A New Zealand couple, Colin and Donna Craig-Brown applied to have a massive vegetable named “Dug” for the Guinness World Records. “Dug”, recognised as the world’s heaviest potato in the world, was said through a DNA test that it actually wasn’t a potato but a type of gourd.

The Craig-Browns, who unearthed the 17.4-pound object from their Waikato farm in August 2021, said Guinness World Records requested a sample of the tuber for DNA testing, which is part of their record application, and they heard back from the record-keeping organisation on Sunday.

The Craig-Browns said Guinness had the sample tested by Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture/SASA, and the examination revealed ‘Dug’ was actually a “tuber of a type of gourd.”

“I’m disappointed, but he’s still ‘Dug’, not the biggest potato. It’s been a real roller-coaster of potato-rama. We hopped on the roller-coaster eyes wide open and enjoyed the ride and this was the last real twist.” Colin Craig-Brown said.

Craig-Brown speculated that the tuber might have been the result of a seedling he purchased that may have been crossbred with a gourd and a cucumber.

“I’m trying to rationalise how this has happened,” he said.

Craig-Brown said the saga has inspired him to make a new attempt at growing the world’s largest potato.

“It has inspired me to grow my potato and really get stuck in. Draw on all the knowledge and scientific know-how that I’ve accumulated through the process with all the experts. I’m really gonna give it my all and have a go at growing the biggest potato in the world,” he said.