Castor R2X

Soybean

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Vidar R2X', 'Sunna R2X' and 'Woden R2X'

Summary: The intensity of anthocyanin colouration on the hypocotyl of 'Castor R2X' is weak whereas it is of medium intensity for the reference varieties. When 50% of the flowers are open, the branching attitude of 'Castor R2X' is erect to semi-erect whereas it is semi-erect to horizontal for 'Sunna R2X'. On the middle third of the main stem, the pubescence of 'Castor R2X' is light tawny whereas it is tawny for 'Vidar R2X' and 'Sunna R2X'. When 95% of the pods are ripe, the plants of 'Castor R2X' are shorter than those of the reference varieties. The lateral leaflet of 'Castor R2X' is medium sized while that of 'Vidar R2X' is large and that of 'Sunna R2X' is small. The intensity of green colour on the leaf of 'Castor R2X' is light whereas it is medium for the reference varieties. The intensity of brown colour on the pod of 'Castor R2X' is light to medium whereas it is medium to dark for 'Vidar R2X' and 'Sunna R2X'. The hilum of the seed of 'Castor R2X' is imperfect yellow whereas it is black for 'Vidar R2X' and 'Woden R2X' and grey for 'Sunna R2X'. The plants of 'Castor R2X' mature earlier than those of the reference varieties.

Description:

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

HYPOCOTYL: weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: medium sized pointed ovate lateral leaflet, light green

FLOWER: violet

POD: light to medium brown

SEED: small to medium sized, spherical flattened, light yellow ground colour of testa
HILUM: imperfect yellow

REACTION TO PHOTOPERIOD: very sensitive

Origin & Breeding History: 'Castor R2X' (experimental designations C4M19342 XT and D1701-5) originated from a cross between 'Akras R2' and 'C411XK549.K01.K002 conducted in the summer of 2013 in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec. A modified single seed descent method was used to develop the variety. From 2013 to 2014, the F1 to F4 generations were grown in a nursery in Puerto Rico. In 2015, 'Castor R2X' was identified as a single plant at the F5 generation in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec. The selection criteria were based on a visual assessment of resistance to lodging, maturity date and yield. The variety was further tested in trials from 2015 to 2021. In 2020, 25 lines were selected and bulked to produce the breeder seed.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trials for 'Castor R2X' were conducted at Sollio Agriculture Research Farm in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec in 2022 and 2023. The 5 square metre plot trials were planted in a RCB design with 4 replicates per variety and each row measuring 4.5 metres long. In 2022, the plot consisted of 3 rows with a row spacing of 0.5 metres while in 2023, the plot consisted of 4 rows with a row spacing of 0.36 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 per year. Mean differences were significant at the 5% probability level based on a Tukey test.

Comparison tables for 'Castor R2X' with reference varieties 'Vidar R2X', 'Sunna R2X' and 'Woden R2X'

Plant height (when 95% of the pods are ripe) (cm)

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

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Soybean: 'Castor R2X' (middle right) with reference varieties 'Vidar R2X' (right), 'Sunna R2X' (middle left) and 'Woden R2X' (left)

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Soybean: 'Castor R2X' (bottom right) with reference varieties 'Vidar R2X' (bottom left), 'Sunna R2X' (top left) and 'Woden R2X' (top right)

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Soybean: 'Castor R2X' (bottom left) with reference varieties 'Vidar R2X' (top left), 'Sunna R2X' (bottom right) and 'Woden R2X' (top right)