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TORONTO — The Yukon Gold potato might have come from humble roots, but the Canadian-bred spud has achieved global status among chefs and food writers.

It seems Gary Johnston, the plant scientist who bred the yellow-fleshed potato 50 years ago, was ahead of his time.

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He’s hailed as an “agricultural hero,” best known for the cross-breeding of a bright yellow wild potato from Peru with a domestic variety. That produced the Yukon Gold, which is praised for its versatility and flavour.

Altogether Johnston developed and brought 16 potato varieties to market. At one time, the top four varieties of potato were his, says the University of Guelph, where he was based with Agriculture Canada for close to 30 years.

Johnston named his iconic potato after the Yukon River, with its link to the Klondike Gold Rush. Yukon Gold was the first Canadian-bred potato variety to be promoted, packaged and marketed under its own name. But because the potato’s release to market came a few years before breeder’s rights legislation was implemented, no royalties were received.