AAC Spitfire

Wheat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'AAC Durafield', 'Enterprise', 'Strongfield' and 'Transcend'

Summary: The flag leaf of 'AAC Spitfire' is shorter than those of 'Enterprise' and 'Strongfield' and wider than those of 'AAC Durafield' and 'Transcend'. The spike of 'AAC Spitfire' has weak to medium glaucosity whereas the spike of 'AAC Durafield' and 'Strongfield' have strong glaucosity. The glaucosity of the culm of 'AAC Spitfire' is weak to medium whereas it is strong for 'AAC Durafield' and 'Strongfield' and medium to strong for 'Transcend'. The awns of 'AAC Spitfire' are white whereas those of 'AAC Durafield' are light black. The spike length of 'AAC Spitfire' is shorter than that of 'AAC Durafield', 'Strongfield' and 'Transcend'. The thousand kernel weight of 'AAC Spitfire' is higher than that of 'Enterprise' and 'Transcend'.

Description:

PLANT: spring wheat, intermediate growth habit at the 5 to 9 tiller stage, high frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves, matures mid-season

SEEDLING (4-leaf stage): very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the coleoptile, glabrous sheath and blade of the lower leaves

FLAG LEAF: absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the auricles, medium glaucosity of the sheath and lower side of leaf blade, glabrous blade and sheath

CULM: absent or very sparse density of hairiness of uppermost node, weak to medium glaucosity, curved neck

SPIKE: weak to medium glaucosity, tapering to parallel sided shape, dense, off white at maturity, erect attitude
AWNS: longer than length of spike, white at maturity
LOWER GLUME SHOULDER: narrow, strongly elevated with second point present to elevated shape
LOWER GLUME: long, narrow to medium width, glabrous
LOWER GLUME BEAK: short to medium length, straight to slightly curved shape
LOWEST LEMMA: straight to slightly curved beak shape

STRAW: thin to medium in cross-section

KERNEL: amber, large, elliptical, angular to rounded shape cheek, short brush hairs, medium to wide and medium depth of crease
GERM: large, oval germ

AGRONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS: good resistance to shattering, good tolerance to drought
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 susceptible to Loose smut (Ustilago tritici) and Leaf spot (Pyrenophora tritici-repentis and Mycosphaerella graminicola) and susceptible to Fusarium head blight (Fusarium species, Fusarium graminearum)

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Spitfire' (experimental name 'DT844' and 'A0457-RA01') was selected from the cross 'Sachem' / 'Strongfield' / / 'DT757' made in 2004 at the Semiarid Prairie Agricultural Research Centre, Swift Current, Saskatchewan . From January to April of 2005, the F1 seeds were increased in the greenhouse. In the spring of 2005, F2 seeds were space planted in a leaf and stem rust epiphytotic field nursery near Swift Current and individual plants were selected for disease resistances, plant height, straw strength and maturity. Seeds of individual spikes were grown in F3 rows near Lincoln, New Zealand in 2005-2006 and selections were made for plant height, maturity and straw strength. In 2006, the F4 lines were grown in plots near Swift Current and Regina, Saskatchewan and were assessed for agronomic performance. Following grow outs and selection of F5 rows in Leeston, New Zealand, the selected F6 lines were grown in various locations in Saskatchewan and Alberta and selected for agronomic performance, disease resistance and quality characteristics. One line, 'A0457-RA01', was identified as meeting all selection criteria at each stage. In 2008, 'A0457-RA01' was tested in the Durum Centre A2 test replicated at 5 locations and in the Durum-B test replicated at 6 locations in 2009. From 2010 to 2013, 'A0457-RA01' was tested as 'DT844' in the Durum Cooperative Test.

Tests & Trials: The comparative tests and trials were conducted during the summers of 2013 and 2014 at the Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada SemiArid Prairie Agricultural Research Centre, Swift Current, Saskatchewan. Plots consisted of 4 rows, with a row length of 3 metres and a row spacing of 23 cm. There were 4 replications arranged in randomized complete block design. Measured characteristics were based on 20 measurements per variety per year. Means are based on a two year average. Mean differences are significant at the 5% probability level based on LSD values.

Comparison tables for 'AAC Spitfire' with reference varieties 'AAC Durafield', 'Enterprise', 'Strongfield' and 'Transcend'

Flag leaf length (cm)

Flag leaf width (cm)

Spike length (cm) (excluding awns)

Thousand kernel weight (grams per 1000 kernels)

Click on image for larger view

Wheat: 'AAC Spitfire' (left) with reference varieties, 'AAC Durafield' (centre left), 'Enterprise' (centre), 'Strongfield' (centre right) and 'Transcend' (right)