AAC Elie

Wheat

Variety Description

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

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

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: longer than length of spike, light brown
LOWER GLUME: long, medium width
LOWER GLUME SHOULDER: broad, elevated shape
LOWER GLUME BEAK: medium length, slightly curved

KERNEL: dark red colour, medium size, oval to broad elliptical shape, rounded to angular cheek, short brush hairs, medium-wide to wide 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 moderately resistant to Common Bunt (Tilletia laevis, Tilletia tritici), Loose Smut (Ustilago tritici) and Fusarium Head Blight (Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium species)

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Elie' (experimental designation 'BW931') 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-CK03W was selected at each process and in 2008 was evaluated as 'BW931' 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 Elie' with reference varieties 'AAC Brandon', 'Alsen', 'Carberry', 'ND744' and 'Superb'

Flag leaf length (cm)

Number of days to heading

Plant height at maturity (cm)

Spike length (cm)

Click on image for larger view

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