Erika
Background
The Erika variety, grown in Austria, is a textbook example of how the international cooperation within the Agrico network is bearing fruit.
The variety is bred for the salat market, which requires potatoes with a firm cooking type, fine texture and excellent flavor. Erika amply meets these requirements and then exceeds them with the addition of a supreme presentation that has excited great interest from Portugal, France and Italy. And we’re sure it won’t stop there!
This potato originated from a crossing between parent varieties Marabel, from the Mansholt company, and an Agrico Research seedling (AR 88-156). Despite the fact that the cross was carried out at Agrico Research, the variety was selected in Austria by the NiederOostenreichischer Saatbaugenossenschaft (NOS). They regularly use parents from among Agrico varieties. In addition, each year they apply for 1,000 seeds from the Agrico Research breeding program. The Erika variety came from one of these orders and a partnership of more than 30 years.
As well as the breeding station, the NOS also has a trial field location that houses all Agrico seedlings alongside their own tests. The manager of this trial station has a lovely wife named Erika, after whom the variety is named. Moreover, it’s a name that is easy to pronounce and remember in many languages.
Would you like to know more about the Erika?
The best way to guarantee a good harvest and the best return on your investment is to start out with healthy, high-quality seed potatoes and expert advice. At Agrico, we are committed to and invest in knowledge and research. This has enabled us to cultivate a wide range of unique potato varieties that display effective resistance, strong variety characteristics and a high yield. Naturally, the seed potatoes we supply are fully certified.
If you have any specific questions about the Erikaor would like to know what Agrico can do for you with respect to varieties, please feel free to contact us.
Adrie Omtzigt
