AAC Captain

Oat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'AAC Reid' and 'Hidalgo'

Summary: At booting, the leaf below the flag leaf of 'AAC Captain' has absent to very sparse pubescence on the margin while that of 'Hidalgo' has sparse pubescence on the margin. The stem above and below the upper culm node of 'AAC Captain ' has absent to very sparse pubescence while the stem above and below the upper culm node of 'Hidalgo' has a medium density of pubescence. The branches on the panicle of 'AAC Captain' have a horizontal attitude while those of 'AAC Reid' and 'Hidalgo' have a semi-erect attitude. At the green stage, the angle between the rachis and dominant side branch on the panicle of 'AAC Captain' is 30 to 45 degrees while the angle is less than 30 degrees for 'AAC Reid' and 'Hidalgo'. At maturity, the lemma of 'AAC Captain' has an absent or very weak to weak tendency to be awned while that of 'AAC Reid' has a weak to medium tendency to be awned.

Description:

PLANT: hulled spring type, semi-erect growth habit at 5 to 9 tiller stage, medium frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves at booting

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

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

PANICLE (SHORTLY AFTER HEADING): equilateral/symmetrical orientation of branches, medium density, horizontal attitude of branches, 30 to 45 degree angle between rachis and dominant side branch
LOWEST PANICLE NODE: few short hairs or spines
SPIKELET: fracture type separation, semi-nodding attitude, two grains
GLUME: weak glaucosity
RACHILLA: medium length between primary and secondary floret, absent or very short grooves, sparse pubescence
LEMMA: weak glaucosity, medium extent of lateral overlap on palea, white at maturity, absent or very sparse pubescence on lateral and dorsal surface, absent or very weak to weak tendency to be awned

KERNEL: short basal hairs, white
GROAT: medium density of pubescence
SCUTELLUM: pointed tip, medium size

AGRONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS: good resistance to lodging

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Captain' (experimental designation OA1444-5-19) was developed using a modified single seed descent method followed by a pedigree method of plant breeding. 'AAC Captain' originated from a cross between the variety 'Hidalgo' and the line OA1271-3 conducted on November 8, 2010 at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa Research and Development Centre in Ottawa, Ontario. The line was advanced from F1 to F4 based on visual selection, followed by multi-location yield trials for three years. In 2017, one F7 line was designated as OA1444-5. Fifty F7 panicles were selected and grown as hill plots in 2018. A single F8 line was designated as OA1444-5-19 based on hull colour and crown rust resistance, and was tested in the 2018-2020 registration trials. Breeder seed was established at the F10 generation in 2023.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trials for 'AAC Captain' were conducted at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa Ontario in the 2021 and 2022 growing seasons. The trials were conducted using a RCB design consisting of 4 replications per variety. Each plot consisted of 6 rows spaced 18 cm apart, with a row length of 3.8 metres. The planting density of 350 seeds per square metre resulted in approximately 5600 plants per variety per year.

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Oat: 'AAC Captain' (left) with reference varieties 'AAC Reid' (centre) and 'Hidalgo' (right)

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Oat: 'AAC Captain' (left) with reference varieties 'Hidalgo' (centre) and 'AAC Reid' (right)