CalWhite (Solanum tuberosum)

ORIGIN: CalWhite was selected in Idaho from a cross of Pioneer x BC8370-4. It was tested extensively by the University of California as A76147-2 and released in 1997 by the California and Idaho Experiment Stations and the USDA.

CHARACTERISTICS: CalWhite is medium maturing and produces an exceptionally high yield of oblong, white-skinned tubers. It is suitable for the long-white tablestock market and has potential for use in the frozen processing trade.

Plants are large with an upright growth habit. The stems are unpigmented with nonconscpicuous wings and slightly swollen nodes. The leaves are large, light green and rugose in appearance. Flowers are medium-sized and moderate in number. Buds are green. Corolla is white and anthers yellow.

Tubers have a smooth, white to buff colored skin that may take on a slight pink color when exposed to low intensity light. They have an oblong, slightly flattened shape. Eyes are shallow, moderate in number and widely spaced near the stem end. Dormancy is short.

STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES: CalWhite is resistant to most internal and external defects including growth cracks, second growth, shatter bruise, hollow heart and heat necrosis. It is susceptible to net necrosis caused by leafroll virus and slightly susceptible to blackspot bruise. CalWhite is susceptible to common scab, PLRV and storage soft rot. It has slight resistance to PVY and shows mild chronic symptoms that are difficult to recognize during roguing operations. CalWhite is susceptible to heat sprouts under warm soil conditions. It is also very sensitive to the herbicide metribuzin which should not be used on this variety. CalWhite produces very large tubers and plant spacing should be relatively close in order to avoid an over abundance of oversize potatoes.