to be listed in subsequent
publications as long as they are included in seed multiplication schemes in Northern Ireland and other
parts of the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland.
Details of the breeder
and the agent are provided for varieties which have completed trials and are currently in trials. Where
only one name is given, this organisation is both the breeder and the agent.
Addresses
of agents can
be viewed at
Agents and breeders.
Choice of potato varieties
is governed by
many considerations, including preference expressed by the purchaser. With the large number of new varieties
coming through the testing programme detailed information is needed before an appropriate choice for
individual circumstances can be made. This comparative information on varieties will enable growers,
merchants, pre-packers, retailers and processors to make decisions about varieties with respect to growth
and storage factors and also quality aspects.
The information presented on
these webpages is comprehensive but the experience gained with new varieties as they are grown on a
wider scale will be invaluable. Comments on all aspects of performances of varieties would therefore
be very welcome.
