It has some resistance to verticillium wilt and blackspot bruising, excellent resistance to hollow heart and good scab resistance. The Red Norland variety was released from North Dakota State University in 1958. The plants produce a high percentage of U.S. No. 1 tubers. The Dark Red Norland was selected in 1989 from the Red Norland variety by researchers in the Red River Valley. The tuber color is enhanced when grown in heavier, darkier soils such as muck and loam.
Plants are medium-sized with long broad leaves and pink flowers.
Dark Red Norlands typically require longer periods after vine-kill and before harvest to achieve strong skin set than Red Norlands. Both Red and Dark Red Norlands have very low specific gravity ranges and are not suitable for dehydration. They are excellent for fresh frying and salads, boiling and mashing. Red Norlands are susceptible to early dying, viruses, foliar damage from early blight, and sensitive to metribuzin injury. But they are resistant to leafroll, net necrosis, growth cracks, hollow heart and tuber damage by early blight.