Abstract:
A novel potato cultivar of the genus and species  Solanum tuberosum , designated FL1944, is disclosed. The invention relates to the tubers of potato variety FL1944, to the plants of potato variety FL1944, to the seeds of potato variety and to methods for producing hybrid potato variety. The invention further relates to potato variety tubers, seeds and plants produced by crossing the potato variety FL1944 with another potato plant, and to Single Gene Converted plants.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a novel potato variety and to the tubers, plants, plant parts, tissue culture and seeds produced by that potato variety. 
     The publications and other materials used herein to illuminate the background of the invention and, in particular cases, to provide additional details respecting the practice, are incorporated by reference and for convenience, are referenced in the following text by author and date and are listed alphabetically by author in the appended bibliography. 
     The potato is the world&#39;s fourth most important food crop and by far the most important vegetable. Potatoes are currently grown commercially in nearly every state of the United States. Annual potato production exceeds 18 million tons in the United States and 300 million tons worldwide. The popularity of the potato derives mainly from its versatility and nutritional value. Potatoes can be used fresh, frozen or dried, or can be processed into flour, starch or alcohol. They contain complex carbohydrates and are rich in niacin and vitamin C. 
     To keep the potato industry growing to meet the needs of the consuming public, substantial research and development efforts are devoted to the modernization of planting and harvesting of fields and processing of potatoes, and to the development of economically advantageous potato varieties. Through crossbreeding of potatoes, researchers hope to obtain potatoes with the desirable characteristics of good processability, high solids content, high yield, resistance to diseases and pests and adaptability to various growing areas and conditions. 
     The U.S. acreage planted in potatoes has declined since the 1960s and 1970s, and this decline, coupled with increasing consumption, must be offset by higher useable yields. In some areas, diseases and pests damage crops despite the use of herbicides and pesticides. Potato varieties with high yields, disease resistance and adaptability to new environments can eliminate many problems for the potato grower and provide more plentiful and economical products to the consumers. 
     For the potato chip processing industry, potatoes having high solids content, disease resistance, good shipping qualities and good finished chip color can increase production volumes and efficiencies and product acceptability. Potato varieties which yield low-solids tubers result in unnecessary energy usage during the frying process. Moreover, as solids content increases, the oil content of fried products decreases, which is a favorable improvement. Potato varieties in the warm southern tier of states are most in need of solids improvement overall, while those varieties grown and stored in the colder northern tier of states are most in need of the ability to recondition after cool or cold storage to increase their value for use in the potato chip industry. Reconditioning is necessary to elevate the temperature of the potatoes after cold storage and before further processing. 
     The research leading to potato varieties which combine the advantageous characteristics referred to above is largely empirical. This research requires large investments of time, manpower, and money. The development of a potato cultivar can often take up to eight years or more from greenhouse to commercial usage. Breeding begins with careful selection of superior parents to incorporate the most important characteristics into the progeny. Since all desired traits usually do not appear with just one cross, breeding must be cumulative. 
     Present breeding techniques continue with the controlled pollination of parental clones. Typically, pollen is collected in gelatin capsules for later use in pollinating the female parents. Hybrid seeds are sown in greenhouses, and tubers are harvested and retained from thousands of individual seedlings. The next year a single tuber from each resulting seedling is planted in the field, where extreme caution is exercised to avoid the spread of virus and diseases. From this first-year seedling crop, several “seed” tubers from each hybrid individual which survived the selection process are retained for the next year&#39;s planting. After the second year, samples are taken for density measurements and fry tests to determine the suitability of the tubers for commercial usage. Plants which have survived the selection process to this point are then planted at an expanded volume the third year for a more comprehensive series of fry tests and density determinations. At the fourth-year stage of development, surviving selections are subjected to field trials in a commercial production area in Wisconsin, and one site in Florida, to determine their adaptability to different growing conditions. In the fifth year, varieties are entered in replicated yield trials in several states. Eventually, the varieties having superior qualities are transferred to other farms and the seed increased to commercial scale. Generally, by this time, eight or more years of planting, harvesting and testing have been invested in attempting to develop the new and improved potato cultivars. 
     Long-term, controlled-environment storage has been a feature of the northern, principal producing areas for many years. Potatoes harvested by October must be kept in good condition for up to eight months in temperatures that may drop to −30 degrees C. at times and with very low relative humidity in the outside air. Storages are well insulated, not only to prevent heat loss but also to prevent condensation on outside walls. The circulation of air at the required temperature and humidity is automatically controlled depending on the purpose for which the potatoes are being stored. Sprout inhibition is now largely carried out in storage as it has been found to be more satisfactory than the application of maleic hydrazide (MH30) in the field. 
     Proper testing of new candidate varieties should detect any major faults and establish the level of superiority or improvement over current varieties. In addition to showing superior performance, a new variety must be compatible with industry standards or create a new market. The introduction of a new variety may involve some cost to the tuber propagator or the grower. The testing preceding release of a new variety should take into consideration research and development costs as well as technical superiority of the final variety. Once the varieties that give the best performance have been identified, the tuber can be propagated indefinitely as long as the homogeneity of the variety parent is maintained. For tuber propagated varieties, it must be feasible to produce, store and process potatoes easily and economically. 
