Superior potato facts for kids

The Superior potato is a popular type of potato. It has white skin and white flesh. This potato is ready to harvest in the middle of the growing season.

Scientists at the University of Wisconsin created the Superior potato. They first released it in 1962. This potato is not protected by special plant rules. It was first grown in 1951 from two parent potatoes, 'B96-56' and 'M59.44'. The 'B96-56' potato was also a parent of another well-known potato called Kennebec. The Superior potato is often grown to make potato chips. It gives a lot of potatoes, which is good for farmers.

What Makes Superior Potatoes Special?

Superior potatoes have some unique features that make them easy to recognize.

How the Plant Looks

• The potato plant can fertilize itself.
• The potatoes (tubers) are round or oval.
• They have eyes that are not too deep.
• The skin is white. It might get a little rough as it gets older.
• The inside (flesh) is white. It is also quite dense.
• The plants grow to a medium height.
• Their stems are a reddish-purple color.
• The small leaves at the end of the stem are short and oval-shaped.
• The main leaves are thick and curved.
• The flowers have white tips.
• New sprouts are dark purple.

Growing Superior Potatoes

Farmers like to grow Superior potatoes because they have good qualities for farming.

Best Growing Conditions

• These potatoes produce a lot of potatoes (high yields).
• They are often used to make potato chips.
• Superior potatoes grow best in cooler places.

Staying Healthy

• They can fight off some common potato diseases.
• This includes a moderate resistance to common scab.
• They also have some protection against Verticillium wilt.
• Superior potatoes usually do not have problems like cracks or green spots.
• They also avoid issues like hollow centers or dark spots inside.
• However, they can get sick from some viruses.
• These include potato virus Y and potato virus X.
• They can also get a serious disease called late blight.