Features Fruit Production
New Canadian potato varieties showcased at annual variety day

On February 18, 2009, the Potato Research Centre of Agriculture and AgriFood Canada (AAFC) held its 12th Potato Selection Release Open House in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Ten new AR2009 Accelerated Release selections were made available for two years of non-exclusive evaluation.

Above: AR2009-01 (F95031 x CS7232-4) Uniform chip selection with resistance to golden nematode	AR2009-02 (ND2008-2 x CS7232-4) Uniform chip selection with bright skin.
AR2009-03 (Certa x ND0860-2) Vigourous, high yielding selection with potential for starch production.	AR2009-04 (Barbara x Rochdale Gold-Dorée) Round, purple splashed selection with yellow flesh, very good culinary quality, extreme resistance to PVY and PVX, ideal for the fresh market.
AR2009-05 (N1700-8 x AC Chaleur) High yielding, fresh market selection with purple skin and resistance to wart.	AR2009-06 (F87031 x CS7294-10) Uniform, round, fresh market selection with good appearance and resistance to golden nematode.
AR2009-07 (N1698-6 x Chieftain) High yielding, fresh market selection with red skin, good quality and resistance to PVX.	AR2009-08 (AC Red Island x Rochdale Gold-Dorée) Uniform, round, fresh market selection with good quality and resistance to PVX. May have potential in the creamer market.
R2009-09 (AC Red Island x Rochdale Gold-Dorée) Uniform, fresh market selection with good quality.	AR2009-10 (F91031 x Congo) Long selection with dark purple flesh, good culinary quality and resistance to golden nematode.

On February 18, 2009, the Potato Research Centre of Agriculture and AgriFood Canada (AAFC) held its 12th Potato Selection Release Open House in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Ten new AR2009 Accelerated Release selections were made available for two years of non-exclusive evaluation.

Through the Accelerated Release Program, the Potato Research Centre offers potato industry entrepreneurs an opportunity to evaluate first-hand, in their own field, the front runners coming out of early selection trials. The Accelerated Release Program is a mechanism to “fast track” the release of promising potato selections developed at the Potato Research Centre of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Interested companies receive a limited quantity of breeder’s seed and non-exclusive rights to conduct their own field and processing trials for two years. If sufficiently impressed with the results during this initial testing phase, interested parties can bid for three more years of exclusive testing. At the end of this second phase, or sooner, if there is still an interest, a six-year, renewable licence agreement can be negotiated with the Potato Research Centre to commercialize the variety.

This year the Research Centre showcased 10 promising varieties. Further information can be obtained from Agnes Murphy, breeder at the Research Centre, (agnes.murphy@agr.gc.ca).