AAC Roberval

Oat

Variety Description

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

Summary: At the 5 to 9 tiller stage, the juvenile growth habit of 'AAC Roberval' is intermediate between semi-erect and semi-prostrate whereas the juvenile growth habit of 'CDC Orrin' is semi-erect. The pubescence on the lower leaf blade of 'AAC Roberval' is absent to very sparse whereas it is of medium density on the lower leaf blade of 'CDC Orrin'. At booting, the glaucosity on the leaves of 'AAC Roberval' is strong whereas it is of medium intensity for 'AAC Richmond'. The pubescence on the stem above and below the upper culm node of 'AAC Roberval' is absent to very sparse whereas the pubescence is of medium density for 'CDC Orrin' and medium to dense for 'AAC Richmond'. 'AAC Roberval' heads earlier than 'AAC Richmond'. Shortly after heading at the green stage, the plants of 'AAC Roberval' are shorter than those of 'CDC Orrin'. 'AAC Roberval' has a shorter panicle than that of 'AAC Richmond'. At maturity, the lower glume of 'AAC Roberval' is shorter than that of 'CDC Orrin'.

Description:

PLANT: hulled spring type, medium frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves at booting

SEEDLING: juvenile growth habit is intermediate between semi-erect and semi-prostrate

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

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

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

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

AGRONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS: fair resistance to lodging

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Roberval' (experimental designations 09W55-87 and OA1436-1) originated from the cross made between 'AAC Richmond' (female parent) and 'Bradley' (male parent) at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Ottawa Research and Development Centre in Ottawa, Ontario in November of 2009. Developed using a modified single seed descent method, it was advanced to the F4 generation in the greenhouses from 2009 to early 2011. About 192 seeds were planted into cones in the F2 and F3 generations and 134 F4 panicle-hills grown in the field in 2011. Six hills (F4:5) were visually selected and tested in the 2012 Observation Nursery and two of the 6 lines (F4:6) were advanced to the 2013 Ottawa Research and Development Centre Home Test conducted at three locations in Eastern Canada. The line, designated as 09W55-87, was renamed as OA1436-1 and advanced to the Ottawa Research and Development Centre oat preliminary test in 2014 and the Quebec registration tests from 2015 to 2017. In 2014, 50 F6 panicles were randomly selected from a seed plot and grown as 50 hills in 2015. The hills were individually harvested and 27 of these were kept after visual seed selection. From these 27 plots grown in 2016, 24 lines were bulked to represent the new variety. 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 of 'AAC Roberval' were conducted during the 2018 and 2019 growing seasons at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa Research and Development Centre in Ottawa, Ontario. Plots consisted of four replications arranged in a RCB design with each plot 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 10 measurements in 2018 and 20 measurements in 2019 except for plant heights in 2018 that were based on 30 measurements. Mean differences were significant at the 5% probability level based on LSD values.

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

Days to heading (number of days from planting to 50% of heads fully emerged)

Plant height (culm plus panicle) (cm)

Panicle length (cm)

Lower glume length (mm)

Click on image for larger view

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