CENTENNIAL RUSSET

Characteristics



  • Shape: Oblong
  • Skin: Dark Russet
  • Flesh: White
  • Market Use: Fresh Markets
  • Medium to Late Maturing
Centennial Russet is a medium- to late-maturing, fresh market potato released in 1976 by Colorado State University (APJ 54:603-605, 1977). This cultivar has few production problems and is well suited to the SLV.

Plant/roots Vine is medium to large, upright, with lavender flowers; determinate growth habit; moderate root system.

Tubers are white fleshed, oblong to slightly flat with shallow eyes and a dark, heavy russeted skin; medium to high specific gravity (1.085).

Yield potential 350 to 450 cwt. range.

GROWING SEASON MANAGEMENT

Pre-planting considerations Tubers have a medium dormancy, with few eyes (less than 1 0) that tend to be concentrated near the bud end. Avoid cutting tubers over 8 ounces--blind seed pieces result; suggest single drop or one cut seed. Avoid warming seed at 60 F for more than one week prior to cutting, to prevent excessive sprouting. Plant this cultivar 3 to 4 inches deep in a flat topped hill or up to 6 inches deep in a peaked hill.

Fertility (soil test basis; lbs/acre)

Apply total fertilizer in the following range: N(l 80-1 90#), P(l 20-200#), K(O-1 00#). Centennial is sensitive to phosphate deficiencies and imbalances. Pre-plant incorporated N should be 90 to 100#. Early season N applications do not adversely affect the timing of tuberization. Sprinkler applied N should be in the 80 to 100# range at a rate of 20# per application, no later than July 31. Late season N applications will delay plant maturity that can increase potential tuber shatter bruise problems at harvest--under certain environmental conditions.

Irrigation Irrigation interval at the maximum ET is three days. Drought tolerance is moderate to poor due to a limited root system. "Illvater stress will affect tuber quality. Excess water can cause enlarged lenticels that remain visible throughout storage and act as entry points for disease organisms.

Pest Control

Weeds Competes well against weeds, but is sensitive to post-emergence applications of metribuzin.

Insects Psyllid injury is common and easily seen in this cultivar. Control measures generally are effective against this problems as wel@ as other insects.

Fungicides One to three applications may be necessary for the control of foliar early blight.

Tuberization/bulking Tubers are set in the middle of the hill with bulking occurring rapidly after mid-season. They may be susceptible to growth cracks and hollow heart if poor irrigation management is used. Centennial is generally resistant to second growth problems.

Vine Kill Average days from planting to vine kill is 1 1 5 to 1 20. Vine killing is required in most years. Vines are easily killed and adequate skin set occurs within eight to 1 4 days. Tubers can become large late in the season, careful monitoring is necessary after mid-August.

STORAGE MANAGEMENT

Centennial Russet is a good long-term storage potato with minimal problems. Heavy netting enables Centennial Russet to be moderately resistant to harvest bruising. Tubers are susceptible to dehydration immediately after harvest and well humidified storages are essential!

DISEASE REACTION

Overall disease problems are minimal. Virus spread is limited because of low-aphid preference. Bacterial ring rot symptoms usually are not visible until 90 days after planting, but will be intense.

Field

Foliar early blight Moderately Resistant

Verticillium wilt Moderately Resistant

Blackleg Susceptible

Seedpiece decay Moderately Susceptible

Leafroll virus Moderately Resistant

Leafroll Net necrosis Resistant

PVY Susceptible

PVX Susceptible

Common Scab Susceptible

Bacterial ring rot Susceptible

Storage

Tuber early blight Moderate

Bacterial soft rot Susceptible

Fusarium dry rot Moderately Resistant

Leak (Pythium) Susceptible

Pink rot (Phytophthora) Susceptible

Silver scurf Susceptible

Rhizoctonia scurf Moderately Resistant

Disease reaction ratings susceotible, moderately susceotible, moderate, moderately resistant and resistant.

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