Altona

Soybean

Variety Description

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

Summary: When the cotyledons are completely unfolded, the hypocotyl of ‘Altona' has a medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration whereas the hypocotyl of ‘Neptune' has a strong anthocyanin colouration. When 50% of the flowers are open, the growth type of ‘Altona' is indeterminate whereas it is semi-determinate for ‘Atacama'. The branch attitude of ‘Altona' is erect to semi-erect whereas it is semi-erect to horizontal for ‘Ajico'. The terminal leaflet of ‘Altona' is small whereas those of ‘Ajico' and ‘Atacama' are medium sized. The intensity of green colour of the leaf of ‘Altona' is medium whereas it is dark for ‘Neptune'. When 95% of the pods are ripe, the intensity of brown colour of the pod of ‘Altona' is medium to dark whereas it is light for ‘Ajico'. The plants of ‘Altona' are taller than those of ‘Neptune', ‘Ajico' and ‘OAC Evolution' and shorter than those of ‘Atacama'. At maturity, the one hundred seed weight of ‘Altona' is less than that of ‘Neptune' and ‘Ajico' whereas it is greater than that of ‘OAC Evolution' and ‘Atacama'. The shape of the seed of ‘Altona' is elongated whereas it is spherical flattened for ‘Ajico', ‘OAC Evolution' and ‘Atacama'. The seed of ‘Altona' has an intermediate glossiness whereas the seed of ‘Neptune' is opaque. The plants of ‘Altona' mature earlier than the plants of ‘Neptune' and ‘OAC Evolution'.

Description:

HYPOCOTYL: medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration

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

LEAF: medium to strong degree of blistering, medium green, terminal leaflets small and ovoid, lateral leaflets small and pointed ovate.

FLOWER: violet

POD: medium to dark brown
SEED: medium to large, elongated, yellow ground colour of testa with intermediate glossiness
HILUM: imperfect yellow

Origin & Breeding History: ‘Altona' originated from a cross between the varieties ‘SY Livius' and ‘SY Emily' conducted in 2012 in Probstdorf, Austria using the pedigree method of plant breeding. From 2012 to 2014, four generations were advanced by single pod decent method, line selection and yield testing. Selection criteria included yield, seed quality traits and lodging resistance. ‘Altona' was selected at the F4 generation. Breeder seed was produced from eighteen selected F8 lines in 2018.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for ‘Altona' was conducted in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec during the 2023 growing season. The trial was planted in a RCB design and consisted of 3 replicates for each variety. Plots consisted of 3 rows, 5 metres in length and a row spacing of 56 cm. The trial consisted of 400 plants per variety. Measured characteristics were based on 20 measurements per variety. Mean differences were significant at the 5% confidence probability level based on a Student's t-test. Results were supported by the official technical examination report 458546 (432205), purchased from the National Food Chain Safety Office in Budapest, Hungary.

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

Plant height (cm)

Seed weight (grams per 100 seeds) (g)

Number of days to maturity (from planting to maturity)

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Soybean: ‘Altona' (centre) with reference varieties ‘Neptune' (left), ‘Ajico' (centre left), ‘OAC Evolution' (centre right) and ‘Atacama' (right)

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

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