The British Potato Variety Database

BPVD logoThe British Potato Variety Database  
 



The following varieties are freely available

Sources of GB seed potatoes of these varieties can be found by clicking on
the national flags on each variety description page.

Freely available varieties

Variety   Marketing qualities

Arran Banner

This second early variety was bred by Donald McKelvie and first marketed around 1927. Arran Banner produces a moderate yield of round, white-skinned tubers with white flesh. Tests show suseptibility to potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis Ro1 and potato cyst nematode Globodera pallida Pa 2/3,1.


Arran Comet

Long oval, white tubers with white to cream flesh. Short dormancy. High yields and early bulking. Susceptible to virus Y, spraing (TRV). Medium dry matter. Through tests has shown susceptibility to Dry rot fusarium coeruleum , late blight on both foliage and tubers, potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis , potato cyst nematode Globodera pallida and potato virus Yo.


Arran Pilot

Trials have found good resistance to common scab.  This variety has low resistance to dry rot fusarium coeruleum , late blight on foliage, late blight on tubers and potato virus Yo. Tests show good resistance to common scab.


Arran Victory

Arran Victory is a tall, late maincrop variety first marketed in 1918 and bred by Donald McKelvie. It produces a moderately high yield of oval, blue-skinned tubers with white floury flesh. Susceptibility to potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis Ro1 and potato cyst nematode Globodera pallida Pa 2/3,1.


Asparges

Asparges susceptible to late blight on foliage and tubers. Tests for resistance to potato cyst nematode demonstrated susceptibility to both potato cyst nematodeGlobodera rostochiensis Ro1 and potato cyst nematode Globodera pallida Pa 2/3, 1.


Atlantic

Suitable for processing – crisps. Oval, yellow tubers with cream flesh. Moderate yields with low outgrade levels, mainly mechanical damage and greens, high dry matter. Susceptible to splitting, bruising, late blight on foliage and tubers, potato virus Yo, potato cyst nematode Globodera pallida Ps2/3,1, gangrene, virus Y and spraing. Resistant to potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis Ro1.


Ballydoon

Ballydoon is a early variety first marketed around 1931. It was bred in Ayrshire by Mr John Watson. It produces a moderate yield of oval, white-skinned tubers with a white flesh. Shows low resistance to potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis Ro1 and potato cyst nematode Globodera pallida Pa2/3,1.


Belle De Fontenay

Belle de Fontenay is an old French salad variety from around 1885. It is a maincrop producing long, yellow-skinned tubers with light yellow flesh. Tubers are waxy with a fine taste. Susceptible to potato cyst nematodes Globodera rostochiensis Ro1 and Globodera pallida Pa2/3,1.


British Queen

British Queen was bred by the Scottish breeder Archibald Finlay in Lincolnshire and first marketed in 1894. The variety is still popular in Ireland where it is sold as 'Queens'. British Queen is second early variety producing a moderate to high yield of white-skinned, oval tubers with a white, floury flesh. Low resistance to potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis Ro1 and potato cyst nematode Globodera pallida Pa2/3,1.


Catriona

A second early variety bred by Scottish breeder Archibald Findlay in Lincolnshire and first marketed in 1920. Catriona produces a moderate yield of long oval, parti-coloured blue tubers with a light yellow flesh. It has excellent flavour and cooking qualities. Susceptible to potato cyst nematode Globodera rotochiensis Ro1 and Globodera pallida Pa2/3,1.


Charlotte

Second early maturity, producing moderate yields of uniform, smooth skinned tubers. . Medium dry matter, waxy cooked texture. Susceptible to late blight on foliage, potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis and Globodera pallida . Tests show resistance to Blackleg.


Desiree

Maincrop maturity, with high yields and early bulking. Medium dry matter, firm cooked texture, good boiling, fresh French fry and mashing quality. High resistance to drought and good resistance to potato virus Yo and powdery scab. Susceptible to potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis Ro1 and Globodera pallida Pa2/3,1, and mis-shapes on heavy soils. Moderately susceptible to spraing and mild mosaic viruses.


Duke Of York

  This variety has low resistance to late blight on foliage, late blight on tubers, common scab, potato leafroll virus and potato virus Yo .


Dunbar Rover

A second early variety bred in Scotland and first marketed in 1936. Dunbar Rover produces a moderate yield of oval, white-skinned tubers with a white, floury flesh. This variety has susceptibility to potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis and globodera pallida pa 2/3,1.


