Polaris Gold: An Attractive, Yellow-fleshed Tablestock Cultivar with Chipping Potential

Abstract

Polaris Gold is a late-maturing, yellow-fleshed, beige-yellow skinned cultivar with round tubers and an established reputation for culinary versatility and excellent flavor. Tuber size distribution favors large tubers when the crop is allowed to completely bulk, and small-to-medium tubers when harvested in an interval typical for specialty table-stock cultivars. The beige-yellow, almost transparent skin allows the bright yellow-flesh color to be seen on uncut tubers. Yields are lower than for Yukon Gold, an earlier-maturing, yellow, fresh-market potato cultivar, regarded as an industry standard. Seed growers and commercial producers have been planting Polaris Gold (evaluated as MN04844-07Y) since 2012. Anecdotal reports from consumers laud its versatility, describing it as being excellent for chips, home fries, lefse, kugelis, pan roasting, salads, and even mashing. Specific gravity was 1.070 over three locations. Polaris Gold will be released with the publication of this article, and Plant Variety Protection (PVP) will not be sought.