RUSSET BURBANK

Russet Burbank is actually a selection made from the original "Burbank" potato by a Colorado grower named Sweet in 1914 near Denver, Colorado. It is a late maturing russet potato cultivar considered multi use and suitable for both the fresh market and processing. It is the most widely grown cultivar in the Western states. It is considered excellent for baking and makes high quality fries. Russet Burbank is fast emerging with a medium to large upright, spreading vine, white flowers and a moderate, spreading root system. Tubers are white fleshed, long, round to blocky with a light to medium russet skin. Eyes are numerous, shallow and well distributed. Yields are high, in the 400 to 500 cwt. range, and tubers have high specific gravity (1.091). It has a medium Vitamin C content (16.9mg/100 FWB). Russet Burbank has an indeterminate growth habit.

GROWING SEASON MANAGEMENT

Pre-planting considerations: Tubers have a long dormancy. Planting either single drop or cut seed is acceptable. Excessive warming of seed prior to planting should be avoided as rapid sprouting and physiological aging may reduce stands and yields., Seed Piece depth should be 2-4" with a good hill cover.

Fertility: Total fertilizer applied during the growing season should be in the following range based on soil analysis,: N(180-220), P(120-260),K(0-60),S(40). Pre-plant incorporated N should be from 70-90#. Sprinkler applied N should be in the 80-130# range at I a rate of 20# per application. Applications should end at least one month prior to estimated vine kill to promote plant maturity. Performance in alkali soil is good.

Irrigation: Irrigation interval at the maximum ET is three days. Drought tolerance is poor. Monitor soil moisture carefully. Early season moisture stress is conducive to production of long, misshapen tubers. The cultivar is also susceptible to tuber dehydration from late season water stress, which will increase black spot and bruising at harvest.

Pest Control: Competition against weeds is good. Russet Burbank is not sensitive to any of the major herbicides. Standard insect control measures are generally effective. Control of foliar early blight usually requires two to five fungicide applications.

Tuber Development: Tuber set is heavy and occurs in the middle of the hill. Tuberization occurs early and tubers bulk at a moderate rate until late in the season. Tubers are moderately resistant to shatter, bruise, moderately susceptible to growth cracks and hollow heart, but susceptible to black spot and second growth.

Vine Kill: Average days from planting to vine kill are 120+. Vine killing is required in most years. Vines can be difficult to kill if foliage immaturity persists to the end of the growing season. Adequate skin set occurs within 14-21 days.

STORAGE MANAGEMENT

Russet Burbank is a good long term storage potato with few problems. Extended dormancy results in minimum sprouting problems. Black spot can be a serious problem! Early blight tuber decay may be prevalent if skinning occurs at harvest due to immature tubers.

DISEASE REACTION

This cultivar can express intense, early foliar symptoms of bacterial ring rot. Typical early dwarf symptoms can occur within 75, .days after planting. Virus symptom expression is excellent.

Field:

Foliar early blight Moderately Susceptible

Verticillium wilt Moderately Susceptible

Blackleg Moderately Susceptible

Seed piece decay Moderately Susceptible

Leafroll virus. Susceptible

Leafroll Net necrosis Susceptible

PVY Susceptible

PVX Susceptible

Common Scab Resistant

Bacterial ring rot Susceptible

Storage

Tuber early blight Moderately Resistant

Bacterial soft rot Moderately Susceptible

Fusarium dry rot Susceptible

Leak (Pythium) Moderately Susceptible

Pink rot (Phytophthora) Moderately Susceptible

Silver scurf Susceptible

Rhizoctonia scurf Moderately Susceptible

Disease reaction ratings = susceptible, moderately susceptible, moderate, moderately resistant and resistant.

Note: This information should only be used as a guide. Adjustments for local conditions must always be made.