Dunbar Standard

A late maincrop bred by Mr C. Spence in Scotland and first marketed in 1936. Dunbar Standard produces a high yield of bold, long oval, white-skinned tubers with a cream flesh. Dunbar Standard is a tall, upright vigorous plant. Susceptibility to potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis and Globodera pallida .


Dundrod

Tubers have good resistance to bruising and splitting.  Trials have found good resistance to potato virus Yo.  This variety is susceptible to late blight on foliage and tubers.  Tests for resistance to potato cyst nematode demonstrated resistance to Globodera rostochiensis Ro1 and susceptibility to Globodera pallida Pa 2/3, 1.


Dunluce

Dunluce is a first early variety bred in Northern Ireland by John Clarke and produces a moderate yield of round to oval, white-skinned tubers with a creamy, waxy flesh. Tests show susceptibility to potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis Ro1 and Globodera pallida Ps2/3,1.


Edzell Blue

An old variety first marketed in early 1900s. Edzell Blue is a second early variety producing a moderate yield of blue-skinned tubers with a white, floury flesh. Tests show low resistance to potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis Ro1 and Globodera pallida Pa2/3,1


Epicure

Epicure is the original 'Ayrshire' early potato and was bred by James Clark in England. It is a first early variety producing a good yield of round, white-skinned tubers with deep eyes and a white, floury flesh. It is known for its resistance to withstand frost damage to foliage. Tests show low resistance to potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis Ro1 and Globodera pallida Pa2/3,1


Foremost

  This variety has low resistance to late blight on foliage, late blight on tubers, common scab, potato leafroll virus and potato virus Yo.


Golden Wonder

Trials have found good resistance to dry rot, skin spot and common scab.  This variety has low resistance to potato leafroll virus and potato virus Yo


Hermes

Maincrop maturity, high yields, low tuber numbers and long dormancy.High dry matter and good fry colour. Susceptible to late blight on foliage, potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis and potato cyst nematode Globodera pallida . Tests show resistance to Powdery scab, potato leafroll virus, potato virus Yo and splitting.


Home Guard

Short oval tubers with white to cream flesh. Short dormancy. Susceptible to drought. Moderate to low yields. Susceptible to tuber blight and late blight on foliage, potato cyst nematode GLobodera rostochiensis Globodera pallida Pa2/3,1. Good resistance to Bruising, Splitting, skin spor, Dry rot Fusarium coeruleum powdery scab and spraing (TRV). Medium to high dry matter. Tendency to discolour after cooking.


International Kidney

This variety has low resistance to late blight on foliage and late blight on tubers.


Jaerla

No information yet ....


King Edward


Majestic

An early maincrop variety bred by Archibald Findlay in Lincolnshire and first marketed in 1911. Majestic produces high yields of of long oval, white-skinned tubers with a white, waxy flesh. Eyes are moderately deep and tubers may be prone to growth cracking. Tests show susceptibility to late blight on foliage, Blackleg, potato virus Yo, potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis Ro1 and Globodera pallida Pa2/3,1.


Maris Bard

First early maturity, high yielding and early bulking. Good resistance to, gangrene, drought, damage and bruising. Moderately susceptible to spraing, powdery scab and susceptible to potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis Ro1 and Globodera pallida Pa2/3,1. Medium dry matter with good boiling and frying quality.


Maris Peer

Second early maturity producing moderate yields of very uniform sample. Good resistance to powdery scab, gangrene, damage, bruising and skin spot. Moderately susceptible to drought, potato virus Yo, spraing and slug damage. Susceptible to potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis Ro1 and Globodera pallida Pa2/3,1. Medium/low dry matter, firm cooked texture, good boiling quality.


Maris Piper


Milva

No information yet ....


Pentland Crown

Suitable for pre-pack and general ware. Oval white tubers with white to cream flesh. High yields with moderate outgrade levels, mainly mechanical damage, misshapen tubers, greens and outgrowth cracks. Susceptible to foliage blight and spraing. Resistant to blackleg, common scab, leaf roll virus and virus Yo. Susceptible to potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis Ro1 and Globodera pallida Pa2/3,1. Medium to high dry matter.


