Chiba

Soybean

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Ajico' and 'Etna'

Summary: The intensity of anthocyanin colouration on the hypocotyl of 'Chiba' is of medium intensity whereas it is strong for the reference varieties. The plants of 'Chiba' begin flowering early while those of the reference varieties begin flowering mid-season. When 50% of the flowers are open, the branching attitude of 'Chiba' is erect to semi-erect whereas it is semi-erect to horizontal on 'Ajico'. When 95% of the pods are ripe, the plants of 'Chiba' are taller than those of the reference varieties. The intensity of brown colour on the pod of 'Chiba' is of medium intensity whereas it is light for 'Ajico' and dark for 'Etna'.

Description:

PLANT: oilseed type, indeterminate growth type, erect to semi-erect branch attitude, tawny pubescence on middle third of main stem, begins flowering early, matures mid-season

HYPOCOTYL: medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: pointed ovate lateral leaflet

FLOWER: violet

POD: medium brown
SEED: spherical flattened, yellow ground colour of testa
HILUM: yellow

Origin & Breeding History: 'Chiba' (experimental designations C4M17228 and T1603-2) originated from a cross between two proprietary selections conducted in 2009, in Tupperville, Ontario. A modified single seed descent method was used to develop the variety. In 2010, the F1 generation, grown in Saint-Simon, Quebec, was harvested in bulk and individual plants were selected from the F2 generation in 2011. In Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, row plots of the F3 generation were grown and selected followed by plot evaluations from 2013 to 2014. 'Chiba' was identified at the F5 generation in 2014. The selection criteria were based on a visual assessment of lodging resistance, number of pods per plant, pod density on the plant (internode length), absence of disease symptoms and protein content.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trials for 'Chiba' were conducted at the Coop fédérée Research Farm in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec. The trials were planted in a RCB design with 4 replicates per variety in 2019 and 2 replicates per variety in 2021. Each 6.0 square metre plot consisted of 4 rows, each 4.5 metres long with a row spacing of 0.38 metres. The seeding density was such that it resulted in a total of 40 plants per variety per square metre. For each variety, the plant height was based on 20 measurements. Mean differences were significant at the 5% probability level based on a Tukey test.

Comparison table for 'Chiba' with reference varieties 'Ajico' and 'Etna'

Plant height (cm)

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Soybean: 'Chiba' (left) with reference varieties 'Ajico' (centre) and 'Etna' (right)

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Soybean: 'Chiba' (top left) with reference varieties 'Ajico' (top right) and 'Etna' (bottom right)