Performance of Fifty-Five Potato Varieties in Alaska's Matanuska Valley.

Abstract

This bulletin reports the results of potato variety trials conducted at the Matanuska Experiment Station during 1948, 1949, 1950, and 1951. They were conducted for the purpose of determining the value of the more common commercial seedlings, for culture in Alaska or for use as parental material in potato breeding. The publication of the results of these tests has been unavoidably delayed. They are being published now, however, because the information they contain is as pertinent as it was at the time the tests were conducted and of as great value to growers, potato buyers and other research workers. Arctic Seedling was at that time - and still is - the most commonly grown variety in Alaska. Several serious defects detract from its popularity with the public, with buyers and with growers. It is late maturing and frequently fails to mature its tubers in certain growing areas. Its large tops interfere with cultural and harvesting operations and the thin skin of the tubers feathers badly in handling. When grown on some soils, at least, the flesh of the tubers tends to darken on cooking.