RANGER RUSSET
Characteristics | Tables | Management Profile | Seed Spacing/Nitrogen Trials

RANGER RUSSET: CHARACTERISTICS

The release of Ranger Russet was announced in 1991 by the USDA-ARS and Agricultural Experiment Station of Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Ranger Russet is grown for both the French fry, as  an earlier frier than Russet Burbank, and the fresh markets.

Ranger Russet  (A7411-2) was selected in 1977. It is an indeterminate variety whose vine is a medium-late maturation and is a medium-large plant. Frying quality of Ranger Russet is the same as for Russet Burbank at harvest and after 3-month storage. Sugar content is medium after storage at 45 F. Ranger Russet develops solids more rapidly than Russet  Burbank and, therefore, are ready earlier for processing, about two weeks. Taste panel trials indicated similar baking quality between these two cultivars. Ranger  Russet has been tested in the Western Regional Potato Variety Trials, and in various state and industry trials.

Summary of Plant Characteristics
Purpose -- fresh market and frying
Growth Type -- indeterminate
Maturity -- mid to late; full season
Dormancy -- short to medium, 2 to 3 months
Vine -- medium to large, upright and spreading
Leaves -- large and broad, medium green color
Flowers -- abundant, red-purple
Eyes -- moderately shallow to deep, high number, well distributed
Tubers -- long, slightly flattened; medium russet skin
Set -- light, less in number than Russet Burbank and slightly larger in size
Specific Gravity -- higher than most russets
Sugar -- lower than Russet Burbank
Stem End Discoloration -- moderately resistant
Bruising -- moderately susceptible to shatter and susceptible to internal blackspot
External Defects -- moderately resistant to tuber malformations
Internal Defects -- highly resistant to hollow heart
Yields -- higher than Russet Burbank

• Table 1: Yield and specific gravity - Western trials (81-89)
• Table 2: Yield and specific gravity - Idaho trials (81-89)
• Table 3: Yield and specific gravity - Nebraska trials (90-91)
• Table 3b: Yield and specific gravity - Nebraska trials (90-96)
• Table 4: Yield and specific gravity by Nebraska regions (95-96)

Disease susceptibility -susceptible to late blight and common scab; moderately so to leafroll virus, foliar early blight, and blackleg
Disease tolerance -- moderately tolerant to early dying, tuber early blight, dry rot, and leafroll net necrosis, and resistant to PVX and PVY
Herbicide - resistant to metribuzin injury; no problems reported
Other -- develops solids more rapidly than R. Burbank, therefore ready for processing about two weeks earlier.