Alta Russet: An early-maturing, high-quality russet cultivar for wedge-cut french fry production

Alta Russet (Russet Nugget × Ranger Russet) is an early-maturing cultivar, with high yield and excellent processing quality (fry color and dry matter) coupled with a tuber size and shape profile ideal for the manufacture of wedge-cut french fries. In the western Canadian regional trials harvested 110 days after planting, the yield of the new cultivar was similar and the specific gravity superior to that of Russet Burbank. In multi-harvest date trials conducted under irrigated conditions in southern Alberta (Canada) the yield of Alta Russet was superior to Russet Burbank and Shepody and similar to Ranger Russet (Amisk) when harvested at 95 and 110 days after planting. The tuber specific gravity of the new cultivar was superior to Russet Burbank, Shepody, and Ranger Russet (Amisk) at 95 days after planting. At 110 days after planting tuber specific gravity was similar to Ranger Russet (Amisk), but superior to Russet Burbank and Shepody. Fry color was generally superior to Russet Burbank in the western Canadian regional trials and in the multi-harvest trials was generally similar to Russet Burbank, Shepody, and Ranger Russet (Amisk). Alta Russet produces excellent fry color out of long-term storage at 8 C and acceptable color at 6 C. External and internal defects occurred at very low levels in all trials. Alta Russet is resistant to common scab and Verticillium wilt, moderately resistant to early blight and Fusarium wilt and susceptible to Fusarium dry rot and late blight. The new cultivar shows clear symptoms when infected with bacterial ring rot.