     Thus, there is a continuing need to develop potato cultivars which provide good processability out of storage, with minimal bruising, for manufacturers of potato chips and other potato products and to combine this characteristic with the properties of disease resistance and resistance to pests. The present invention addresses this need by providing the new variety as described herein. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the invention, there is provided a novel potato cultivar of the genus and species,  Solanum tuberosum , designated FL1944. This invention thus relates to the tubers of potato variety FL1944, the plants and plant parts of potato variety FL1944 and to methods for producing a potato plant produced by crossing the potato variety FL1944 with itself or another potato variety. This invention further relates to hybrid potato seeds and plants produced by crossing the potato variety FL1944 with another potato plant. 
     In another aspect, the present invention provides for Single Gene Converted plants of FL1944. The single gene transferred may be a dominant or recessive allele. Preferably, the single gene transferred will confer such traits as herbicide resistance, insect resistance, resistance for bacterial, fungal or viral disease, uniformity and increase in concentration of starch and other carbohydrates, decrease in tendency of tuber to bruise and decrease in the rate of conversion of starch to sugars. The single gene transferred may be a naturally occurring gene or a transgene introduced through genetic engineering techniques. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A novel potato cultivar of the present invention, which has been designated FL1944, has been obtained by selectively crossbreeding parental clones through several generations. The immediate parents of FL1944 were cultivars designated W843 and FL1815. The variety W843 was chosen as a breeding parent because of its uniform round tuber shape and its potential for transmitting scab resistance to its progeny. FL1815 was chosen as a breeding parent because of its high yields, excellent chip quality out of cold storage and its potential also for transmitting scab resistance. 
     As a chipping variety for fresh use, FL1944 is most similar to the variety Snowden. FL1944 can be distinguished from Snowden with regard to the following traits: FL1944 has a superior chip flavor, the tubers have yellow flesh vs. Snowden with white tuber flesh, and the stem anthocyanin is stronger in FL1944 than in Snowden. The terminal leaflet base is obtuse in FL1944 while Snowden has a cordate base, and the terminal leaf margin waviness is strong in FL1944 while it is only medium in Snowden. Like Snowden, the predominant flower color in FL1944 is white (155C on the Royal Horticultural Society—“RHS”—color chart). Like Snowden, FL1944 has medium leaf silhouette, and intermediate foliage density. FL1944 has spreading growth habit whereas Snowden has erect growth habit. FL1944 and Snowden also have similarly high tuber specific gravities (1.080-1.089); high specific gravities are advantageous for chipping and other frying applications, as they reduce the total energy and time required for the frying operation. FL1944 has a oval tuber, compared to the compressed/round tuber of Snowden. FL1944 appears to be a symptomless carrier of Potato Virus Y. It also has Blackspot bruise susceptibility similar to Snowden, and is susceptible to foliar late blight. 
     In addition to the specific gravity of the tubers of this invention, they also have an advantageous shape for commercial operations. The tubers are generally oval in shape and have a size which is suited to the manufacture of potato chips. On average, these tubers have a mean length of 64.5 millimeters (range: 55-100 millimeters); a mean width of 57.2 millimeters (range: 51-79 millimeters); and a mean thickness of 50.1 millimeters (range: 41-71 millimeters) based upon a 100-tuber sample. Of course, the size of the tubers can vary over a relatively wide range depending on growing conditions and locations. Field trials of FL1944 have proved it to have competitive solids, yield equal to that of Snowden, and a beautiful fresh chip appearance. It is an excellent variety for late fresh performance out of heat stressed areas. 
     In addition to the morphological characteristics and disease resistance as described above, the plants of this invention are characterized by their protein “fingerprint” patterns. The protein “fingerprint” is determined by separating tuber proteins on an electrophoretic gel under certain defined conditions. The pattern of the proteins, attributable to their differential mobilities on the electrophoretic gel, have been found to be characteristic of the particular plant involved. This pattern has thus been termed a “fingerprint.” Isozyme fingerprints of all available North American potato varieties have revealed that no two varieties have the same pattern for the enzymes tested. (Douches and Ludlam, 1991). The isozyme fingerprint of FL1944 (Table I) has been established as unique among North American varieties. These techniques generally involve extracting proteins from the tuber and separating them electrophoretically. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE I 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Isozyme electrophoresis fingerprints of FL 1944 compared to Snowden 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Variety 
                 Mdh-1 
                 Mdh-2 
                 Pgdh-3 
                 Idh-1 
                 Pgi-1 
                 Aps-1 
                 Got-1 
                 Got-2 
                 Pgm-1 
                 Pgm-2 
                 Dia-1 
                 Prx-1 
                 Prx-3 
                 Adh-1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Snowden 
                 1224 
                 2222 
                 2222 
                 1112 
                 2222 
                 — 
                 3344 
                 3555 
                 1122 
                 2223 
                 1111 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 FL 1944 
                 2224 
                 2222 
                 1122 
                 — 
                 2222 
                 — 
                 3344 
                 4444 
                 1112 
                 2223 
                 — 
                 — 
                 1111 
                 — 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Procedures and allelic designation used are according to Douches, D. S. and K. Ludlam, 1991, “Electrophoretic characterization of North American Potato Cultivars,” Am. Potato J. 68: 767-780.  
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Potato variety FL1944 has the following morphologic and other characteristics. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 VARIETY DESCRIPTION INFORMATION 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1. 
                 Classification:  Solanum tuberosum   
               
