Eurostar

Wheat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'AC Avonlea', 'Commander', 'AC Navigator' and 'Strongfield'

Summary: 'Eurostar' has stronger anthocyanin colouration of the coleoptile than 'Commander' and 'AC Navigator'. 'Eurostar' has stronger anthocyanin colouration of the flag leaf auricles than 'AC Avonlea', 'Commander' and 'Strongfield'. The plants of 'Eurostar' are taller than those of the reference varieties. 'Eurostar' has longer awns than 'AC Avonlea' and 'Strongfield'. The spike colour of 'Eurostar' is white whereas it is black for 'Commander' and 'AC Navigator'. 'Eurostar' has longer spikes than 'Commander', 'AC Navigator' and 'Strongfield'.

Description:

PLANT: durum type, erect growth habit
SEEDLING: strong to very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration of coleoptile, glabrous lower leaf sheaths, glabrous on lower leaf blades

FLAG LEAF: low frequency of plants with recurved/drooping flag leaves, glabrous blades and sheaths, weak to moderate anthocyanin colouration of auricles, strong to very strong glaucosity of sheath

CULM NECK: strong glaucosity
STRAW: thin pith in cross section, no anthocyanin colouration at maturity

SPIKE: tapering shape, dense, yellow at maturity, strong to very strong glaucosity, white awns present, medium length awns, very strongly spreading awn attitude
LOWER GLUME: medium to long, glabrous, slightly sloping to elevated shoulder, very narrow to narrow shoulder, straight to slightly curved beak, short to long beak

KERNEL: durum type, amber colour, medium to large kernel, elliptic shape, angular cheek shape, short brush hairs, medium width crease, medium deep crease
GERM: large, oval shape

DISEASE RESISTANCE: moderately susceptible to Fusarium head blight (Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium species), resistant to Common bunt (Tilletia caries, Tilletia foetida), moderately susceptible to susceptible to Loose smut (Ustilago tritici), resistant to Leaf rust (Puccinia triticina), resistant to Stem rust (Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici), moderately resistant to moderately susceptible to Tan spot (Pyrenophora triticirepentis), and moderately resistant to moderately susceptible to Septoria tritici blotch (Septoria tritici)

Origin & Breeding History: 'Eurostar' was selected from the cross G9575B-AA09C/ DT498//DT691 made in 1999. F1 plants were grown in the greenhouse, from which seed was harvested and bulked. The F2 generation was grown in a space-planted leaf and stem rust epiphytotic field nursery near Swift Current in 2000 and selected for rust resistance, plant height, straw strength and maturity. Individual heads from selected plants were grown in F3 rows near Lincoln, New Zealand, in 2000-2001 and selected for plant height, straw strength and maturity. The F4 generation was grown in un-replicated yield trials near Swift Current and Regina, Saskatchewan, in 2001 and evaluated for test weight, grain pigment and protein concentration, and five heads per selected line were sown in individual F5 rows in a nursery near Irwell, New Zealand, and selected for plant height, straw strength and maturity. The F6 generation was grown in un-replicated yield trials near Swift Current and Regina, Saskatchewan, and Lethbridge, Alberta, in 2002, selected for agronomic performance, disease resistance and quality (protein, pigment, gluten strength), and five heads per selected line were sown in individual F7 rows in a nursery near Irwell, New Zealand. Un-replicated F8 yield trials were grown near Swift Current (rain fed and irrigated), Regina and Lethbridge (irrigated) in 2003 and selected for agronomic performance, disease resistance and quality (protein, pigment, gluten strength). An F6-derived F9 line designated A9930-QX2C was advanced to the Durum Central A Test (five locations) in 2004, where evaluation included Fusarium head blight (FHB) assessment in a nursery near Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, and loose smut leaf and stem rust in nurseries near Glenlea, Manitoba. Reactions to these diseases were further evaluated in the Durum Cooperative Test at nurseries near Glenlea and Carman, Manitoba, along with common bunt, which was evaluated in a nursery near Lethbridge, Alberta. A9930-QX2C was tested from 2005 to 2007 in the four replicate Durum Cooperative Test as DT776.

Tests & Trials: Test and trials for 'Eurostar' were conducted during the summers of 2007 and 2008 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. The plot size was 2.73 meter square and consisted of 4 rows. There were 4 replicates arranged in a RCB design.

Comparison tables for 'Eurostar' with reference varieties 'AC Avonlea', 'Commander', 'AC Navigator' and 'Strongfield'

Plant height (including awns) (cm)

Spike length (excluding awns) (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Wheat: 'Eurostar' (DT776) (left) with reference varieties 'AC Avonlea' (centre left), 'Commander' (centre), 'AC Navigator' (centre right) and 'Strongfield' (right)

Click on image for larger view

Wheat: 'Eurostar' (DT776) (left) with reference varieties 'AC Avonlea' (centre left), 'Commander' (centre), 'AC Navigator' (centre right) and 'Strongfield' (right)

Click on image for larger view

Wheat: 'Eurostar' (DT776) (upper left) with reference varieties 'AC Avonlea' (upper centre), 'Commander' (upper right), 'AC Navigator' (bottom left) and 'Strongfield' (bottom right)