Bliss Triumph Research Articles

Isozyme and plastid DNA assessment of pedigrees of nineteenth century potato cultivars

Isozyme and ctDNA RFLP patterns were determined for ten historically important potato cultivars (Solanum tuberosum ssp. tuberosuni) in order to relate and confirm their pedigrees. Isozyme polymorphism was detected at 11 of 13 loci examined, whereas only T-type cytoplasm, the predominant ctDNA of S. tuberosum ssp. tuberosum, was observed. Isozyme analysis indicated that potato cultivars previously presumed to be derived from open-pollinated berries of Garnet Chili and Early Rose were in fact the result of hybridizations. In addition, putative pedigrees of Irish Cobbler, White Rose, and Bliss Triumph were not supported. Garnet Chili, the first derivative of Rough Purple Chili, carries allozmyes at Mdh-1 and Pgm-2, which supports the Chilean origin of Rough Purple Chili. The identical ctDNA pattern among the cultivars may indicate a common maternal lineage that traces through Garnet Chili to Rough Purple Chili. The allozyme frequencies estimated from these cultivars provide a base from which subsequent introductions of Solanum species into the ssp. tuberosum gene pool can be assessed.

Populations of aphids on named varieties of Irish potatoes

Populations of the green peach aphid,Myzus persicae (Sulzer), and the potato aphid,Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas), were observed on 27 named varieties of Irish potatoes in the Yakima Valley of Washington intermittently from 1947 through 1968. The Epicure, Great Scot, and B5141-6 varieties produced relatively fewer green peach aphids than other varieties tested; Bliss Triumph and Red Pontiac produced relatively fewer potato aphids. Except for Doebay Red, the red-skinned varieties, Bliss Triumph, Red McLure, Norland, and Earnly Rose, were extremely to moderately productive of the green peach aphid. No correlation was apparent between abundance of aphids and the specific gravity or yield of tubers.

Flavor tests on potatoes grown in soil where lindane was applied to cucumbers

Five varieties of potatoes, Bliss Triumph, Cherokee, Irish Cobbler, Pontiac and Sebago were evaluated when freshly harvested and after three months’ storage at 55°F. to determine whether off-flavor effects resulted from production in fields used the previous year for growing cucumbers treated with lindane.

Comparative Effects of Catechol, Some Related Compounds, and Other Chemicals on Suberization of Cut Potato Tubers

1. This study reports the comparative effects of catechol, eight related compounds, and two other chemicals upon suberization of cut potato tubers. 2. All the ortho-dihydric phenols used except protocatechuic acid stimulated the formation of a thicker suberized layer than was found in the controls. 3. Resorcinol, a meta-dihydric phenol, inhibited suberization, apparently by its effect on tyrosinase. 4. Catechol, an ortho-dihydric phenol, was found to be the most effective compound for stimulating wound-healing actions in Bliss Triumph tubers.

Yampa, a new scab-resistant potato

The Yampa potato has shown considerable promise as a scab-resistant, good-quality, high-yielding variety. It has shown field resistance to scab, early blight, and to leaf roll and mosaic. It appears best adapted to the lighter mineral soils. It has a relatively tough skin and keeps well. Maturity is approximately 7 to 10 days later than Irish Cobbler or Bliss Triumph.

A comparison ofCorynebacterium sepedonicum inocula from resistant and susceptible potato varieties

