AAC Brandon

Wheat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'AAC Elie', 'Alsen', 'Carberry', 'ND744' and 'Superb'

Summary: The intensity of the anthocyanin colouration of the coleoptile of 'AAC Brandon' is strong to very strong whereas the intensity is medium on 'Alsen' and weak to medium on 'Carberry' and 'ND744'. The anthocyanin colouration of the flag leaf auricles of 'AAC Brandon' is absent or very weak whereas it is weak on 'ND744' and strong on 'Superb'. 'AAC Brandon' has longer flag leaves than 'Carberry' and 'Superb'. The spikes of 'AAC Brandon' emerge from the boot earlier than those of 'Superb'. The plants of 'AAC Brandon' are shorter than those of 'Superb'. The kernel shape of 'AAC Brandon' is elliptical whereas it is oval to broad elliptical in 'AAC Elie', 'Carberry' and 'Superb' and oval in 'Alsen'. The kernel brush hairs of 'AAC Brandon' are medium to long whereas they are short on 'AAC Elie' and short to medium length on 'Alsen' and 'Superb'. The kernel crease of 'AAC Brandon' is narrow whereas it is medium-wide to wide on 'AAC Elie' and medium to wide on 'Alsen', 'Carberry', 'ND744' and 'Superb'.

Description:

PLANT: spring type, intermediate growth habit at the 5 to 9 tiller stage, heads emerge early to mid-season

SEEDLING: strong to very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration of coleoptile, glabrous lower leaf sheaths and blades

FLAG LEAF: high frequency of plants with recurved/drooping flag leaves, absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration of auricles, medium glaucosity of sheath, glabrous blade and sheath

CULM NECK: medium glaucosity
STRAW: thin pith in cross section, no anthocyanin colouration at maturity
SPIKE: medium glaucosity, tapering to parallel-sided shape, medium density, white with copper striations at maturity, inclined attitude, absent or very sparse hairiness of convex surface of apical rachis segment
AWNS: shorter than to equal to the length of spike, light brown
LOWER GLUME: long, medium width
LOWER GLUME SHOULDER: medium to broad, elevated shape
LOWER GLUME BEAK: medium length, slightly curved

KERNEL: dark red colour, medium size, elliptical shape, rounded cheek, medium to long brush hairs, narrow and shallow crease
GERM: medium to large, round in shape

DISEASE REACTION: resistant to Leaf Rust (Puccinia triticina) and Stem Rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) and Loose Smut (Ustilago tritici); moderately susceptible to Common Bunt (Tilletia laevis, Tilletia tritici) and moderately resistant to Fusarium Head Blight (Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium species)

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Brandon' (experimental designation 'BW932') is derived from the cross 'Superb' / 'CDC Osler' // 'ND744' made in 2003 at the Semiarid Prairie Agricultural Research Centre of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Swift Current, Saskatchewan. About 10,000 F2 seeds were inoculated with Common Bunt and planted in a rust epiphytotic nursery. Disease-free, semi-dwarf plants with strong straw and early maturing individual plants were selected, threshed and selected for kernel characteristics. Seed of the F3 generation was grown in a contra-season nursery in New Zealand where selections were made based on relative maturity, plant height and straw strength. The F4, F6 and F8 lines were planted and screened in various locations in Western Canada (Swift Current, Indian Head and Regina, Saskatchewan; and Morden, Manitoba) and assessed for agronomic performance, grain quality and kernel attributes. The F5 and F7 generations were grown in nurseries in New Zealand. Selected F8 lines were screened for resistance to mixtures of Loose Smut and Common Bunt. Through this breeding process, the experimental line B0313-CK03Z was selected at each process and in 2008 was evaluated as 'BW932' in the Western Bread Wheat A_2 test and entered in the Western Bread Wheat Cooperative tests from 2009 to 2011.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials were conducted at the Semiarid Prairie Agricultural Research Centre, Swift Current, Saskatchewan in 2011 and 2012. Plots consisted of 4 rows, each 5 metres long with an inter-row spacing of 23 cm with 4 replications per variety arranged in an RCB design. There were 40 leaf and 20 spike measurements. Plant height measurements were recorded as an average in each replicated plot. Means are based on a two year average. Differences are significant at the 5% probability level based on LSD values.

Comparison tables for 'AAC Brandon' with reference varieties 'AAC Elie', 'Alsen', 'Carberry', 'ND744' and 'Superb'

Flag leaf length (cm)

Number of days to heading

Plant height at maturity (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Wheat: 'AAC Brandon' (far right) with reference varieties 'Alsen' (far left), 'Carberry' (second from left), 'ND744' (centre left), 'Superb' (centre right) and 'AAC Elie' (second from right)