CDC Westgate

Oat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'CDC Haymaker' and 'CDC Nasser'

Summary: The flag leaf of ‘CDC Westgate' is larger than that of ‘CDC Nasser'. The plants of ‘CDC Westgate' reach heading stage later than those of the reference varieties. After heading at the green stage, the plants of ‘CDC Westgate' are taller than those of the reference varieties. The orientation of branches of the panicle of ‘CDC Westgate' is unilateral/side panicle whereas that of ‘CDC Nasser' is equilateral/symmetrical. The lemma glaucosity of ‘CDC Westgate' is weak whereas it is medium-strong to strong for ‘CDC Nasser'. The panicle of ‘CDC Westgate' is longer than that of ‘CDC Nasser'. At maturity, the length of the rachilla between the primary and secondary florets of ‘CDC Westgate' is long to very long while that of ‘CDC Nasser' is medium to long. The pubescence of the rachilla of ‘CDC Westgate' is medium density whereas it is sparse for ‘CDC Nasser'. In the central third of the panicle, the lower glume of ‘CDC Westgate' is shorter than that of ‘CDC Haymaker' and longer than that of ‘CDC Nasser'. The lemma colour of ‘CDC Westgate' is reddish brown whereas that of ‘CDC Haymaker' is white and that of ‘CDC Nasser' is reddish brown yellow. The basal hairs of the primary kernels in the upper spikelets of ‘CDC Westgate' are longer than those of the reference varieties. The kernels of ‘CDC Westgate' are heavier and longer than those of ‘CDC Nasser' and are lighter and shorter than those of ‘CDC Haymaker'.

Description:

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

STEM: ranging between medium and medium to dense pubescence above and below upper culm node

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

PANICLE (SHORTLY AFTER HEADING): unilateral/side panicle orientation of branches, very lax to lax density, erect attitude of branches, less than 30 degree angle between rachis and dominant side branches, few to medium number of short hairs or spines on the lower node
SPIKELET: nodding, two grains, fracture separation
RACHILLA: long to very long length between primary and secondary floret, ranging between medium and medium to long grooves
GLUME: weak glaucosity
LEMMA: reddish brown at maturity, absent or very sparse pubescence on lateral and dorsal surface, medium tendency to be awned, medium to large lateral overlap on palea

GROAT: dense pubescence
KERNEL: light brown, basal hairs ranging between medium and medium to long length,
SCUTELLUM: pointed tip, ranging between medium and medium to large

AGRONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS: ranging between fair to good and good lodging resistance

Origin & Breeding History: ‘CDC Westgate' (experimental designation ‘SA152324') originated from a cross conducted under a glass greenhouse between ‘SA060078' and ‘CDC Haymaker' at the Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in the winter of 2010 to 2011. It was developed using a modified bulk breeding system. Early generations were grown as bulk populations in Saskatoon and New Zealand. Individual panicles were selected in the F5 and F6 generations based on general seed characteristics. ‘SA152324' was selected at the F6 generation and tested in yield and forage trials between 2015 and 2022. Selection criteria included both forage as well as grain yield and quality characteristics. Breeder seed was created in the F15 generation in 2023.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trials for ‘CDC Westgate' were conducted at Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in the 2023 and 2024 growing seasons. The trials were conducted using a RCB design consisting of 4 replications per variety. Each plot consisted of 5 rows spaced 20 cm apart, with a row length of 3.66 metres. The planting density of 215 plants per square metre resulted in approximately 5600 plants per variety per year. Measured characteristics were based on a minimum of 24 measurements per variety per year except kernel weight, which was based on 10 and 6 measurements of 1000 kernels per variety in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Mean differences were significant at the 5% probability level based on LSD values.

Comparison tables for 'CDC Westgate' with reference varieties 'CDC Haymaker' and 'CDC Nasser'

Flag leaf width (at booting) (mm)

Flag leaf length (at booting) (cm)

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

Plant height (culm plus panicle at green stage) (cm)

Panicle length (at green stage) (cm)

Lower glume length (mm)

Kernel weight (grams per 1000 kernels)

Kernel length (primary grain) (mm)

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Oat: 'CDC Westgate' (centre) with reference varieties 'CDC Haymaker' (left) and 'CDC Nasser' (right)

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Oat: 'CDC Westgate' (centre) with reference varieties 'CDC Haymaker' (left) and 'CDC Nasser' (right)

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Oat: 'CDC Westgate' (centre) with reference varieties 'CDC Haymaker' (left) and 'CDC Nasser' (right)