M A Y / J U N E 2 0 1 7 18 POTATO GROWER Turning Back The Clock A Look Back 25 Years Ago at Excerpts from The June 1992 Issue of The Valley Potato Grower Magazine Goldrush- a new russet potato variety Dr. Bob Johansen, Department of Horticulture and Forestry, at North Dakota State University announces the release of Goldrush. This marks the fourth russet skinned variety released by NDSU and the 15th variety named. The first variety released was Norland in 1957. The russet varieties previously named and released are Norgold Russet in 1964, NorKing Russet in 1985, and Russet Norkotah in 1987. All three varieties have made a significant impact on potato production in the United States and Canada. Goldrush, tested under the pedigree ND1538-1Russ, was selected from a cross between Lemhi and ND450- 3Russ. Both Norgold Russet and Russet Burbank are distant relatives of Goldrush. The cross resulting in Goldrush was made in the greenhouse in 1980 and the seedling was grown in the field at the Langdon Experiment Station in North Dakota in 1981 at which time the original selection was made. Goldrush has been tested in state- wide trials in North Dakota for five years (1987-1991) and was in the North Central Regional Trial for three years (1989-1991). This past season 339 acres of certi- fied seed were grown in North Dakota. Certified seed was also pro- duced in Nebraska, Wisconsin, Idaho, and Montana during 1991. When tested for five years in state- wide trials, the US No. 1 yield of Goldrush was comparable to Norgold Russet, Russet Norkotah, and NorKing Russet but much high- er than Russet Burbank. In percent US No. 1 grade, this new variety was again comparable to the above three russet varieties but much bet- ter than Russet Burbank. In total solids, Goldrush was com- parable to Russet Burbank, Norgold Russet, and Russet Norkotah but slightly lower than NorKing Russet. NorKing Russet is a high total solids variety adapted for processing. When tested in the North Central Regional Trial in 1989-1991, Goldrush consistently ranked in the top five entries for overall perform- ance. The North Central Regional Trial consists of three provinces and 12 states. This new russet variety is medium in maturity and has a medium large strong vine. The plants are quite upright in growth and seem to be somewhat drought resistant. Probably the most outstanding characteristic of Goldrush is the resistance to hollow heart. Hollow heart studies conducted on the Red River Valley Potato Research Farm near Grand Forks, North Dakota, by Dr. Don Nelson for three years