AAC Chiffon

Wheat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'AC Reed', 'AC Andrew' and 'Sadash'

Summary: The flag leaves of 'AAC Chiffon' are longer than those of 'AC Reed' and 'AC Andrew'. The flag leaf and spike of 'AAC Chiffon' has medium glaucosity whereas it is absent or very weak on 'AC Reed' and 'AC Andrew'. 'AAC Chiffon' is later heading than 'AC Reed'. At maturity, the plants of 'AAC Chiffon' are taller than those of 'AC Reed'. The awns of 'AAC Chiffon' are shorter than those of the reference varieties. The shoulder shape of the lower glume of 'AAC Chiffon' is sloping to slightly sloping whereas it is elevated on 'Sadash'.

Description:

PLANT: soft white spring type, erect growth habit at the 5 to 9 tiller stage, heads emerge mid-season, matures mid-season

SEEDLING: absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of coleoptile, glabrous lower leaf sheaths and blades

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

CULM NECK: absent or very sparse density of hairiness of uppermost node, absent or very weak glaucosity, straight
STRAW: thin pith in cross section, no anthocyanin colouration at maturity
SPIKE: medium glaucosity, parallel-sided shape in profile, dense, white at maturity, inclined attitude, absent or very sparse hairiness of convex surface of apical rachis segment
AWNS: shorter than length of spike, white
LOWER GLUME: long and wide, glabrous
LOWER GLUME SHOULDER: medium width, sloping to sligthly sloping shape
LOWER GLUME BEAK: medium length, strongly curved

KERNEL: white, medium size, medium length and width, oval shape, rounded cheek, medium length brush hairs, medium width and depth of crease
GERM: medium size, round in shape

AGRONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS: good resistance to shattering

QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS: good pastry and biscuit quality

DISEASE REACTION: moderately resistant to Stripe Rust (Puccinia striiformis), moderately susceptible to Fusarium Head Blight (Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium species) and Kernel Black Point (principally caused by Alternaria alternata), susceptible to Loose Smut (Ustilago tritici) and Leaf Rust (Puccinia recondita), and highly susceptible to Stem Rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici)

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Chiffon' (experimental designations SWS408, SWS389, 04-PR219) was derived from the cross 'AC Reed' / 'SWS53' (L01003) made in 2001 at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Lethbridge Research Centre, Lethbridge, Alberta using a modified bulk breeding technique. F1 plants were increased in the greenhouse in the fall of 2001 with the F2 seeds being grown out in Lincoln, New Zealand in 2001-2002. F3 heads were selected from spaced-plant bulk plots in 2002 with 47 F4 headrows being grown out in Lincoln, New Zealand during the winter of 2002-2003. One F5 line was grown in Lethbridge in an initial yield trial. Selections were made for agronomic traits, with the F6 being grown out in Lincoln, New Zealand in 2003-2004. In the spring of 2004, an F7 line was grown in a preliminary yield trial in Lethbridge, Alberta. Based on agronomic performance and disease resistance, one line designated 04-PR219 was advanced into the Soft White Spring Wheat Cooperative Registration trial as SWS389 from 2005-2007. Excessive heterogeneity in the SWS389 pre-breeder seed plots prompted selection of 10 heads from nine of the breeder seed lines following extensive roguing. These nine selections were planted as head rows in Leeston, New Zealand in 2007-2008. One of these selections was entered in the Soft White Spring Wheat Cooperative Registration trial as SWS408 from 2008 to 2011.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials were conducted in 2012 and 2013 in Lethbridge, Alberta. Plots consisted of 4 rows per plot with a row length of 3.0 metres and a row spacing of 23 cm. There were 3 replicates arranged in a RCB design. Measured characteristics were based on a minimum of 30 measurements per variety per year.

Comparison tables for 'AAC Chiffon' with reference varieties 'AC Reed', 'AC Andrew' and 'Sadash'

Flag leaf length (cm)

Days to heading

Awn length (cm)

Plant height (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Wheat: 'AAC Chiffon' (top) with reference varieties 'AC Reed' (centre top), 'AC Andrew' (centre bottom) and 'Sadash' (bottom)