Wallowa Russet: A full season long Russet for processing and fresh market

Abstract

The Agricultural Experiment Stations of Oregon, Idaho, and Washington and the U.S. Department of Agriculture jointly released Wallowa Russet in 2002. This late maturing variety is most suitable for frozen french fry use, but may find limited fresh market potential because of outstanding flavor and texture when baked. Wallowa Russet was evaluated as AO87277-6 in Oregon irrigated trials from 1993 through 1999, and in western regional trials from 1997 through 1999. Averaged over 13 locations in seven states, Wallowa Russet produced total yields of 55.6 mt/ha compared to 53.5 and 45.7 mt/ha for Russet Burbank and Russet Norkotah, respectively, and U.S. No.1 yields of 44.4 mt/ha compared to 30.7 and 36.0 mt/ha for Russet Burbank and Russet Norkotah. Specific gravity is consistently higher for Walowa Russet than for Russet Burbank and fry color is as light or lighter; sugar end development is less than that observed in Russet Burbank. Wallowa Russet is similar to Russet Burbank in susceptibility toVerticillium wilt, foliar early blight (Alternaria solani), and potato leafroll virus (PLRV). However, Wallowa Russet develops less net necrosis than Russet Burbank from PLRV infection. Wallowa Russet is more susceptible to common scab (Streptomyces scabies) than Russet Burbank. It has moderate resistance to potato virus Y (PVY). Tubers of Wallowa Russet are less susceptible to tuber infection and decay caused by potato late blight (Phytophthora infestans) than Russet Norkotah and Ranger Russet. Wallowa Russet has less hollow heart, brown center, blackspot bruise, and fewer growth cracks than Russet Burbank but is more susceptible to shatter bruise. Vitamin C is higher for Wallowa Russet (30.4 mg/100 g fresh weight) than for Russet Burbank (21.9) or Russet Norkotah (22.0), and protein content averaged 5.6% compared to 4.7% and 4.9% for Russet Burbank and Russet Norkotah, respectively.