Experiments were conducted in 1946 and 1947 to determine whether or not ring-rot bacteria,Corynebacterium sepedonicum, from resistant potato seedlings and varieties were more pathogenic than those from susceptible varieties. Bliss Triumph, Burbank, Red McClure and Teton tubers were inoculated, in all combinations, with inocula from ring-rot-infected tubers of the Bliss Triumph, Red McClure and Teton varieties. Resistant seedlings and susceptible varieties were also each used collectively as sources of inocula. Under the conditions of the experiment, the percentage of ring-rot infection and the severity of infection caused by inocula from susceptible varieties was equal to, if not greater than, that caused by inocula from resistant varieties. Plant symptoms developed much earlier in the Bliss Triumph variety than in the Burbank, Red McClure and Teton varieties. Symptoms of ring-rot were slight to absent in the latter variety. In this experiment, the conditions at the Laramie Station (7165 feet elevation) were better adapter for ring-rot symptoms in the plants than at the Torrington Station (4104 feet elevation), although the plant symptoms took a few days longer to become visible at the higher altitude than at the lower one. Microscopic examination of the slides showed that, as an average of all inoculations, far more bacteria were present in the Red McClure, Bliss Triumph and Burbank varieties than were present in the Teton variety. Furthermore, as sources of inocula, the Bliss Triumph tubers produced, on the average, relatively more bacteria in the stems of other varieties tested than either the Red McClure or Teton variety. The results of these experiments show that ring rot bacteria infecting the Teton variety and ring rot-resistant seedlings were not more pathogenic than those carried by susceptible varieties, such as the Bliss Triumph.

The reaction of Pawnee and Bliss Triumph potatoes to certain physiologic races ofActinomyces scabies

Bliss Triumph and Pawnee potatoes are commonly infected with scab in Colorado soils; but occasionally Pawnee is found to be free from scab in soils that produce a scabby crop of Bliss Triumph. This suggests that Pawnee is resistant to certain races ofActinomyces scabies that may scab Bliss Triumph severely.

Red Skin Color of Bliss Triumph Potatoes Increased by the Use of Synthetic Plant Hormones

Red Skin Color of Bliss Triumph Potatoes Increased by the Use of Synthetic Plant Hormones

Red Skin Color of Bliss Triumph Potatoes Increased by the Use of Synthetic Plant Hormones

Red Skin Color of Bliss Triumph Potatoes Increased by the Use of Synthetic Plant Hormones

Red Skin Color of Bliss Triumph Potatoes Increased by the Use of Synthetic Plant Hormones

Red Skin Color of Bliss Triumph Potatoes Increased by the Use of Synthetic Plant Hormones

The effect of chemical vine killers on yield and quality of red McClure and Bliss Triumph potatoes

Chemical potato vine killers were tested at The Colorado Potato Station on Bliss Triumph potatoes and at the San Luis Valley Branch Station on Red McClure potatoes in 1946 and 1947. In 1946 at the Colorado Potato Station there was almost significantly more stem-end discoloration in tubers from the untreated check than in those from the treated plots. At the San Luis Valley Branch Station the same year there was significantly more stem-end discoloration in the tubers from the chemically treated plots than in those from the untreated check. The 1947 results at the Colorado Potato Station were inconclusive due to a killing frost just two days after the chemical vine killers were applied. The results at the San Luis Valley Branch Station in 1947 indicate: (1) that when the tubers were harvested, about two weeks before harvesting the untreated check, a significant decrease in yield of tubers more than two inches in diameter resulted; (2) that killing the vines prematurely resulted in a lower specific gravity; and (3) that tuber color faded with maturity. Killing the vines with a vine killer about two weeks ahead of the first killing frost did not decrease the amount of tubers which were more than two inches in diameter. None of the vine killers used in 1947 caused a significant increase in the amount of stem-end discoloration.

Steam sterilization to kill potato ring-rot bacteria on burlap bags

Tests were made in 1945 and 1946 to determine how much sterilization was necessary to rid burlap bags, 100-pound size, of ring-rot bacteria. Both 10 and 40-bag lots were tested at 5 and 10-pound pressures for periods from 5 to 45 minutes. In each case a contaminated burlap cloth was placed inside each roll and after sterilization it was used to inoculate cut surfaces of Bliss Triumph potatoes. These were planted later in field plots and the subsequent plants observed for ring rot. The results indicated that the minimum requirements for thorough sterilization of 10 and 40-sack lots are as follows: 10 bags (loosely rolled) at 5 pounds pressure—20–30 minutes. 10 bags (loosely rolled) at 10 pounds pressure—20 minutes. 40 bags (tightly rolled) at 5 pounds pressure—30 minutes. 40 bags (tightly rolled) at 10 pounds pressure—20 minutes.

