AAC Whitefox

Wheat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Snowbird' and 'Whitehawk'

Summary: In profile, the shape of the spike of 'AAC Whitefox' is tapering whereas it is parallel-sided for both reference varieties. The shoulder of the lower glume of 'AAC Whitefox' is narrow to medium width whereas it is medium to broad for 'Snowbird' and broad for 'Whitehawk'. The shape of the shoulder of the lower glume of 'AAC Whitefox' is sloping whereas it is straight for both reference varieties. The kernel of 'AAC Whitefox' is narrow whereas it is medium width for both reference varieties. The shape of the germ of 'AAC Whitefox' is broad elliptical whereas it is oval for both reference varieties.

Description:

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

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

FLAG LEAF: low 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: strong glaucosity, curved
STRAW: thin pith in cross-section, no anthocyanin colouration
SPIKE: strong glaucosity, tapering shape in profile, dense, awnletted, yellow at maturity, erect attitude, medium hairiness of convex surface of apical rachis segment
LOWER GLUME: medium length and width, glabrous, sparse extent of external and internal hairs
LOWER GLUME SHOULDER: narrow to medium width, sloping shape
LOWER GLUME BEAK: short, straight
LOWEST LEMMA: straight beak shape

KERNEL: white, small to medium size, short and narrow, elliptical shape, rounded cheek, long brush hairs, narrow and shallow crease, medium colouration with phenol
GERM: medium size, broad elliptical shape

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Whitefox' (experimental designation 'HW027') was derived from the cross 'Snowstar' // 'Snowbird' / 97B05-T2D conducted at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Cereal Research Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba in June 2003. The F1 seed was grown in the greenhouse during the winter of 2003-2004. In 2004, the F2 was grown at Glenlea, Manitoba and spikes were selected from agronomically desirable plants from which the F3 was then planted in a winter nursery in New Zealand during the winter of 2004-2005 from which early maturing, healthy plants with strong straw were selected. The F4 was grown and evaluated in Glenlea in 2005 in a leaf and stem rust disease nursery. Selections were made based on height, maturity, straw strength and disease reaction. The F5 and F7 were increased in New Zealand and the F6 and F8 lines were planted and screened in yield tests in Manitoba and quality evaluated with the most desirable lines being advanced to A-level testing. In 2008, the F8 line, 04V15B-BP5E, was tested in the Cereal Research Centre Hard White 'A2' test and in 2009, was further evaluated in the Cereal Research Centre Hard White 'B' test. In 2010, the line, 04V15B-BP5E, was designated, 'HW027', and was entered in the Hard White Cooperative Test. 'HW027' was tested in the 2010-2012 Hard White Wheat 'C' test.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials were conducted during the 2014 and 2015 growing seasons at the Saskatoon Research and Development Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Plots consisted of 5 rows per plot with a row length of 3.35 metres and a row spacing of 18 cm. There were 4 replicates arranged in a RCB design. Measured characteristics were based on a minimum of 20 measurements per variety per year. Mean differences were significant at the 5% confidence probability level based on a paired Student's t-test.

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Wheat: 'AAC Whitefox' (left) with reference varieties 'Snowbird' (centre) and 'Whitehawk' (right)