Red La Soda

Red La Soda is a red, main season potato cultivar. It is a deep red mutant of the potato variety La Soda. The non-mutant form was developed by the Louisiana potato breeding program in 1948 as a cross between Triumph and Katahdin. The mutant form was first observed in 1949 but was not released until 1953 by the USDA and the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station.

Botanical Features

• Plant is spreading and medium in size.
• Stems, leaves and petioles are all green and are lightly pubescent.
• Their large lavender flowers are limited in pollen.
• Tubers range from a round to oblong slightly flattened shape.
• Tuber skin is red and smooth but may fade in color over time. Skinning also may occur.
• Tuber flesh is white.
• Tubers have a low specific gravity

Agricultural Features

• Red La Soda is susceptible to early and late blights, scab, corky ring spot and bacterial wilt.
• It is mostly grown for the fresh market, very good for boiling.
• It is primarily grown in the southeastern part of the United States and mainly harvested in the winter months.