Aphid resistance in potatoes

The foregoing report on aphid resistance in potatoes considers the problem in the following manner: 1. Reference is made to previous studies on insect resistance in plants which have some bearing on aphid resistance in theSolanum genus. 2. The procedure and results of experiments carried on over the period of 1939–'45 to test aphid reactions critically in approximately 20 varieties ofSolanum tuberosum and 5 otherSolanum species, and generally in 90 other varieties, are described. The test aphids in all cases were of the speciesMyzus persicae Sulzer. Reactions have been classed as “very susceptible” (typically S. #41,956, Katahdin), “susceptible” (typically Bliss Triumph, Irish Cobbler, Sebago, Pontiac, Chippewa), “tolerant” (typically Green Mountain, President, Warba, Arran Vic-Solanum chacoense), and “very resistant” (Fredericton Sdlg. #996-1-4 Houma, Earlaine, Sequoia,Solanum demissum, Solanum Commersonii, Solanum chacoense), and “very resistant” (Fredericton Sdlg. #996-1-4 andSolanum polyadenium). 3. A discussion notes that potato varieties and species differ materially in their reactions to the feeding of aphid populations. Consideration is given to the possibilities of breeding potatoes resistant to aphid populations, both for the entomological and pathological value. A similarity between results obtained in leafhopper resistance studies and those found in aphid studies is noted. 4. Tables, graphs and figures are utilized wherever possible for clarity.

Results of potato variety tests at Hastings, Florida

The three new potato varieties, Sebago, Sequoia and Pontiac which have proved to be more resistant to freezing injury in the early stages of growth and more drought resistant than eleven other varieties, have produced the best yields in test plots at Hastings, Florida, during the past 7 years. Sebago and Pontiac yielded about one-third more U. S. No. I tubers per acre than Katahdin whereas Sequoia exceeded the yield of the latter by 50 per cent. Within the past 7 years, Sebago and Katahdin have supplanted the old standard variety, Spaulding Rose, and have become the leading varieties at Hastings. During the past season 65 per cent of the acreage was planted to Sebago and 28 per cent to Katahdin. Pontiac probably will never be grown very extensively in the Hastings Section since white-skinned varieties have always been the leading ones grown there, and markets have been developed for Hastings-grown potatoes of that color. However, Pontiac may replace Bliss Triumph and become a leading red variety in other potato-growing sections of the state. The color, shape and uniformity of the tubers of any variety generally determine its salability. If the Sequoia is not discriminated against because of the russet patches on the skin of the tubers and the slight variations in the shape of the tubers, it should soon become the leading variety at Hastings because of its superior yielding ability.

The determination of virus infections in the potato tuber by the use of ultraviolet light

Potatoes of the Bliss Triumph variety were segregated into classes on the basis of the intensity, color, and location of the fluorescence of the tuber when cut surfaces were exposed to ultraviolet light.

Breeding a potato resistant to the potato leafhopper

A number of progenies segregated for various degrees of resistance and of tolerance to the potato leafhopper. Of 14 progenies tested three showed a small but significant positive correlation, and one showed a negative correlation between resistance to late blight and resistance to attack by the potato leaf-hopper. Nymphal populations were significantly larger on some seedlings than on others. Correlations calculated between nymphal populations in 1938 and 1939 on 5 progenies did not reach the 5 per cent level of significance. The correlations between nymphal populations and the degrees of hopperburn, with one exception, were not significant. This fact indicates that the variations between seedlings as to the amount of hopperburn were not because of differences in leafhopper populations. The analysis of the 1940 data shows that there were highly significant differences between the varieties and seedlings in nymphal populations and in the amount of hopperburn. Sebago, Sequoia, Katahdin, Rural New Yorker No. 2, and 61 numbered seedlings were significantly more resistant to the potato leafhopper than Irish Cobbler, Warba, Red Warba, Bliss Triumph, Earlaine, and Pontiac. A number of the seedlings were much more resistant and some were more tolerant to attack by the potato leafhopper than were any of the old commercial varieties.

