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ORIGIN: Released by the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station in 1962. La Rouge was produced from a self pollination of L-02-5 which was selected from a cross of La Soda X Progress. It was tested under the pedigree number L42-45. CHARACTERISTICS: La Rouge is a medium maturing variety that has a high yield potential of tubers that size early. Primary growing areas are in the southeastern U.S. The variety is grown for the fresh market and is generally not stored. Plants are medium large and spreading. Stems are pigmented, leaves are dark green and slightly pubescent, petioles are slightly purple. The flowers are violet with white tips; pollen is scant and has low fertility. Tubers are medium in size, oblong, flattened and somewhat irregular in shape. Skin is smooth and has a bright red color when harvested with green vines, but color fades as tubers mature. Tubers separate readily from stolons, but there is a tendency toward skinning. Eyes are moderately deep and well distributed. Tuber flesh is medium white to cream. Specific gravity of tubers is low, resulting in good boiling characteristics. STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES: La Rouge has good scab resistance but is susceptible to early and late blights, corky ring spot, and bacterial wilt. The deep eyes and irregular tuber shape are the major limitations. When harvested in southern states the height yield, bright color and good boiling qualities make it popular for markets in the late winter. |
