CDC Verona

Wheat

Variety Description

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

Summary: The anthocyanin colouration of the coleoptiles is absent or very weak in 'CDC Verona' while it strong in 'Strongfield' and weak to medium in 'Commander'. 'CDC Verona' has longer flag leaves than those of 'Strongfield' and 'Commander'. The frequency of plants with recurved/drooping flag leaves is medium in 'CDC Verona' while it is high in 'Strongfield' and high to very high in 'Commander'. The flag leaf attitude 'CDC Verona' is drooping while those of 'Strongfield' and 'AC Avonlea' are intermediate. The plants of 'CDC Verona' are taller than those of 'Commander'. 'CDC Verona' heads 3 days after 'Strongfield' and 'AC Avonlea' and 2 days after 'Commander'. The plants of 'CDC Verona' mature 4 days earlier than those of 'Commander'. The spike shape of 'CDC Verona' is parallel-sided while those of 'Strongfield' and 'Commander' are tapering and those of 'AC Avonlea' are semi-clavate. The spike density of 'CDC Verona' is medium while it is dense in 'Commander'. 'CDC Verona' has white spikes while those of 'Commander' are purple to black. The awns of 'CDC Verona' are light brown while those of 'Commander' are black. The lower glumes of 'CDC Verona' are medium whereas they are wide on 'Commander'.

Description:

PLANT: durum type, spring season maturity
SEEDLING (at four leaf stage): absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of coleoptiles, glabrous to slightly pubescent lower leaf sheath and blade

GROWTH HABIT (at 5-9 tiller stage): erect to semi-erect
FLAG LEAF (at booting): medium frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves, very weak to weak anthocyanin colouration on auricles, glabrous to slightly pubescent blade and sheath, drooping attitude

SPIKE: parallel sided, medium density, medium to strong glaucosity, white in colour with erect attitude at maturity
CULM: medium to strong glaucosity, strong curvature at maturity
STRAW: thin pith in cross section, absent to weak anthocyanin colouration at maturity
AWNS: present, longer than spike at the tip of spike, light brown, spreading attitude

LOWER GLUME: medium width, medium to long, glabrous
LOWER GLUME SHOULDER: straight, narrow to medium width
LOWER GLUME BEAK: slightly curved, short to medium length

KERNEL: hard amber, medium to large, elliptical in shape, predominantly rounded to slightly angular cheek, very short brush hairs, midsize oval germ, midwide width with mid-deep crease

Origin & Breeding History: 'CDC Verona' (experimental designation 'DT540') is the result of the cross D95253/D95212 made in 1996 at the Crop Development Centre of the University of Saskatchewan, using a bulk technique. The F1 was increased at a contra-season in New Zealand and the F2 was planted in Saskatchewan. F2 plants selected and bulk harvested were grown in New Zealand as the F3 generation. F4 and F5 generations were planted in Saskatchewan in a leaf/stem rust nursery. The line D44-2428 was identified based on maturity and height and grown in 2000-2001 in Saskatchewan and Alberta. The F7 generation was grown in a rust nursery in Saskatchewan and selected based on performance, disease resistance, and grain quality. D44-2428 was further evaluated in various locations in Saskatchewan and Alberta in the Western Durum Wheat A-test in 2002 and advanced for yield trialing in the 2003 Durum Wheat B-test. D44-2428 was evaluated as 'DT540' in the Durum Wheat co-operative tests from 2004 to 2006. Selection criteria were yield potential, plant maturity, plant height, disease resistance, and grain quality.

Tests & Trials: The trials of 'CDC Verona' (experimental designation DT540) were conducted during 2008 and 2009 at the Crop Science Research Farm, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. A two replicate, randomised complete block design was planted with each replicate consisting of 5 rows. The plot size was 4.5 square metres with a density of 230 plants per square metre.

Comparison tables for 'CDC Verona' with reference varieties 'Strongfield', 'Commander' and 'AC Avonlea'

Flag leaf: length (cm)

Heading (number of days from planting to 50% of heads fully emerged from boot)

Maturity (number of days from planting to maturity)

Height (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Wheat: 'CDC Verona' (centre left) with reference varieties 'AC Avonlea' (left), 'Commander' (centre right), and 'Strongfield' (right)