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A new variety of potato ‘TSS No.6’ -Rich taste of the chips, fresh eating as well

A new variety of potato ‘TSS No.6’
-Rich taste of the chips, fresh eating as well

Potato variety ‘TSS No. 6’ of Taiwan Seed Improvement and Propagation Station, C.O.A (TSIPS) for both the table potato and the chip market is now available. Compare to old and major variety ‘Kennebec’ in Taiwan, the variety ‘TSS No. 6’ is stronger and easier to grow and also exhibit more tolerance to late blight. The productivity of ‘TSS No. 6’is pretty high with the highest yield of 40 tons per ha. The percentage of suitable shape and size for marketing could be around 73% for each ‘TSS No. 6’ production lot. The shape of tubers of ‘TSS No. 6’ are short oval, yellow skin, white flesh, and has the potential to replace the existing commercial varieties in Taiwan.

TSIPS pointed out that potatoes can be divided into fresh and processing due to their variety characteristics. The fresh market potato varieties such as ‘TSS No. 4’ and ‘TNG 1’are suitable for stir-fry or stew cooking methods. Consumers can enjoy the sweet and fresh taste after potatoes harvested from the fields. However, those varieties are rich in reducing sugar and water, so some varieties of them are not suitable for processing and limited the scope of applications. TSIPS released the new potato variety –‘TSS No. 6’ which is good to eat fresh. After stored at low temperature about 10-12℃, ‘TSS No. 6’ with low levels of reducing sugars can be processed as chips without browning during the high temperature frying. ‘TSS No. 6’ is good for both the table potato and the chip market just like the old fashion variety ‘Kennebec’ in Taiwan.

But even better than ‘Kennebec’, ‘TSS No. 6’ with great growth potential and the good trait of easy cultivation also exhibit more resistance to late blight in winter in Taiwan. Famers plant this variety could reduce the disease infection causing by rainy and wet weather in winter, crop producer's losses and cultivation difficulties. ‘TSS No. 6’ with better disease tolerance can reduce farmers' losses due to late blight and increase the yield by 48-60% compared with ‘Kennebec’ (25-27 metric tons/ha). The proportion of tubers are above 60 grams in line with the market weight standard per plant, accounting for 73%. It meets the market weight per plant

TSIPS said that potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) originated in the Andes mountain of Chile and Peru. It is classified as an annual herb plant. On Plant classification, it belong Solanaceae crop. Because it is rich in various nutrients such as starch, protein, minerals and vitamins, it has gradually become a popular agricultural crop in the world. The earliest potato in Taiwan was introduced and cultivated by the Dutch. After years of development, it had become an important winter catch crop in Taiwan. The cultivation area was about 2,000~2,500 hectares, and the annual yield was 60,000 tons. The main production areas were Taichung City, Yunlin and Chiayi County.

 

Taiwan Seed Improvement and Propagatopn Station

  • Contact person:Mr. Sheng-Chih Chang
    Tel:(04)25825460
    E-mail: james7309@tss.gov.tw
  • Contact person:Dr. Wen-Chuan Chung
    Tel:(04)25825402
    E-mail: wcchung@tss.gov.tw

Fig.1. Plants of TSS No 6. grown in the field.
Figure 1. Plants of TSS No 6. grown in the field.

Fig.2. Short oval potato tubers with yellow skin of TSS No 6.
Figure 2. Short oval potato tubers with yellow skin of TSS No 6.

Fig.3. Potato Chips for TSS No 6.
Figure 3. Potato Chips for TSS No 6.