Pentland Dell

Maincrop maturity producing high yields, long dormancy. Good resistance to mild mosaic viruses, powdery scab and slugs. Susceptible to potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis , Globodera pallida and spraing. Moderately high dry matter with a tendency to disintegrate after boiling.


Pentland Ivory

Trials have found good resistance to potato virus Yo and dry rot Fusarium coeruleum .


Pentland Javelin

First early maturity, high yielding but tendency to bulk late. High resistance to potato virus Yo and good resistance to splitting and bruising. Resistant to potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis Ro1. Moderately susceptible to tuber blight and spraing. Medium to low dry matter with firm cooked texture and good boiling quality.


Pentland Squire


Pink Fir Apple

A late maincrop salad variety first marketed in 1850. Pink Fir Apple produces long, knobbly, pink-skinned tubers with creamy, firm, waxy flesh. Well known for its excellent taste. Susceptible to potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis Ro1 and Globodera pallida Pa2/3,1.


Ranger Russet

Ranger Russet was bred in Idaho, USA for the french fry market.  Trials have found good resistance to blackleg.  This variety has low resistance to powdery scab, late blight on tubers and foliage.  Tests for resistance to potato cyst nematode demonstrated susceptibility to both Globodera rostochiensis Ro1 and Globodera pallida Pa 2/3, 1.


Record

Maincrop. Suitable for processing – crisps. Oval yellow-skinned tubers with light yellow flesh. Moderate yields with low outgrade levels, mainly misshapen tubers and growth cracks. Susceptible to blackleg, virus Yo, potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis Ro1 and Globodera pallida Pa2/3,1. . Good resistance to powdery scab, splitting and spraing (TRV). High dry matter.


Red Duke Of York

  This variety has low resistance to late blight on foliage, late blight on tubers, common scab, potato leafroll virus and potato virus Yo .


Roseval

An early maincrop salad variety bred in France and first marketed in UK in 1950. Roseval produces long oval tubers with a deep red skin and a medium yellow, waxy flesh.


Royal Kidney

Trials have found good resistance to common scab. This variety has low resistance to late blight on foliage, late blight on tubers, potato leafroll virus and potato virus Yo.


Russet Burbank

Maincrop maturity with moderate yields. High resistance to common scab. Susceptible to potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis Ro1 and Globodera pallida Pa2/3,1, drought with a tendency to produce misshapen tubers when moisture stress occurs. Susceptible to tuber blight, foliage blight, mild mosaic virus, potato leaf roll virus and internal rust spot. Medium to high dry matter with good fry colour.


Saturna

Late maincrop maturity producing low yields of small tubers. High resistance to common scab and good resistance to spraing and mild mosaic virus. Resistant to potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis Ro1. Susceptible to drought. High dry matter with a good fry colour. Suitable for long term storage.


Sharpe's Express

This variety has low resistance to dry rot, late blight on foliage and late blight on tubers. Susceptible to dry rot Fusarium coeruleum , late blight on foliage and tubers, skin spot, potato leafroll virus and potato virus Yo.


Ulster Chieftain

This variety has low resistance to dry rot (Fusarium coeruleum), late blight on foliage and late blight on tubers, skin spot, common scab and potato leafroll virus.


Ulster Prince

This variety has low resistance to late blight on foliage and late blight on tubers, dry rot Fusarium coeruleum , potato leafroll virus and potato virus Yo.


Ulster Sceptre

Long oval, white tubers with cream flesh. Short dormancy and early foliage maturity. Moderate yields. Susceptible to gangrene, virus Yo and spraing. Seed must be handled with care to avoid mechanical damage. Low to medium dry matter. When tested for resistance to potato cyst nematode, this variety has susceptibility to Globodera rostochiensis Ro1 and Globodera pallida Pa2/3,1.


Up-to-date

Susceptible to late blight on foliage and tubers, common scab, potato leafroll virus and potato virus Yo. Tests for resistance to potato cyst nematode demonstrated susceptibility to both Globodera rostochiensis Ro1 and Globodera pallida Pa 2/3, 1.


Vanessa

No information yet ....


Yukon Gold

Second early maturity. Good resistance to potato virus Yo. Susceptible to late blight on foliage and tubers, gangrene, spraing, bruising and splitting. Susceptible to potato cyst nematode Globodera pallida Pa2/3,1 and Globodera rostochiensis Ro1. Medium high dry matter.