               
                 2. 
                 Plant characteristics: (Observed at beginning of bloom) 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Growth habit: 
                 Spreading 
               
               
                   
                 Type: 
                 Intermediate 
               
               
                   
                 Maturity (Days after planting - 
                 130 
               
               
                   
                 DAP): 
               
               
                   
                 Maturity Class: 
                 Late (121-130 DAP) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 3. 
                 Stem Characteristics: (Observed at early first bloom) 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Stem (anthocyanin coloration): 
                 Strong 
               
               
                   
                 Stem (wings): 
                 Medium 
               
             
          
           
               
                 4. 
                 Leaf Characteristics: (Observed fully developed leaves located 
               
               
                   
                 in the middle one- third of plant): 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Leaf (color): 
                 Medium Green/137A RHS 
               
               
                   
                 Leaf (pubescence density): 
                 Sparse 
               
               
                   
                 Leaf (silhouette): 
                 Medium 
               
               
                   
                 Petioles (anthocyanin 
                 Weak 
               
               
                   
                 coloration): 
               
               
                   
                 Terminal leaflet (shape): 
                 Medium ovate 
               
               
                   
                 Terminal leaflet (shape of tip): 
                 Acuminate 
               
               
                   
                 Terminal leaflet (shape of base): 
                 Obtuse 
               
               
                   
                 Terminal leaflet (margin 
                 Strong 
               
               
                   
                 waviness): 
               
               
                   
                 Primary leaflet (average pairs): 
                 3 
               
               
                   
                 Primary leaflet (shape of tip): 
                 Acuminate 
               
               
                   
                 Primary leaflet (shape): 
                 Medium ovate 
               
               
                   
                 Primary leaflet (shape of base): 
                 Cordate 
               
             
          
           
               
                 5. 
                 Inflorescence Characteristics: 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Corolla (shape): 
                 Pentagonal 
               
               
                   
                 Corolla (inner surface color): 
                 White (155C RHS) 
               
               
                   
                 Calyx (anthocyanin coloration): 
                 Weak 
               
               
                   
                 Anthers (shape): 
                 Loose 
               
               
                   
                 Stigma (shape): 
                 Capitate 
               
               
                   
                 Stigma (color): 
                 131A RHS 
               
             
          
           
               
                 6. 
                 Tuber Characteristics: 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Skin (predominant color): 
                 Tan 
               
               
                   
                 Skin (texture): 
                 Rough (flaky) 
               
               
                   
                 Tuber (shape): 
                 Oval 
               
               
                   
                 Tuber (thickness): 
                 Medium Thick 
               
               
                   
                 Tuber (length): 
                 64.5 mm (average) 
               
               
                   
                 Tuber (width): 
                 57.2 mm (average) 
               
               
                   
                 Tuber (thickness): 
                 50.1 mm (average) 
               
               
                   
                 Tuber eyes (depth): 
                 Intermediate 
               
               
                   
                 Tuber (primary flesh color): 
                 160A RHS 
               
               
                   
                 Tuber (prominence of 
                 Slight prominence 
               
               
                   
                 eyebrows): 
               
             
          
           
               
                 7. 
                 Reaction to Diseases: 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Late Blight 
                 Susceptible 
               
               
                   
                 Potato Virus Y 
                 Moderately Susceptible, but does 
               
               
                   
                   
                 not show clear symptoms when 
               
               
                   
                   
                 infected. 
               
