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ORIGIN: Named in 1964 by Frito-Lay, Inc. Bred and selected by the USDA in Maine from a 1953 cross of Katahdin selfed, by Chippewa selfed. CHARACTERISTICS: A mid-season maturity variety with medium yields and widely used for chip processing from the field and from extended storage. Monona is widely grown in the North Central and Northeastern areas of the U.S. and in Canada. Plants are small to medium size with spreading growth habit. Stems are medium thick and round with green and slightly swollen nodes. Leaflets are large with pointed tips, medium green and roll when under stress. Flowers are large and white with abundant pubescence. Tubers are oblong to ovate, somewhat irregular, flattened with smooth, light-cream buff skin and white fleshed. Eyes are shallow to medium deep. STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES: Produces an excellent chip color and will recondition rapidly after cold storage but specific gravity is low. Monona is resistant to mild and rugose mosaic, tolerant to scab and Verticillium wilt and is very susceptible to blackleg. The bright white skin and small percentage of tubers scoreable against the U.S. No. 1 grade are advantages for tablestock. The irregular shape, moderately deep eyes and variable yield are the major disadvantages. |
