CDC Fortitude

Wheat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'AAC Raymore', 'CDC Verona', 'Strongfield' and 'AC Avonlea'

Summary: The plants of 'CDC Fortitude' are shorter than those of 'AAC Raymore', 'CDC Verona' and 'AC Avonlea'. In cross-section, the stem of 'CDC Fortitude' is solid whereas the pith of the stems of 'CDC Verona', 'Strongfield' and 'AC Avonlea' are thin. The awns of 'CDC Fortitude' are white whereas those of 'AAC Raymore' are brown to black.

Description:

PLANT: durum type, spring season maturity
SEEDLING (at four leaf stage): absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of coleoptiles, glabrous lower leaf sheath and blade

GROWTH HABIT (at 5-9 tiller stage): erect
FLAG LEAF (at booting): low to medium frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves, weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of auricles, glabrous blade and sheath, drooping attitude

SPIKE: parallel sided, medium to dense, absent or very weak glaucosity, white in colour with erect attitude at maturity, medium to dense hairiness of convex surface of apical rachis segment
CULM: weak glaucosity, weak to medium curvature at maturity
STRAW: solid in cross-section, no anthocyanin colouration at maturity
AWNS: present, longer than spike, white

LOWER GLUME: medium length and width, very weak density of pubescence
LOWER GLUME SHOULDER: elevated, narrow
LOWER GLUME BEAK: slightly curved, medium length
LEMMA BEAK: straight to slightly curved

KERNEL: amber, medium size, medium length and width, elliptical shape, slightly angular cheek, short to medium length brush hairs, medium width of crease, medium to deep crease
GERM: broad elliptical shape, medium size

Origin & Breeding History: 'CDC Fortitude' (experimental designation 'DT570') is derived from the cross 'CDC Verona'/'DT732' made in the summer of 2003 at the Crop Development Centre of the University of Saskatchewan. The F1 was increased at a contra-season in New Zealand and the F2 was grown in a space planted nursery at Saskatoon in 2004. Resulting F2 plants were selected for the solid stem trait and increase as single plants in the greenhouse. The F4 generation was planted in Saskatoon as single F3:4 head rows. Rows with acceptable maturity and plant height, and those that expressed a solid stem phenotype, were identified and five single spikes were selected from each row. The line D03X.48.013 was selected from the F4:5 in 2006 and further grown in unreplicated F6 field trials in Saskatoon and evaluated in endemic nurseries in Saskatoon and Carman in 2007. In 2008, D03X.48.013 was evaluated for agronomic and disease resistance traits throughout Saskatchewan and selected based on performance, disease resistance, and grain quality. D03X.48.013 was further evaluated in various locations in Saskatchewan and Alberta in the Western Durum Wheat Cooperative Test in 2009 and advanced for yield trialing in the 2010 Durum Wheat Cooperative Test. D03X.48.013 was evaluated as 'DT570' in the Durum Wheat co-operative tests from 2010 to 2013.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trials of 'CDC Fortitude' were conducted during 2013 and 2014 at the Crop Science Research Farm, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. A two replicate, randomised complete block design was planted with each replicate consisting of 5 rows. The plot size was 4.5 square metres with a density of 230 plants per square metre. Means are based on a two year average. Mean differences are significant at the 5% probability level based on LSD values.

Comparison table for 'CDC Fortitude' with reference varieties 'AAC Raymore', 'CDC Verona', 'Strongfield' and 'AC Avonlea'

Plant height (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Wheat: 'CDC Fortitude' (left) with reference varieties 'AAC Raymore' (DT818) (centre left), 'CDC Verona' (centre), 'Strongfield' (centre right) and 'AC Avonlea' (right)