Yukon Gold potato facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Potato 'Yukon Gold' |
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The golden yellow flesh of the 'Yukon Gold' potato
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| Genus | Solanum |
| Species | Solanum tuberosum |
| Hybrid parentage | 'Norgleam' × W5279-4 |
| Cultivar | 'Yukon Gold' |
| Origin | Ontario, Canada |
Yukon Gold is a large cultivar of potato most distinctly characterized by its thin, smooth, eye-free skin and yellow-tinged flesh. This potato was developed in the 1960s by Garnet ("Gary") Johnston in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, with the help of Geoff Rowberry at the University of Guelph. The official cross bred strain was made in 1966 and 'Yukon Gold' was finally released into the market in 1980.
Contents
Cooking
Unlike some other potato cultivars, 'Yukon Gold' can stand up to both dry-heat and wet-heat cooking methods. Its waxy moist flesh and sweet flavour make it ideal for boiling, baking and frying but these potatoes will also withstand grilling, pan frying, and roasting.
One medium (150g) potato provides the following nutrition (percentages are based on a 2,000-calorie diet):
- Calories 110
- Fat 0 g
- Sodium 10 mg
- Potassium 770 mg
- Total Carbs 26 g (9%)
- Dietary Fibre 2 g (8%)
- Sugars 3 g
- Protein 3 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Vitamin A 0%
- Vitamin C 50%
- Calcium 2%
- Iron 15%
Agriculture and growing
General features
- Bred from Norgleam × W5279-4 cross at the University of Guelph, registered in 1980.
- Plant maturity reached at mid-season.
Botanical features
- Leaves are olive green, moderately skinny and open away from stem.
- Flowers are light violet with a star of yellow-green at the base becoming light violet towards the edges.
- Buds range from light green to purplish green.
- Tubers (potatoes) are oval with a slightly flattened shape and with smooth contours and shallow eyes.
- Skin appears light yellow to light golden brown and is flaked with yellow.
- Flesh is yellow in colour and has high moisture content.
- Sprouts are reddish purple.
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Leaf
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Flower
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Plant
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Sprout
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Skin
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Flesh
Agricultural features
- Medium to high yield.
- Large tubers are slightly susceptible to hollow heart (hollowed out centre of potato)
- Excellent storage characteristics due to long dormancy phase; best to store in a cold dark place.
Susceptibility to disease
Very susceptible to: seed decay, blackleg, early blight, late blight, early dying, PVY, soft rot, dry rot, leak, pink rot, silver scurf, and black scurf.
Susceptible to: common scab.
Moderately tolerant to: leaf roll.
Tolerant to: PVX.
Storage
This cultivar is resistant to bruising and does not sprout a lot because it has good dormancy. If tubers are stored correctly they will not lose a lot of moisture compared to other cultivars. It is important that the lenticels are not swollen and that the skin is not bruised because this can lead to major rot issues.
