New Dual-Purpose Potato Variety Released
March 31, 2015 
Caribou Russet; photo provided by Sutherland Weston Marketing Communications
The University of Maine (UM) and the Maine Potato Board (MPB) are now offering a new potato variety, Caribou Russet.Tested under the research identification number (AF3362-1), Caribou Russet resulted from a cross between Silverton Russet and Reeves Kingpin, according to a recent news release. Developed by the University of Maine, the new variety is a russet-skinned variety with high yields, mid-season maturity, and moderate common scab resistance. It is also resistant to golden nematode race Ro1 and is moderately resistant to Verticillium wilt.
The dual-purpose variety has good baked and mashed quality for fresh market consumption and is also expected to be useful for processing markets, the news release states.
“Potatoes are bred for a multitude of characteristics, everything from disease resistance to improved fry color,” said Tim Hobbs, director of development and grower relations for the MPB. “To get the right combination of characteristics in one variety takes a large investment in time and resources. Eventually this investment pays off. The result of the investment in Maine is the release of this new variety out of the breeding program that Dr. Greg Porter oversees at the University of Maine.”
Following along with the two varieties released last year, the Easton and Sebec, the MPB directors voted to license the Caribou Russet, which Porter named after the city in central Aroostook County.
The new variety has long tubers with lightly russeted skin and white flesh. The Caribou Russet features large plants with excellent early vigor and mid-season maturity. Caribou Russet produces very good yields and has had good fry color, especially when compared to Russet Burbank after 120 days or less. US#1 yields have averaged 130% of Russet Burbank in side-by-side trials. US#1 yields have averaged 122% those of the fresh market standard, Russet Norkotah. The variety has had very low levels of hollow heart to date (much less than Russet Burbank or Russet Norkotah). Baked scores have been good and it produces good mashed potatoes; however, boiled scores have been inconsistent.
A limited amount of early generation seed is available from the Maine Seed Potato Board and from growers in Maine. The Maine Certified Seed Potato Directory has information on commercial seed availability. The process of submitting a Plant Variety Protection (PVP) application for Caribou Russet is underway. Anyone interested in obtaining a sublicense to grow Caribou Russet should contact the Maine Potato Board.
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Source: Maine Potato Board
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