Marechal

Oat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'AC Gwen' and 'Shadow'

Summary: At booting, the pubescence on the margin of the leaf below the flag leaf is absent or very sparse for 'Marechal' whereas the pubescence is sparse for 'Shadow' and of medium density for 'AC Gwen'. 'Marechal' has a high frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves whereas the frequency is low for 'AC Gwen' and low to medium for 'Shadow'. The pubescence on the stem of 'Marechal' is absent or very sparse above and below the upper culm node whereas the pubescence is of medium density for the reference varieties. 'Marechal' heads later than the reference varieties. Shortly after heading at the green stage, the panicle of 'Marechal' is longer than those of the reference varieties. At maturity, the lemma of 'Marechal' is yellow whereas it is white for 'AC Gwen'. Basal hairs are present on the kernel of 'Marechal' whereas they are absent on the kernel of 'Shadow'. The shape of the scutellum is rounded for 'Marechal' whereas it is pointed for the reference varieties.

Description:

PLANT: spring hulless type, high frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves at booting
SEEDLING: juvenile growth habit is intermediate between semi-erect and semi-prostrate

STEM: absent or very sparse pubescence above and below upper culm node

LOWER LEAF: absent or very sparse pubescence on sheath and blade at 5 to 9 tiller stage
LEAF (at booting): medium to dark green, weak glaucosity, absent or very sparse pubescence on margin of leaf below flag leaf

PANICLE: equilateral (symmetrical) orientation, lax, semi-erect to horizontal attitude of branches, more than 45 degree angle between rachis and dominant side branch
LOWEST PANICLE NODE: no hairs or spines
GLUME: weak glaucosity
LEMMA: weak glaucosity, large extent of lateral overlap on palea, yellow at maturity, absent or very sparse pubescence on lateral and dorsal surfaces, absent or very weak tendency to be awned
SPIKELET: fracture separation, nodding attitude
RACHILLA: medium to long, glabrous

KERNEL (primary kernels from upper spikelets): cream coloured, basal hairs present and very short
SCUTELLUM: rounded, medium size
GROAT: strong pubescence

Origin & Breeding History: 'Marechal' (experimental designation 'C3M16085') is the result of an initial cross between proprietary selections conducted in 1999 in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, USA. The variety was obtained using a modified pedigree selection breeding method. A single plant was selected from the F4 generation. The selection criteria were yield, lodging resistance, maturity, test weight, 1000 kernel weight and disease resistance. Seed multiplication began in 2010 from a panicle selected from the F12 generation. 'C3M16085' was tested for the first time in 2007 by La Coop fédérée in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, based on the selection criteria listed above. 'C3M14016' was entered in the Réseau Grandes Cultures du Québec's registration trials from 2014 to 2016.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trials for 'Marechal' were conducted at La Coop fédérée's crop production research farm in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, during the 2017 and 2018 growing seasons. There were three replicates per variety, each arranged in a randomized complete block design and covering a plot size of 7.5 square metres. Each plot consisted of 4 rows, 5 metres long, with a row spacing of 38 cm. The seeding density was over 4150 plants per variety. The measured characteristics were based on a minimum of 21 measurements per variety. Mean differences were significant at the 5% probability level based on least significant difference (LSD) values.

Comparison tables for 'Marechal' with reference varieties 'AC Gwen' and 'Shadow'

Days to heading

Panicle length (cm)

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Oat: 'Marechal' (centre) with reference varieties 'AC Gwen' (left) and 'Shadow' (right)

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Oat: 'Marechal' (left) with reference varieties 'AC Gwen' (centre) and 'Shadow' (right)