AAC Marchwell

Wheat

Variety Description

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

Summary: The flag leaves of 'AAC Marchwell' are shorter than those of 'AC Avonlea', 'Enterprise' and 'Strongfield'. 'AAC Marchwell' is later heading than 'AC Avonlea' and 'AC Navigator'. The glaucosity of the spike of 'AAC Marchwell' is weak whereas it is medium on 'AC Avonlea' and 'Enterprise' and strong on 'Strongfield'. At maturity, the plants of 'AAC Marchwell' are taller than those of 'AC Navigator'. The spike of 'AAC Marchwell' is shorter than that of 'AC Avonlea', 'Enterprise' and 'Strongfield' and longer than that of 'AC Navigator'. The lower glume of 'AAC Marchwell' is shorter than that of 'AC Avonlea' and 'AC Navigator'. The awns of 'AAC Marchwell' are white whereas those of 'AC Navigator' are black.

Description:

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

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

FLAG LEAF: medium frequency of plants with recurved/drooping flag leaves, weak anthocyanin colouration of auricles, medium to strong glaucosity of sheath, glabrous blade and sheath

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

SPIKE: weak glaucosity, tapering to parallel-sided shape in profile, dense, off-white to yellow at maturity, erect attitude at maturity, sparse hairiness of convex surface of apical segment
AWNS: longer than length of spike, white
LOWER GLUME: medium length and width, glabrous
LOWER GLUME SHOULDER: very narrow to narrow, sloping to elevated shape
LOWER GLUME BEAK: short to medium length, straight to moderately curved shape
LOWEST LEMMA: straight to moderately curved shape

KERNEL: amber colour, medium to large in size, elliptical shape, angular cheek, short brush hairs, medium to wide width and medium to deep depth of crease
GERM: large, oval shape

RESISTANCE TO SHATTERING: good
PASTA QUALITY: good

DISEASE REACTIONS: resistant to Leaf Rust (Puccinia recondita), Stem Rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) and Common Bunt (Tilletia caries, Tilletia foetida); moderately resistant to Loose smut (Ustilago tritici) and moderately susceptible to Fusarium head blight (Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium species) and Leaf spot (caused by Pyrenophora tritici-repentis and Mycosphaerella graminicola)

INSECT REACTIONS: moderately resistant to Orange Wheat Blossom Midge (Sitodiplosis mosellana)

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Marchwell' (tested as DT833) was derived from the cross A0039&DB764D18 / 'Strongfield' made in 2004 at the Semiarid Prairie Agricultural Research Centre, Swift Current, Saskatchewan. In 2004, F1 seeds were increased in the greenhouse with F2 seeds space planted in a disease epiphytotic field nursery near Swift Current in 2005. Individual plants were selected for disease resistance and agronomic characteristics. Seed from each selected F2 plant was screened for the wheat midge resistance gene Sm1. Seed of the F3 and F5 seed were grown in contra-season nursery near Leeston, New Zealand where selections were made based on plant height, maturity and straw strength. In 2006 and 2007, the F4 and F6 lines were grown out in plots near Swift Current and Indian Head, Saskatchewan where selections for agronomic performance, disease resistance and quality characteristics were made. In 2008, 27 genotypes from the A0426 population were tested in the three A-level tests. Eleven lines, including A0426-KV04, were tested at five dryland locations in western Canada and assessed for agronomic perfomance, grain cadmium concentration and quality parameters. Disease and insect reactions were assessed at various locations throughout the Prairie provinces. A0426-KV04 was tested in the Durum cooperative tests as DT833 from 2009 to 2012.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials were conducted at the Semiarid Prairie Agricultural Research Centre, Swift Current, Saskatchewan in 2012 and 2013. Plots consisted of 4 rows, each 3 metres long with inter-row spacing of 23 cm with 4 replications per variety arranged in an RCB design. There were 40 leaf and 20 spike measurements. Means are based on a two year average. Differences are significant at the 5% probability level based on LSD values. Disease ratings were provided through the Disease Evaluation team of the Prairie Recommending Committee for Wheat, Rye and Triticale, Prairie Grain Development Committee.

Comparison tables for 'AAC Marchwell' with reference varieties 'AC Avonlea', 'AC Navigator', 'Enterprise' and 'Strongfield'

Flag leaf length (cm)

Days to heading (50% of heads fully emerged from boot)

Plant height (including awns) (cm)

Spike length (excluding awns) (cm)

Glume length (mm)

Click on image for larger view

Wheat: 'AAC Marchwell' (left) with reference varieties 'AC Avonlea' (centre left), 'Enterprise' (centre), 'AC Navigator' (centre right) and 'Strongfield' (right)

Click on image for larger view

Wheat: 'AAC Marchwell' (left) with reference varieties 'AC Avonlea' (centre left), 'Enterprise' (centre), 'AC Navigator' (centre right) and 'Strongfield' (right)