AAC Marquis

Oat

Variety Description

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

Summary: At booting, the flag leaf of 'AAC Marquis' is longer than that of ‘CDC Orrin'. At the green stage, ‘AAC Marquis' heads later than that of ‘Orrin'. The panicle of 'AAC Marquis' is longer than that of 'CDC Orrin'. The glume of 'AAC Marquis' has medium glaucosity while that of ‘AAC Nicolas' has weak glaucosity. The lower glume of 'AAC Marquis' is longer than that of ‘AAC Nicolas'. The thousand kernel weight of 'AAC Marquis' is greater than that of ‘AAC Nicolas'.

Description:

PLANT: spring hulled type, juvenile growth habit is intermediate between semi-erect and semi-prostrate, absent or very sparse pubescence on lower leaf sheath and blade, medium frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves at booting

STEM (AT MATURITY): absent to very sparse pubescence above and below upper culm node at booting

LEAF: medium intensity of glaucosity at green stage, medium green, absent to very sparse pubescence of margin

PANICLE: equilateral/symmetrical branch orientation, medium density, semi-erect attitude of branches, less than 30 degree angle between dominant side branch and rachis, few hairs or spines on lowest node
GLUME: medium glaucosity
SPIKELET: semi-abscission separation, semi-nodding attitude, 2 grains
RACHILLA: medium length between primary and secondary floret, absent or very short grooves, sparse pubescence
LEMMA: weak glaucosity, small extent of lateral overlap on palea, white at maturity, absent to very sparse pubescence on lateral and dorsal surface, medium tendency to be awned

KERNEL: basal hairs absent, cream coloured
GROAT: medium density of pubescence
SCUTELLUM: pointed tip, medium size

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Marquis' (experimental designation OA1658-1) originated from the cross made between OA1331-5 and OA1391-1 at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Ottawa Research and Development Centre in Ottawa, Ontario on November 11, 2014. The cross was advanced to the F4 in the greenhouse. In May 2016, 200 F4:5 individuals were planted as hill plots in Ottawa. Fourteen lines were visually selected, grown and tested in the 2017 Observation Nursery. Of the 14 lines, 5 were advanced to the 2018 Ottawa Research and Development Centre Home Test conducted at 3 locations in Eastern Canada and 2 lines were further advanced to the preliminary nationwide trials conducted at 9 locations across Canada in 2019. A single line, designated as OA1658-1, was advanced to the Ottawa Research and Development Centre trials at 8 Canadian locations in 2020 and again in 2021 and 2022. Selection criteria before yield trials included plant height, architecture, crown rust resistance, seed size, colour and uniformity.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trials for 'AAC Marquis' were conducted during the 2022 and 2023 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 350 plants per metre square. For each variety, the measurements were based on a minimum of 20 measurements per year, except for seed weight which was based on 4 measurements. The mean differences are significant at the 5% probability level based on a paired Student's T-test.

Comparison tables for 'AAC Marquis' with reference varieties 'AAC Nicolas' and 'CDC Orrin'

Flag leaf length (cm)

Days to heading (when 50% of panicles are fully emerged)

Panicle length (cm)

Lower glume length (mm)

Kernel weight (grams per 1000 kernels)

Click on image for larger view

Oat: 'AAC Marquis' (centre) with reference varieties 'AAC Nicolas' (left) and 'CDC Orrin' (right)