Transmission of California aster yellows to potato byCicadula divisa

Abstract does not appear. First page follows. Introduction Kunkel(1) failed to transmit New York aster yellows to potato (Solanum tuberosum) by means of the insect vector, Cicadula divisa Uhl. [C. sexnotata (Fall.)]. The following varieties of potatoes were either immune or highly resistant to the aster-yellows disease: Irish Cobbler, Green Mountain, Bliss Triumph, and Spaulding Rose. An investigation was undertaken to determine whether potato plants could be experimentally infected with California aster yellows. A study of the symptoms and incubation period of the disease in the plant was made. Attempts were made to recover the virus from infected plants by means of previously noninfective leafhoppers. Trips were made to tie potato fields in the delta districts of the San Joaquin Valley to determine whether this virus disease occurs under natural conditions, and observations were made on the relative abundance of the leafhopper on potato plants during the season. Methods The varieties of potatoes used were Bliss Triumph, White Rose, and potatoes grown from seeds. The potatoes were grown in 12-inch flower pots or in large wooden pickle tubs filled with peat soil. The potato plants were enclosed in large cages and inoculated with yellows by 20 to 40 infective leafhoppers. Males were used rather than females so as to avoid egg deposition. The insects inoculated the plants during a period of 1 to 10 days and then the cages containing the males were removed from the plants. The inoculated plants were fumigated with Nico-Fume tobacco-paper insecticide after inoculation and were kept in

Potato Seed Requirements for Southern Growers

As a means of improving the various sources of certified Bliss Triumph seed potatoes quite generally used in the general Southern states, I would suggest: 1. The testing of the strains, being recommended by the various certification authorities for certification in their home states, at some central point in the South, by a disinterested party, such as the Federal Substation at Houma, Louisiana. 2. A further effort of coordination on specifications on the part of the certification officials and supervising inspectors by sectional group meetings and inspection tours be made for the study of disease and plant chara&er in the states producing Bliss Triumphs or other seed potatoes. 3. The encouragement of a uniform seed law prohibiting the use of the word "certified" on other than state inspected seed.

TOBACCO WITCHES' BROOM. A PRELIMINARY REPORT

While transmitting potato witches' broom to several varieties of potatoes, attempts were made to transmit this disease to Lycopersicum, Physalis, and Nicotiana. Witches' broom of potato and tomato have been described by Young and Morris.2 No symptoms appeared in the cultivated Physalis plants that were grafted to transmit witches' broom to them. Prominent symptoms of a distinct disease appeared in tobacco, which are described in the present paper. Normal stems of White Flowering tobacco plants were inarch-grafted on witches'-broom stems of Bliss Triumph, Burbank, and Six-Weeks potatoes, and on stems of Earliana and Bonny Best tomatoes having witches' broom. The various plants were kept in separate pots, and were often sprayed and fumigated to control insects. One of these tobacco plants grafted on an Earliana tomato with witches' broom showed several spindly little branches at the base of the tobacco stem about two months after grafting. Thirteen of these sprouts appeared within 83 days after grafting. Numerous slender axillary branches also developed, bearing greatly dwarfed leaves. The new leaves on the main stems were abnormally small. Many of them showed marginal flavescence,3 and most of them were entirely flavescent. This tobacco plant soon bloomed profusely, but the flowers were only half as long and thick as normal tobacco flowers of this variety (P1. XXI, fig. D). Later, rosettes of little leaves only I to 2 cm. long appeared on the stems. Many leaves turned white, with green veins and necrotic brown spots. This group of symptoms clearly distinguished this plant from 50 normal White Flowering tobacco plants that were successively observed during three years. The marginal flavescence of the leaves, and the abnormally numerous, spindling, axillary and basal branches were clear symptoms of a distinct disease.