This article appears in the December 2016 issue of Potato Grower.
This month’s Smorgasbord takes a look at Dakota Russet, a dual-purpose variety developed by the by the North Dakota State University Potato Breeding Program and the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station. Dakota Russet was released in 2012 and PVP-issued in 2015. Hoverson Farms and R.D. Offutt Company teamed with the NDSU Research Foundation to execute an exclusive release of the variety, through which Dakota Russet will be made available for commercial utilization.
Inquiries regarding Dakota Russet can be directed to David Parish at (214) 674-8567.
Key Attributes
- Attractive tubers
- Uniform tuber size profile
- High percentage of U.S. No. 1s
- Medium to late maturity
- Long-oblong tubers
- Light golden russet skin
- Medium specific gravity (1.085 North American average)
- Rapidly bulking tubers
- Tubers reach chemical maturity early; specific gravity levels are maintained.
- Resistant to sugar ends, cold sweetening, Verticillium wilt, pink rot, Phytophthora nicotianae and powdery scab (both root and tuber phases)
- Moderate resistance to Pythium leak
- Resistant to metribuzin when applied at labeled rates
- Nitrogen requirements about 20 percent lower than Russet Burbank
- Performs well in irrigated and non-irrigated fields
Storage
- Low sugar accumulation in storage
- Excellent fry color from storage
- Processes consistently from 45 degrees
- Suitable for fresh and processing, including fresh-cut
Production
- Over 1,000 acres of commercial production in 2016
- 72 acres of 2016 certified seed production in North Dakota