Melody POTATO

Quick Overview

Melody potatoes are a popular cultivar known for their versatility and high yield, making them a favorite among farmers and home cooks alike. They feature a smooth yellow skin and medium-yellow flesh, with a dry, floury texture ideal for boiling and mashing. Developed by Dutch breeders, this mid-season variety combines excellent taste with robust disease resistance and long storage potential.

• High-yielding table potato with a mid-season harvest (70-120 days).
• Smooth, attractive yellow skin and flesh, perfect for culinary use.
• Known for durability, good taste, and adaptability to various cooking methods.

Origin & History

Melody potatoes were bred by Meijer Research B.V., a Dutch company renowned for potato innovation, with breeding rights held until 2030. The variety emerged from a cross between parent lines VE7445 and W72.22.496, designed to meet the demands of modern agriculture and consumer preferences. Since its introduction, Melody has gained traction in Europe and beyond, particularly in regions like central Russia, where it has been zoned for cultivation.

• Originated in the Netherlands, bred by Meijer Research B.V.
• Introduced as a modern cultivar with a focus on yield and disease resistance.
• Adopted widely in Europe and tested in post-Soviet countries for adaptability.

Specifications

Melody potatoes are oval-shaped tubers with shallow eyes and a smooth, light yellow skin that enhances their market appeal. They mature in 70-90 days as a mid-season crop, though some sources note a slightly longer period of 100-120 days depending on conditions. The plants grow to a medium height, producing red-violet flowers and a high yield potential of 200-636 centners per hectare.

• Oval tubers with shallow eyes and smooth, light yellow skin.
• Mid-season maturity ranging from 70-120 days, depending on climate and care.
• Yield potential ranges from 200-300 centners/ha, with a maximum of 636 centners/ha.

Key Characteristics

Melody potatoes stand out for their floury, dry flesh, which delivers a full flavor and excellent texture for boiling, baking, and mashing, though they’re less suited for frying. They exhibit strong resistance to diseases like late blight on tubers, common scab, bruising, and potato cyst nematode (Globodera rostochiensis Ro1), but require preventive treatment for late blight on foliage. Their long dormancy period (up to 8 months) and ability to retain 97% of the crop during storage make them a reliable choice for long-term use.

• Floury texture with great taste, ideal for boiling and mashing, not frying.
• High disease resistance, including late blight on tubers and common scab.
• Long storage capability with a dormancy period of about 8 months.

Health Benefits

Melody potatoes, like other potato varieties, are a nutritious source of carbohydrates, providing energy through their high starch content. They offer essential nutrients such as vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber, particularly when consumed with the skin, supporting immune function, heart health, and digestion. Their antioxidant content, though not as pronounced as in darker potatoes, contributes to overall wellness when part of a balanced diet.

• Rich in vitamin C, aiding collagen production and immune support.
• High potassium levels support heart and muscle function.
• Contains fiber, especially in the skin, promoting digestive health.