             
          
           
               
                 8. 
                 Reaction to Pests: 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Golden nematode 
                 Presumed to be Susceptible 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that when the term potato plant is used in the context of the present invention, this also includes derivative varieties that retain the essential distinguishing characteristics of FL1944, such as a Single Gene Converted plant of that variety or a transgenic derivative having one or more value-added genes incorporated therein (such as herbicide or pest resistance). Backcrossing methods can be used with the present invention to improve or introduce a characteristic into the variety. The term backcrossing as used herein refers to the repeated crossing of a hybrid progeny back to the recurrent parents. The parental potato plant which contributes the gene for the desired characteristic is termed the nonrecurrent or donor parent. This terminology refers to the fact that the nonrecurrent parent is used one time in the backcross protocol and therefore does not recur. The parental potato plant to which the gene or genes from the nonrecurrent parent are transferred is known as the recurrent parent as it is used for several rounds in the backcrossing protocol. In a typical backcross protocol, the original variety of interest (recurrent parent) is crossed to a second variety (nonrecurrent parent) that carries the single gene of interest to be transferred. The resulting progeny from this cross are then crossed again to the recurrent parent and the process is repeated until a potato plant is obtained wherein essentially all of the desired morphological and physiological characteristics of the recurrent parent are recovered in the converted plant, in addition to the single gene transferred from the nonrecurrent parent. 
     The selection of a suitable recurrent parent is an important step for a successful backcrossing procedure. The goal of a backcross protocol is to alter or substitute a single trait or characteristic in the original variety. To accomplish this, a single gene of the recurrent variety is modified, substituted or supplemented with the desired gene from the nonrecurrent parent, while retaining essentially all of the rest of the desired genes, and therefore the desired physiological and morphological constitution of the original variety. The choice of the particular nonrecurrent parent will depend on the purpose of the backcross. One of the major purposes is to add some commercially desirable, agronomically important trait to the plant. The exact backcrossing protocol will depend on the characteristic or trait being altered or added to determine an appropriate testing protocol. Although backcrossing methods are simplified when the characteristic being transferred is a dominant allele, a recessive allele may also be transferred. In this instance, it may be necessary to introduce a test of the progeny to determine if the desired characteristic has been successfully transferred. 
     Likewise, transgenes can be introduced into the plant using any of a variety of established recombinant methods well-known to persons skilled in the art. 
     Many single gene traits have been identified that are not regularly selected for in the development of a new variety but that can be improved by backcrossing and genetic engineering techniques. Single gene traits may or may not be transgenic, examples of these traits include but are not limited to: herbicide resistance; resistance to bacterial, fungal or viral disease; insect resistance; uniformity or increase in concentration of starch and other carbohydrates; enhanced nutritional quality; decrease in tendency of tuber to bruise; and decrease in the rate of starch conversion to sugars. These genes are generally inherited through the nucleus. Several of these single gene traits are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,365, U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,756, U.S. Pat. No. 5,789,657, U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,999, U.S. Pat. No. 5,589,612, U.S. Pat. No. 5,510,253, U.S. Pat. No. 5,304,730, U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,429, U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,999, U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,249, U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,912, U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,533, U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,268, U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,676, U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,434 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,970,168, the disclosures of which are specifically hereby incorporated by reference. 
     DEPOSIT INFORMATION 
     A deposit of the Frito-Lay, Inc. proprietary potato cultivar FL 1944 microtubers disclosed above and recited in the appended claims has been made with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, Va. 20110. The date of deposit was Sep. 11, 2002. The deposit was taken from the same deposit maintained by Frito-Lay, Inc. since prior to the filing date of this application. All restrictions upon the deposit have been removed, and the deposit is intended to meet all the requirements of 37 C.F.R. § 1.801-1.809. The ATCC accession no. is PTA- 4658. The deposit will be maintained in the depository for a period of 30 years, or 5 years after the last request, or for the effective life of the patent, whichever is longer, and will be replaced as necessary during that period.