Chapter 14. Potato Production
Lincoln Zotarelli, Peter J. Dittmar, Pamela D. Roberts, Johan Desaeger, Joseph W. Noling, and Bonnie Wells
Botany and Planting
Potato – Solanum tuberosum, Solanaceae.
Table 14.1. Planting information for potato.
Planting dates
North Florida Jan-Feb
Central Florida Nov-Feb
South Florida Oct-Jan
Planting information
Distance between rows (inch) 36 - 42
Distance between plants (inch) 7 - 10
Planting depth (inch) 3 - 4
Average seed piece size (oz) 2.5 - 3.0
Average seed per planted acre (lb) 2000 - 3000
Days from planting to tuber maturity 85 - 110
Cultivars
1. CHIPPING TYPES
Atlantic.
tuber size and shape, Atlantic is the standard variety for chipping from
and Verticillium wilt; resistant to pinkeye; and highly resistant to Race A of
golden nematode, virus X, and tuber net necrosis. Tubers are susceptible
to internal heat necrosis, particularly in sandy soils in warm, dry seasons.
Hollow heart in the larger diameter tubers (> 3 in) can be serious in some
Elkton. Elkton is a medium to medium-late maturing potato variety with
moderately resistant to common scab, early blight, and Verticillium wilt;
intermediate to moderately susceptible to late blight; moderately susceptible
to powdery scab; and, susceptible to potato virus Y and potato virus S.
Harley Blackwell.
netted-skin variety, resistant to internal heat necrosis, for chipping directly
Race A of golden nematode, Verticillium wilt, and late blight. It is moderately
susceptible to early blight with intermediate resistance to common scab and
some tolerance to powdery scab.
2. FRESH MARKET/TABLE TYPES
Red LaSoda. Red LaSoda is an early to medium season, red-skinned
variety that is primarily grown in the Southeastern U.S. It is harvested in the
winter months as a fresh market variety. Red LaSoda has a high yield potential
of tubers with a pink to red color. Tubers size early. Tuber eye depth
and off-shape tubers are limitations. The cultivar is susceptible to early and
late blights, scab, corky ringspot, and bacterial wilt. Red LaSoda is the top
planted red-skinned potato variety in Florida.
LaRouge. LaRouge is an early to medium maturing, red-skinned variety
that has a high tuber yield potential with tubers sizing early. Primary growing
areas are in the Southeastern U.S. The variety is grown for the fresh market
and is generally not stored. LaRouge has good scab resistance but is susceptible
to early and late blights, corky ringspot, and bacterial wilt. The deep
eyes and irregular tuber shape are the major limitations. When harvested
in southern states the relatively high yield, bright color, and good boiling
qualities make it popular for markets in the late winter.
LaChipper. LaChipper is an early to midseason variety with moderate
market white-skinned variety in Florida. Tubers are more elongated than
white. LaChipper possesses some resistance to late blight. It is moderately
susceptible to common scab. Exposure to air pollution can result in
defoliation and reduction in tuber yield. Deep eyes and irregular shape are
disadvantages on the tablestock market.
Yukon Gold. Yukon Gold has early-medium maturity, moderate yields,
mosaic, moderately resistant to leafroll virus, and susceptible to virus Y,
common scab, and air pollution. In some growing areas, hollow heart and
internal heat necrosis may be a problem. Yukon Gold retains the yellow
Goldrush. Goldrush is a medium maturing russet cultivar grown primarily
for the fresh market. Russet-skinned tubers are oblong to long and average
approximately 6-10 tubers per plant. Eyes are very shallow and well distrib-
very white and tuber dormancy is medium in duration. Goldrush has been
observed to have moderate resistance to Verticillium wilt, good resistance
to scab, moderate resistance to blackspot and some resistance to silver
scurf. It is considered susceptible to most common potato viruses and other
potato diseases, such as early blight, late blight, soft rot and Fusarium dry
rot.
Marcy
oval shape, shallow eyes, and highly textured skin. Marcy is resistant to
brown rot, common scab, and race Ro1 of the golden cyst nematode. The
variety is susceptible to PVX and PVY, hollow heat, Corky ring spot, and in-
which is not a limitation for the tablestock market.