Summary: 'FL 1879' produces a shorter plant with a less erect growth habit than 'Snowden'. 'FL 1879' has a higher number of secondary and tertiary leaflets than 'Snowden'. 'FL 1879' produces fewer flowers than 'Snowden'. The tubers of 'FL 1879' have smoother skin which is white in colour while the tubers of 'Snowden' have buff coloured skin. The tuber flesh is cream coloured for 'FL 1879' and white for 'Snowden'. The light sprout of 'FL 1879' has buff coloured anthocyanin on the base while it is blue-violet for 'Snowden'. The light sprout tip has a more closed habit for 'FL 1879'.
'FL 1879' is a mid-season maturing potato variety which produces semi-erect plants which are short in height. The plant type is intermediate between stem and leaf. The stems are medium in thickness with prominent, straight single wings and no anthocyanin colouration. There is no swelling at the nodes and considerable branching. The leaves of 'FL 1879' are medium green in colour and pubescent, with a medium silhouette. The leaf rachis is pubescent with no anthocyanin colouration on the top and bottom. The petioles have no anthocyanin colouration. The stipules are medium in size and the terminal leaflet is broadly ovate, with weak waviness of the margin, an acuminate tip and a symmetrical, truncate base. There are an average of four pairs of primary leaflets, which are medium sized and moderately ovate with an acuminate tip and asymmetrical, truncate base. There are 5 to 9 secondary and tertiary leaflets.
'FL 1879' produces a low number of inflorescences per plant with a very low number of florets per inflorescence. The flower buds drop readily and have no anthocyanin colouration. The inner surface of the corolla is white. Anthocyanin colouration is absent on the inner and outer sides of the corolla. The corolla of 'FL 1879' is small in size with a non prominent star. There is no anthocyanin colouration on the calyx and peduncle. 'FL 1879' has greenish yellow anthers which are broad cone-shaped. There is no pollen. The stigma is capitate in shape and light green in colour. There is no berry production.
The tubers of 'FL 1879' have white skin with no secondary colour. The skin is smooth in texture and tuber shape is round. There are a medium number of tuber eyes which are intermediate in depth and evenly distributed. Eyebrows are not prominent. The tuber flesh is cream in colour with no secondary colour. There are a low number of tubers produced per plant and tuber dormancy is moderate (approximately 6 months).
The light sprouts of 'FL 1879' are spherical in shape with weak, buff coloured anthocyanin and weak pubescence at the base. The light sprout tip has no anthocyanin, has a closed habit and is moderately pubescent. The root initials are medium in number, the lateral shoots are short and the protrusion of lenticels is weak.
Origin & Breeding History: 'FL 1879' originated from the cross 'Snowden' x FL 1207, made in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, USA in 1989. Botanical seeds of the cross were grown in the greenhouse in 1989. All of the tubers from each selected plant were retained and from this point on each selected individual was propagated clonally. Tubers were planted in 1990 and 1991. 'FL 1879' was selected from plants grown in 1991 and was designated as RD268-90-6. The variety was given the new designation 'FL 1879' in 1994.
Tests & Trials: Tests and trials for 'FL 1879' were conducted in 2000 at Vauxhall, Alberta. The varieties were planted in rows 30 metres long with 100 cm between the rows and the plants were spaced 30 cm apart within the row.