
Professor Nie Bihua from the potato team at Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU) presents Huashu No 16. [Photo/news.hzau.edu.cn]
Huashu No 16, developed by HZAU, has been included in the 2025 national catalog of prominent crop varieties.
From a pool of nationwide candidate varieties, a total of 326 groundbreaking selections were made, spanning 21 crop categories. Among these, 16 potato varieties, including Huashu No 16, were classified into backbone, growth, seedling, and special types, tailored to meet diverse agricultural demands across different regions and situations.
As a representative of the special type varieties, Huashu No 16 was previously recognized as the leading agricultural variety in Hubei province for the 2024-2025 term. This particular cultivar is specifically crafted for the fresh small potato processing and consumption market.
Huashu No 16 boasts a high rate of medium and small potatoes, averaging around 20 tubers per plant. Additionally, it features golden-yellow flesh, a sticky texture, and exceptional taste, along with excellent processing adaptability.
The introduction of this variety is expected to bridge the market gap for specialized small potato varieties in China, contributing to increased farmer incomes, industry advancement, and rural vitalization.
Presently, Huashu No 16 has seen extensive adoption in Hubei, resulting in a yield increase of over 30,000 yuan ($4,125) per hectare. The variety has garnered significant acclaim from both cultivators and market stakeholders.