At the Potato Europe in Bockerode that starts tomorrow, breeding company Dr. K.-H. Niehoff from Bütow will present a new table potato, the Macarena, a variety with a number of traits that are expected to generate particular interest given the weather conditions this year in Germany.

The Macarena is a medium-early potato (ready for harvest from mid-August) created for the table potato and export market. Newly registered this year, the potato has red skin and stores very well.

But the biggest advantage is that the variety tolerates long periods of dry and hot weather and still generates high yields, according to a spokesman for the breeding company.

Outstanding heat tolerance

In March of this year, the variety was re-registered after many years of work. For more than 5 years, detailed trials were carried out in the potato stronghold of Lüneburg Heath and on the areas of seed farm Niehoff before it was actually ready to be registered for marketing.
 

“'Due to the very high yields, especially on heavier soils, the predominantly firm variety is particularly well suited for the export market. It also has a very fine taste, a smooth peel and very flat eyes.”

“With yellow insides and a good shell texture, it resembles the Laura, but is much more profitable.”

In the course of this year's summer weather extremes, the question became how the variety will behave in storage after difficult cultivation conditions.
 

“With this year's drought, we have found that the Macarena is able to grow steadily even when heat stress persists.”

“But although it can compensate for hot periods, we still recommend irrigating it.”

Nationwide cultivation trials

The variety is not yet commercially grown, as it was only just registered in March of this year. However, growers keen to try the variety from various growing areas in Germany have already stepped forward and now the question is how the variety can best be cultivated in the various regions, each with their own climatic conditions.

The Macarena is already being promoted at packaging and peeling companies and at booth number G/B29 at the Potato Europe on 12 and 13 September.

Breeding company Dr. K.-H. Niehoff is housed in the beautiful Bütow estate.

Mecklenburg breeding facility

Since 1991, the Mecklenburg breeding facility Niehoff in Bütow has specialized in the breeding and propagation of potato varieties for potato starch production. The company has an excellent record in this area with potato varieties like Elkana, Kuba, Novano, Jasia, Gandawa and Skawa.

The Bütow site offers suitable conditions for a successful propagation of healthy seed potatoes. Through close cooperation with European farms, successful varieties from the most important potato regions are available on the market.

Currently, the breeding company Dr. K.-H. Niehoff is also trying to establish itself in the table potato market with high-yield, high-quality potato varieties.