Echo Russet: A Russet Potato Variety with a High Yield of Marketable Tubers, High Processing Quality, and Few Tuber Defects

Abstract

Echo Russet is a medium- to late-maturing selection with long, large, russeted tubers. Total yields are similar to those of Russet Burbank and Ranger Russet, however Echo Russet produced significantly greater yields than Russet Norkotah. Further, Echo Russet produced significantly higher US No. 1 yields when compared to these standard varieties (6—29% more). Echo Russet has high protein, high specific gravity, light fry color, low acrylamide level, and few internal and external tuber defects. In three years of evaluations in U.S. Western Regional Potato Variety Trials, post-harvest merit scores for fresh and processing qualities were high for Echo Russet when compared to standard varieties. Echo Russet is resistant to Fusarium dry rot, Pectobacterium (syn. Erwinia) soft rot, and common scab. Echo Russet exhibits moderate resistance to Verticillium wilt, early blight, Potato virus Y (PVY), Potato leaf roll virus (PLRV), Potato mop top virus (PMTV), and corky ring spot. The preponderance of resistances to major diseases gives Echo Russet great potential for organic production and sustainable farming systems.