Atacama

Soybean

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Neptune', 'Ajico', 'OAC Evolution' and 'Albenga'

Summary: The anthocyanin colouration on the hypocotyl of 'Atacama' is of medium intensity whereas the intensity of anthocyanin colouration is strong on 'Neptune'. When 50% of the flowers are open, the branching attitude of 'Atacama' is semi-erect whereas the branch attitude of 'Ajico' is semi-erect to horizontal. The leaves of 'Atacama' are a medium green colour whereas the leaves of 'Neptune' are dark green. When 95% of the pods are ripe, the pubescence on the middle third of the stem of 'Atacama' is tawny whereas it is light tawny on 'Albenga'. The plants of 'Atacama' are shorter than the plants of 'OAC Evolution' and 'Albenga'. The intensity of brown colour on the pod of 'Atacama' is medium to dark whereas the intensity is weak on the pod of 'Ajico'. The plants of 'Atacama' mature earlier than the plants of 'OAC Evolution' and 'Albenga'. At maturity, the shape of the seed of 'Atacama' is spherical flattened whereas the seed shape is elongated for that of 'Neptune' and 'Albenga'. The seed weight of 'Atacama' is less than that of 'Neptune', 'Ajico' and 'Albenga'.

Description:

HYPOCOTYL: medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration

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

LEAF: medium blistering, ovoid shaped terminal leaflet, small terminal leaflet, pointed ovate lateral leaflet, small lateral leaflet, medium green colour

FLOWER: violet

POD: medium to dark brown
SEED: medium size, spherical flattened, yellow ground colour of testa
HILUM: imperfect yellow, opaque to intermediate glossiness, yellow funicle

Origin & Breeding History: 'Atacama' (experimental designation SZD4588) originated from a cross made in Reichersberg, Austria between 'SY Emily' and 'ES Mentor' in 2011. The crossed material was derived using a single-pod descent technique until the F4 generation when a single plant was selected for maturity, protein content, yield, lodging resistance and resistance to pod shattering in 2012. Seed from this plant was harvested and maintained by pedigree selection until the F4:7 generation when 9 plants were selected for morphological uniformity in 2015 to establish breeder seed.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trials for 'Atacama' were conducted in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Canada in 2020 and 2021. The trials were planted in a RCB design with 3 replicates per variety. Each plot was 8.4 square metres and consisted of three 5 metre long rows spaced 0.56 metres apart. A seeding density of 26 seeds per linear metre resulted in 400 plants per replicate per variety. Measurements were taken from 20 plants or parts of 20 plants of each variety per year except for the seed weight with 10 measurements per variety per year. Mean differences were significant at the 5% probability level based on paired Student's t-test.

Comparison tables for 'Atacama' with reference varieties 'Neptune', 'Ajico', 'OAC Evolution' and 'Albenga'

Plant height (cm)

Seed weight (grams per 100 seeds) (g)

Time of maturity (number of days from planting to maturity)

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Soybean: 'Atacama' (centre) with reference varieties 'Albenga' (top left), 'OAC Evolution' (top right), 'Ajico' (bottom left) and 'Neptune' (bottom right)

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Soybean: 'Atacama' (centre) with reference varieties 'Albenga' (top left), 'Neptune' (top right), 'OAC Evolution' (bottom left) and 'Ajico' (bottom right)

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Soybean: 'Atacama' (centre) with reference varieties 'Albenga' (top left), 'Ajico' (top right), 'Neptune' (bottom left) and 'OAC Evolution' (bottom right)