AAC Foray

Wheat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Conquer' and '5701PR'

Summary: At the 5 to 9 tiller stage, the growth habit of the plants of 'AAC Foray' is erect whereas that of 'Conquer' is semi-prostrate. The glaucosity of the flag leaf sheath of 'AAC Foray' is absent or very weak whereas it is medium for both reference varieties. The spike attitude of 'AAC Foray' is erect whereas that of 'Conquer' is nodding and that of '5701PR' is inclined. The lower glume shoulder of 'AAC Foray' is very narrow and sloping whereas it is very broad and strongly elevated with second point present for 'Conquer'. The kernel colour of 'AAC Foray' is dark red whereas it is medium red for 'Conquer' and light red for '5701PR'.

Description:

PLANT: hard red spring type, 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: absent or very low frequency of plants with recurved/drooping flag leaves, weak anthocyanin colouration of auricles, absent or very weak glaucosity of sheath, medium glaucosity of lower side of blade, glabrous blade and sheath

CULM NECK: absent or very sparse density of hairiness of uppermost node, strong glaucosity, straight
STRAW: thin pith in cross-section, no anthocyanin colouration at maturity
SPIKE: medium glaucosity, fusiform shape in profile, medium density, white at maturity, erect attitude, sparse hairiness of convex surface of apical rachis segment
AWNS: equal to length of spike, white at maturity
LOWER GLUME: ovoid shape, medium length and width, glabrous, sparse extent of external and internal hairs
LOWER GLUME SHOULDER: very narrow, sloping shape
LOWER GLUME BEAK: medium length, slightly curved shape
LOWEST LEMMA: slightly curved beak shape

KERNEL: dark red, large, long, medium width, elliptical shape, rounded cheek, medium length brush hairs, medium width and depth of crease
GERM: medium size, broad elliptical in shape

AGRONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS: good resistance to shattering, poor resistance to pre-harvest sprouting
BREAD MAKING QUALITY: good

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Foray' (experimental designation 'HY1610') originated from the cross 'CPS03hnF4 5123.032' / '5701PR' conducted at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Cereal Research Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba during the winter of 2003-2004. A modified pedigree breeding method was used with contra-season nurseries grown in New Zealand for the F3, F5 and F7 generations to hasten variety development. Twenty F1 plants were harvested in the 2003-2004 winter greenhouse with minimal selection. In 2004, twenty F2 plots were grown near Glenlea, Manitoba and plants were selected based on height, resistance to lodging, maturity and resistance to rust and Fusarium head blight. F3 plants were grown in New Zealand, selected for leaf rust resistance and straw strength and individually threshed and selected for kernel characteristics. In 2005, the F4 was grown in headrows in the early generation disease nursery in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. Seed from 61 F4 headrows were advanced to the next generation and increased as an F5 row in an off-season nursery near Palmerston North, New Zealand during 2005 - 2006. The F5 line was harvested and yield tested as F6 lines in 2006 at Glenlea, Brandon, Saskatoon, and Portage La Prairie. Spikes were collected from the yield plots and increased and purified as F7 rows in 2006-2007 at the off-season nursery near Palmerston North, New Zealand. The F6:8 lines were planted and screened in the 2007 F8 yield trial. Several lines from which 'HY1610' was derived were tested in the 2008 Eastern Prairie Wheat - A and the Eastern Prairie Wheat - B tests. It was evaluated in the 2010-2012 High Yield Wheat Cooperative Test under the denomination 'HY1610'.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials were conducted during the 2014 and 2015 growing seasons at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Lethbridge Research Centre 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.

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Wheat: 'AAC Foray' (top) with reference varieties 'Conquer' (centre) and '5701PR' (bottom)

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Wheat: 'AAC Foray' (left) with reference varieties 'Conquer' (centre) and '5701PR' (right)