Alvena

Wheat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'AC Barrie', 'AC Elsa', 'Infinity' and 'Lovitt'

Summary: 'Alvena' matures earlier than the reference varieties. 'Alvena' has stronger glaucosity on the flag leaf sheath and the culm than the reference varieties. The awnlets and lower glume of 'Alvena' are longer than those of the reference varieties. 'Alvena' has a longer spike than 'AC Elsa' and 'Lovitt'.

Description:

YOUNG PLANT (4 leaf stage): medium anthocyanin colouration of coleoptiles, glabrous sheaths and lower leaf blades
PLANT: spring type, intermediate growth habit, medium tendency to recurved flag leaves
STEM AT MATURITY: thin pith in cross-section, very weak anthocyanin colouration
CULM NECK: medium to strong glaucosity, straight

FLAG LEAF: glabrous on upper side
FLAG LEAF SHEATH: glabrous, very strong glaucosity
FLAG LEAF AURICLES: absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration

SPIKE: parallel sided, medium density, erect to nodding attitude at maturity, medium to strong glaucosity, white at maturity
AWNLETS: short at tip of spike
LOWER GLUME: glabrous, straight and slightly sloping shoulder shape, medium to very narrow width shoulder, slightly curved beak shape, very short to short beak length
KERNEL: hard red type, medium red, oval to ovate, medium size, short, midwide, angular cheek shape, midlong brush hairs, midwide crease, shallow to mid-deep crease
GERM: midsize to large, oval

QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS: good shattering resistance, good drought tolerance, good bread quality

RESISTANCE TO DISEASE: moderately susceptible to Fusarium Head Blight (Fusarium graminearum), moderate resistance to Common Bunt (Tilletia caris, Tilletia foetida) and Leaf Rust (Puccinia triticina); resistant to Loose Smut (Ustilago tritici) and Stem Rust (Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici)

Origin & Breeding History: 'Alvena' (experimental designation PT213) originated from the cross BW711/BW693 made in 1998 at the Semiarid Prairie Agricultural Research Centre of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. One hundred and ninety nine doubled haploid lines were generated using the maize pollen method. Seed of the individual doubled haploid lines was inoculated with Common Bunt and grown in 1.5 m long rows. Spikes were selected based on disease resistance, early maturity and stem strength with acceptable height. The seed from each spike was grown out in 2m long rows at a winter nursery near Christchurch, New Zealand. Various assessments including agronomic performance and grain protein concentration were conducted on trials located in Swift Current and Regina, Saskatchewan. Reaction to Leaf Rust and Stem Rust was conducted near Glenlea, Manitoba. As well, grain quality and kernel characteristic assessments were done. Selected doubled haploid lines were screened for reaction to Loose Smut and Common Bunt. The above procedure resulted in an experimental doubled haploid line B9861 & DW016 being identified which met all of the selection criteria at each stage of selection. The experimental line B9861&DW016 was evaluated in the Western Bread Wheat 'A_3' test in 2001, Western Bread Wheat B test in 2002, and as PT213 in the Parkland Wheat Cooperative tests from 2003 to 2005.

Tests & Trials: 'Alvena' was trialed and tested for morphological characteristics at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Station in Swift Current, Saskatchewan during 2005 and 2006. Four replications of plots containing 4 rows, 3 metres in length spaced 23 cm apart were used for obtaining data. A Completely Randomized Block experimental design was used. 'Alvena' was also trialed and tested for agronomic characteristics, disease reaction and end-use suitability in the Parkland Wheat Co-operative Test 2003-2005 which consisted of three replications planted in a lattice design, grown at eight to ten locations each year. The letters in the comparison table below indicate statistical differences between treatment means using a Duncan's test based on an ANOVA of genotypes, replications and years.

Comparison tables for 'Alvena' with reference varieties 'AC Barrie', 'AC Elsa', 'Infinity' and 'Lovitt'

Flag leaf length (cm)

Flag leaf width (mm)

Days to heading

Spike length (cm)

Lower glume width (mm)

Lower glume length (mm)

Click on image for larger view

Wheat: 'Alvena' (left) with reference varieties 'AC Barrie' (centre left), 'AC Elsa' (centre), 'Infinity' (centre right) and 'Lovitt' (right)