It was tested as TC582-1 and was released by the Colorado and Texas Experiment Stations in 1989. Russet Nugget is late maturing and produces a medium to high yield of high quality, russeted tubers. It is well suited for both the frozen processing and fresh markets. Plants are very large with upright growth habit. The lower stems are pigmented light red-purple with conspicuous wings and slightly swollen nodes.
Leaves are large, dark green and somewhat rugose in appearance.
Flowers are large and abundant throughout the season. Buds are green. Corolla is white and anthers orange. Tubers have a heavily, and uniformly, russeted skin and white flesh. They have an oblong, slightly flattened shape.