Cultivar Corner: Constance a yellow with good uniformity, resistance to PVY
Overview
Parentage: Marabel x AR93-1243
Developers: Parkland Potato Varieties | Agrico (www.parklandseedpotatoes.com)
Strengths: Constance is a yellow-skinned, pale yellow-fleshed table potato suitable for general use. With early development after planting, this is a good early main crop variety, with oval round tubers of regular shape and shallow eyes. It produces good-sized tubers that are resistant to secondary growth, black spot and growth cracks. This variety is well suited on most soil types. With a medium dry matter of 20.2%, it eats well and retains its color after peeling. It has a buttery taste and smooth texture, making it ideal for mashing, boiling or baking.
Agronomic Characteristics
Maturity: Medium-early growing season
Tubers: Oval round with excellent uniformity of size and shape
Yield: 12-15 tubers per plant
Eye depth: Shallow
Specific gravity: 1.072 to 1.080
Diseases: Good resistance to potato virus Y (PVY), late blight (foliage blight), common scab and fusarium dry rot.
Sensitivities: Slightly sensitive to metribuzin
Secondary growth: Not susceptible
Growing recommendations: Good skin set is advised before digging. Regular nitrogen is acceptable; use higher amounts of phosphorus than normal. For best vine-killing results, use 1/2 rate. Plants should be senescing. For best results for skin set skin finish, harvest three weeks after vine kill.
Incentives for production: Constance is a desirable variety for pre-pack and fresh market A size outlets. It has excellent eating quality, produces strong yields and is resistant to several common diseases, including PVY, fusarium dry rot and common scab.
