AAC Torrent

Oat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'AAC Richmond' and 'CDC Orrin'

Summary: At booting, the intensity of glaucosity on the leaves of 'AAC Torrent' is strong whereas it is of medium intensity for the reference varieties. The pubescence above and below the upper culm node on the stem of 'AAC Torrent' is absent or very sparse to sparse whereas it is of medium density for 'CDC Orrin' and dense above the upper culm node for 'AAC Richmond'. The plants of 'AAC Torrent' head later than those of 'AAC Richmond'. The plants of 'AAC Torrent' are shorter than those of 'AAC Richmond' and 'CDC Orrin'. The lemmas of 'AAC Torrent' have a medium tendency to be awned whereas the tendency is very strong for 'AAC Richmond'.

Description:

PLANT: spring hulless type, medium 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 to sparse pubescence above and below upper culm node

LOWER LEAF: absent to very sparse pubescence on sheath and blade at 5 to 9 tiller stage
LEAF (AT BOOTING): medium green, strong glaucosity, absent to very sparse pubescence on margin of penultimate leaf

PANICLE: equilateral (symmetrical) orientation, medium density, horizontal attitude of branches, less than 30 degree angle between rachis and dominant side branch
LOWEST PANICLE NODE: few hairs or spines
GLUME: medium glaucosity
LEMMA: medium glaucosity, small extent of lateral overlap on palea, yellow at maturity, absent to very sparse pubescence on lateral and dorsal surfaces, medium tendency to be awned
SPIKELET: semi-abscission type separation, semi-nodding attitude
RACHILLA: medium length between primary and secondary florets, absent or very short grooves, very dense pubescence

KERNEL (PRIMARY KERNELS FROM UPPER SPIKELETS): yellow, basal hairs absent
SCUTELLUM: pointed tip, medium size
GROAT: medium density of pubescence

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Torrent' (experimental designations 09J035-1-65-1 and OA1395-1) originated from the cross made between 'CDC Profi' (female parent) and 'OA1189-4' (male parent) at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Ottawa Research and Development Centre in Ottawa, Ontario in November of 2008. Developed using a modified single seed descent method, it was advanced to the F4 generation in the greenhouses from 2008 to early 2010. About 192 seeds were planted into cones in each generation and 90 panicle-hills grown in the field in 2010. Five hills were selected and tested in the 2011 Observation Nursery and these 5 lines were advanced to the 2012 Ottawa Research and Development Centre Home Test conducted at three locations in Eastern Canada. In 2013, 50 panicles were randomly selected from a seed plot and grown into 50 hills in 2014. The hills were individually harvested and 32 of these were kept after visual seed selection. From these 32 plots grown in 2015, three lines of similar heights were bulked to represent the new variety. The line, designated as 09J035-1-65-1, was renamed as OA1395-1 and advanced to the Ottawa Research and Development Centre oat preliminary test in 2013 and the registration tests from 2014 and 2016. Selection criteria included yield, plant height, lodging resistance and quality such as kernel weight, test weight, groat, oil, protein and beta glucan content.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trials for 'AAC Torrent' were conducted during the 2017 and 2018 growing seasons at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa Research and Development Centre in Ottawa, Ontario. The plots consisted of 4 replicates per variety consisting of 6 rows measuring 3.8 metres long with a row spacing of 18 cm. The planting density was 330 plants per metre square. For each variety, measured characteristics were based on a minimum of 20 measurements per year. Mean differences were significant at the 5% probability level based on LSD values.

Comparison tables for 'AAC Torrent' with reference varieties 'AAC Richmond' and 'CDC Orrin'

Days to heading

Plant height (culm plus panicle) (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Oat: 'AAC Torrent' (left) with reference varieties 'AAC Richmond' (centre) and 'CDC Orrin' (right)