AAC Nicolas

Oat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Rigodon' and 'Dieter'

Summary: The juvenile growth habit of 'AAC Nicolas' is intermediate between semi-erect and semi-prostrate whereas that of 'Dieter' is semi-erect. At the 5 to 9 tiller stage, the pubescence of the lower leaf sheath and blade of 'AAC Nicolas' is absent or very sparse whereas it is sparse on both reference varieties. At booting, the pubescence on the margins of the leaves below the flag leaf of 'AAC Nicolas' is sparse whereas it is absent or very sparse on both reference varieties. The intensity of glaucosity on the leaves of 'AAC Nicolas' is weak whereas it is of medium intensity for both reference varieties. The frequency of recurved flag leaves on the plants of 'AAC Nicolas' is high whereas it is low on 'Rigodon'. 'AAC Nicolas' is later heading than 'Rigodon'.

Description:

PLANT: hulled spring type, intermediate between semi-erect and semi-prostrate juvenile growth habit, sparse pubescence on lower leaf sheath and lower leaf blade, high frequency of recurved flag leaves
STEM: no pubescence above and below the upper culm node

LEAF: medium green, sparse pubescence of margin, weak glaucosity

PANICLE: equilateral/symmetrical orientation, medium density, horizontal attitude of branches, 30 to 45 degree angle between dominant side branch and rachis, few hairs or spines on lowest node
SPIKELET: semi-abscission separation, semi-nodding attitude, 2-3 grains
RACHILLA: medium length between primary and secondary floret, absent or very short grooves, sparse pubescence
GLUME: medium glaucosity
LEMMA: medium glaucosity, white to yellow at maturity, medium density of pubescence on lateral and dorsal surface, medium tendency to be awned
KERNEL: basal hairs absent, light brown colour
SCUTELLUM: pointed, medium size
GROAT: dense pubescence

AGRONOMIC CHARACTERISTIC: good lodging resistance

DISEASE REACTIONS: resistant to moderately resistant to Crown rust (Puccinia coronata) and Leaf blight (Septoria avenae f. sp. avenae)

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Nicolas' (experimental designation OA1331-5) arose from the cross '09030-4' (female parent) by '08979-3' (male parent) conducted at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Eastern Cereal and Oilseeds Research Centre, Ottawa, Ontario in the winter of 2004. It was selected using the pedigree method up to the F4 and was tested as 09071-3-4-1-1 in 2008. In 2009, it was tested in the Eastern Cereal and Oilseeds Research Centre Home Test, advanced to the preliminary tests as OA1331-5 in 2010 and further tested in the Quebec Oat Registration and Recommendation trials from 2011 to 2013. In 2012 and 2013, it was also tested in the Eastern Cereal and Oilseeds Research Centre oat registration trials at up to 11 locations across Canada. The selection criteria included high yield, good groat percentage, disease resistance and good standability.

Tests & Trials: Comparative trials were conducted during the 2013 and 2014 growing seasons at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Eastern Cereal Oilseed Research Centre on the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ontario. Plots consisted of 4 rows with a row length of 3.6 metres and a row spacing of 23 cm. There were 4 replicates.

Comparison table for 'AAC Nicolas' with reference varieties 'Rigodon' and 'Dieter'

Number of days to heading

Click on image for larger view

Oat: 'AAC Nicolas' (left) with reference varieties 'Rigodon' (centre) and 'Dieter' (right)