CDC Big Brown

Oat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'CDC Dancer' and 'Leggett'

Summary: The density of pubescence on the lower sheath of 'CDC Big Brown' is medium while it is dense to very dense in 'Leggett'. The pubescence on the leaf margins of 'CDC Big Brown' is absent to very sparse while it is medium in 'CDC Dancer'. The frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves is medium in 'CDC Big Brown' while it is low in the reference varieties. The flag leaves of 'CDC Big Brown' are longer in length than the reference varieties. The density of pubescence on the upper culm node of 'CDC Big Brown' is absent to very sparse while it is dense in the reference varieties. The plants of 'CDC Big Brown' are taller in height than 'Leggett'. The glaucosity of the lemma of 'CDC Big Brown' is medium to strong while it is weak in 'Leggett'. The pubescence of the rachilla of 'CDC Big Brown' is medium while it is sparse in the reference varieties. 'CDC Big Brown' has weak to medium tendency to be awned while it is absent to very weak in the reference varieties. The kernel colour of 'CDC Big Brown' is yellow to light brown while it is cream to yellow in 'CDC Dancer' and white to cream in 'Leggett'.

Description:

SEEDLING (5-9 tiller stage): semi-erect to intermediate juvenile growth habit, medium pubescence of lower leaf sheath and sparse pubescence of lower leaf blade

LEAF (at booting stage): medium green, absent or very sparse pubescence of the margins, weak to medium intensity of glaucosity, medium frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves, absent or very sparse pubescence/hairiness above and below upper culm node

PANICLE (just after heading): 57 days from planting to 50% of panicles fully emerged from boot, equilateral/symmetrical orientation, medium to dense density
PANICLE BRANCHES: semi-erect to horizontal attitude, 30 to 45 degree angle between the rachis and dominant side branch, medium number and medium to long length of hairs or spines on the lowest panicle node
SPIKELET: medium glaucosity of glumes, fracture separation of spikelet with nodding attitude
RACHILLA: medium length between primary and secondary florets, short to medium length grooves, medium pubescence
LEMMA: medium to strong glaucosity, small to medium lateral overlap on palea, yellow to reddish-brown at maturity, sparse pubescence on the lateral and dorsal surfaces, weak to medium tendency to be awned

KERNEL (primary kernels from upper spikelets): hulled, short basal hairs, yellow to light brown, two grains per spikelet, pointed medium to large scutellum, medium to dense density of groat pubescence

AGRONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS: spring type, good lodging resistance, daylength sensitive

QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS: 14.9% protein content, 7.9% lipid content, 4.4% gum content

Origin & Breeding History: 'CDC Big Brown' (experimental designation 'OT3037') was developed at the Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan using a pedigree breeding system. It arose from the cross 'AC Assiniboia/S42' x 'OT385' made in 2001. The F1 to F4 generations were grown as bulk populations with the F1 and F3 grown in a winter nursery in New Zealand. 'CDC Big Brown' was grown and selected as a single F4 derived F5 hill plot in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 2004. It was then tested in CDC yield trials in 2006-2007, followed by testing in the Western Canadian Oat Cooperative trials during 2008 and 2009. Selection criteria for 'CDC Big Brown' included high grain yield combined with excellent milling yield, large kernels, grain plumpness with low % thins and resistance to smut and crown rust.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials for 'CDC Big Brown' were conducted in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan during the summers of 2010 and 2011. Plots consisted of 5 rows with a row length of 3.7 metres and a row spacing of 20 cm. There were 3 replicates arranged in a RCB design.

Comparison tables for 'CDC Big Brown' with reference varieties 'CDC Dancer' and 'Leggett'

Flag leaf: length (cm)

Plant height (culm plus panicle) (cm)

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Oat: 'CDC Big Brown' (right) with the reference varieties 'CDC Dancer' (left) and 'Leggett' (centre)

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Oat: 'CDC Big Brown' (left) with the reference varieties 'CDC Dancer' (centre) and 'Leggett' (right)

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Oat: 'CDC Big Brown' (centre) with the reference varieties 'CDC Dancer' (left) and 'Leggett' (right)