AAC Connect

Barley

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'AC Metcalfe', 'Major', 'Newdale', 'Cerveza' and 'AAC Synergy'

Summary: At booting, the frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves for 'AAC Connect' is low whereas it is absent or very low for 'AC Metcalfe'. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the auricle of 'AAC Connect' is weak to medium strong whereas it is very weak to weak for 'AC Metcalfe'. The flag leaf of 'AAC Connect' is shorter than that of 'Cerveza' and it is wider than those of 'Major' and 'Newdale'. The first segment of the rachis of 'AAC Connect' is shorter than that of 'AAC Synergy'. 'AAC Connect' has a kernel that is longer than that of 'AC Metcalfe' and it is wider than that of 'Newdale'. 'AAC Connect' has a longer spike, excluding the awns, than the spike of 'Major'. 'AAC Connect' is moderately resistant to Net Blotch Spot-form (Pyrenophora teres) whereas 'Major' and 'AAC Synergy' are resistant. 'AAC Connect' is susceptible to True loose smut (Ustilago nuda) whereas 'AC Metcalfe', 'Major' and 'Cerveza' are resistant.

Description:

PLANT: two row, spring malting-type barley, erect to semi-erect growth habit at tillering, absent or very sparse pubescence on the lower leaf sheaths

FLAG LEAF (AT BOOTING): low frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves, absent or very sparse pubescence on blade
FLAG LEAF SHEATH: very strong glaucosity, absent or very sparse pubescence
AURICLE: weak to medium strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or very sparse pubescence on the margins

SPIKE: mid-season emergence, medium to strong glaucosity, attitude ranges from erect to semi-erect to horizontal, tapering to parallel sided shape, medium density, the sterile spikelet attitude is parallel to weakly divergent, glume and awn of median spikelet is longer than grain
FIRST SEGMENT OF RACHIS: weak to medium curvature
LEMMA AWNS: weak to medium strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the tips, longer than the length of the spike, rough spiculations on margins

KERNEL: whitish aleurone layer, long rachilla hairs, husk present, absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration of the nerves of the lemma, medium degree of spiculation of inner lateral nerves of dorsal side of lemma, glabrous ventral furrow, clasping disposition of lodicules, horseshoe shape basal marking with some transverse crease markings

AGRONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS: good resistance to lodging, good malting quality

DISEASE REACTIONS: resistant to moderately resistant to Covered Smut (Ustilago hordei) and False Loose Smut (Ustilago nigra); moderately resistant to Spot Blotch (Cochliobolus sativus), Net Blotch Spot-form (Pyrenophora teres), Stem Rust (Puccinia graminis), and Fusarium Head Blight (Fusarium graminearum); moderately resistant to moderately susceptible to Net Blotch net-form (Pyrenophora teres); moderately susceptible to Common Root Rot (Cochliobolus sativus); susceptible to Septoria Speckled Leaf Blotch (Septoria passerinii), Scald (Rhynchosporium secalis), True Loose Smut (Ustilago nuda) and Barley Yellow Dwarf virus

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Connect' (experimental designation 'TR12225' and 'BM0421-205') was developed from a cross between 'TR04282' and 'BM9831D-229' made in a greenhouse in the fall of 2004 at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Brandon Research and Development Centre in Brandon, Manitoba. Early generations were handled by a modified bulk method. The F1 generation was grown in the greenhouse and F2 as a bulk plot in the field in Brandon in 2005. During 2005 and 2006, the F3 generation was grown as a bulk increase in a winter nursery in Leeston, New Zealand. The F4 generation was grown as two bulk plots and 500 spikes were harvested in Brandon in 2006. In 2007, 500 F5 lines were planted in single 0.9 metre rows in an irrigated nursery located in Brandon and selections were made for Fusarium Head Blight resistance. Resulting thirty-three F6 lines were planted in single 1.5 metre rows in Brandon in 2008 where selections were made for height, maturity, lodging resistance, general appearance and field disease reaction. 'BM0421-205' was selected from the F6 lines and planted in a single row and further evaluated for disease resistance. In 2009 and 2010, 'BM0421-205' was grown in preliminary yield tests in Brandon and evaluated for yield and further disease resistance. In 2011, 'BM0421-205' was grown in an advanced yield trial in 5 locations in Western Canada. From 2012 to 2014, 'BM0421-205' became known as 'TR12225', and was evaluated in the Western Cooperative Two-row Barley Registration Test and Collaborative Malting Barley Trial. It was further evaluated for disease resistance during that period. Initial breeder seed was produced in 2014.

Tests & Trials: The comparative tests and trials for 'AAC Connect' were conducted during the 2015 and 2016 growing seasons in Brandon, Manitoba. Plots consisted of 6 rows with a row length of 4 metres and a row spacing of 18 cm. Plots were spaced 46 cm apart. There were 4 replicates arranged in a RCB design. Measured characteristics were based on 40 measurements in each year.

Comparison tables for 'AAC Connect' with reference varieties 'AC Metcalfe', 'Major', 'Newdale', 'Cerveza' and 'AAC Synergy'

Flag leaf length (cm)

Flag leaf width (mm)

Rachis first segment length (mm)

Spike length excluding awns (cm)

Kernel length (mm)

Kernel width (mm)

Click on image for larger view

Barley: 'AAC Connect' (top) with reference varieties 'AC Metcalfe' (second from top), 'AAC Synergy' (third from top), 'Major' (third from bottom), 'Cerveza' (second from bottom) and 'Newdale' (bottom)

Click on image for larger view

Barley: 'AAC Connect' (top) with reference varieties 'AC Metcalfe' (second from top), 'AAC Synergy' (third from top), 'Major' (third from bottom), 'Cerveza' (second from bottom) and 'Newdale' (bottom)