Merlot

The Merlot potato variety is a medium-late, table-type variety developed in Germany and intended for cultivation in the Central region. The plant has an intermediate type with semi-upright growth, small or medium-sized, closed, green leaves. Tubers are oval-shaped with bright red skin and dark yellow flesh, giving them an attractive appearance and excellent taste. The marketable tuber mass ranges from 89 to 139 grams, and starch content is 15.7–16.1%, ensuring good nutritional value.

The Merlot variety is characterized by high yield and marketability. Marketable yield ranges from 190 to 355 centners per hectare, meeting the Atlantic standard and exceeding the Manitou standard by 72 centners per hectare. Maximum yield can reach 504 centners per hectare, 98 centners higher than the Vetrass standard. Tubers’ marketability ranges from 84–96%, and storability reaches 98%, ensuring long-term storage without quality loss.

One of the key advantages of the Merlot variety is its high resistance to several diseases. It is resistant to potato cancer pathogen, golden potato cyst nematode, and leaf curling. However, it is moderately susceptible to late blight on stems and tubers, requiring compliance with agronomic measures for plant protection. Due to its combination of high yield, excellent taste, and disease resistance, Merlot is an attractive choice for cultivation both for fresh consumption and for the market of table potatoes.