Galena russet: A long dormancy, dual purpose potato cultivar exhibiting low asparagine, cold-sweetening resistance, and enhanced protein content

Authors: SPEAR, RHETT - University Of Idaho; Novy, Richard; Whitworth, Jonathan; STARK, JEFF - University Of Idaho; PAVEK, MARK - Washington State University; KNOWLES, RICHARD - Washington State University; KNOWLES, LISA - Washington State University; CHARLTON, BRIAN - Oregon State University; SATHUVALLI, VIYASAGER - Oregon State University; YILMA, SOLOMON - Oregon State University; THORNTON, MIKE - University Of Idaho; OLSEN, NORA - University Of Idaho; BRANT, TINA - Jr Simplot Company; WANG, YI - University Of Wisconsin

Submitted to: American Journal of Potato Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/29/2020
Publication Date: 1/3/2021
Citation: Spear, R., Novy, R.G., Whitworth, J.L., Stark, J.C., Pavek, M.J., Knowles, R., Knowles, L., Charlton, B.A., Sathuvalli, V., Yilma, S., Thornton, M., Olsen, N., Brant, T., Wang, Y. 2021. Galena russet: A long dormancy, dual purpose potato cultivar exhibiting low asparagine, cold-sweetening resistance, and enhanced protein content. American Journal of Potato Research. 98:51-63. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-020-09817-w.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-020-09817-w

Interpretive Summary: Galena Russet is a potato variety notable with high marketable yields resulting from greater resistance to external tuber defects compared to industry standard variety, Russet Burbank. Galena Russet exhibits long dormancy, cold-sweetening resistance, and higher protein content than standard varieties. In early-season trials conducted over three years in the Pacific Northwest, Galena Russet produced total and U.S. No. 1 yields similar to standard varieties. During four years of full-season trials in five western states, Galena Russet produced greater total and U.S. No. 1 yields than Russet Burbank and Ranger Russet in most locations, with specific gravities similar to Ranger Russet. Galena Russet produced light colored fries out of storage with temperatures as low as 4.4°C, demonstrating its cold sweetening resistance and low reducing sugar concentrations. Cold sweetening resistance allows for lighter colored fries late in the storage season. This is an improvement over other varieties, where conversion of starch to sugar results in a darker product. The asparagine concentration of Galena Russet tubers was 42 and 36% lower than Russet Burbank and Ranger Russet tubers, respectively, following two months of storage. Low reducing sugar and asparagine concentrations predict low acrylamide formation during processing. Galena Russet has shown greater resistance to Potato virus Y than Russet Burbank and Ranger Russet.

Technical Abstract: Galena Russet is a potato variety notable for high marketable yields resulting from greater resistance to external tuber defects compared to industry standard Russet Burbank. Galena Russet exhibits long dormancy, cold-sweetening resistance, and higher protein content than standard varieties. In early-season trials conducted over three years in the Pacific Northwest, Galena Russet produced total and U.S. No. 1 yields similar to standard varieties. During four years of full-season trials in five western states, Galena Russet Burbank and Ranger Russet in most locations, with specific gravities similar to Ranger Russet. Galena Russet produced light colored fries out of storage with temperatures as low as 4.4°C, demonstrating its cold sweetening resistance and low reducing sugar concentrations. Moreover, the asparagine concentration of Galena Russet tubers was 42 and 36% lower than Russet Burbank and Ranger Russet tubers, respectively, following two months of storage. Low reducing sugar and asparagine concentrations predict low acrylamide formation during processing. Galena Russet has shown greater resistance to PVY than Russet Burbank and Ranger Russet.