Mazama: An early maturing, bright red-skinned cultivar for fresh market

Mazama, an early maturing red-skinned cultivar for fresh market use, was jo intly released in 2000 by the Agricultural Experiment Stations of Oregon, N orth Dakota, California, Idaho, and Washington. Mazama was tested in irriga ted trials in Oregon from 1990 to 2000 and in the Western Regional Trial in 1994, 1995, and 1997. Mazama produces lower total yields than Dark Red Nor land and Red LaSoda, but similar marketable yields with a high percentage o f small, high-value tubers and significantly fewer culls. In 22 location-ye ars of replicated Oregon and California trials, Mazama produced 40% and 26% higher marketable yields of U.S. #1s under 280 g than Red LaSoda and Dark Red Norland, respectively. In three years of replicated trials in six weste rn states, Mazama produced 115% and 102% of marketable yields of U.S. #1s u nder 280 g compared with Red LaSoda and Dark Red Norland, respectively. Maz ama tubers are smooth skinned and shallow eyed. Mazama s bright red color d oes not fade in storage. Mazama is less susceptible to potato virus Y than Dark Red Norland or Red LaSoda.