BW961

Wheat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Alsen', 'Carberry', 'Stettler' and 'AAC W1876'

Summary: The intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the coleoptile of 'BW961' is strong to very strong whereas it is medium for 'Alsen' and 'Stettler', and weak to medium for 'Carberry'. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the flag leaf auricles of 'BW961' is medium whereas it is absent or very weak for the reference varieties. The flag leaf of 'BW961' is shorter than that of 'Alsen' and longer than that of 'Stettler'. The flag leaf of 'BW961' is narrower than that of 'Stettler'. 'BW961' heads earlier than 'Stettler'. The plants of 'BW961' are shorter than those of 'Stettler'. The spike of 'BW961' is shorter than that of 'Alsen' and 'AAC W1876'.

Description:

PLANT: common hard red spring wheat, semi-erect growth habit at the 5 to 9 tiller stage, high frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves, heads emerge and mature mid-season

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

FLAG LEAF: medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the auricles, weak 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, medium to strong glaucosity, straight neck

SPIKE: medium to strong glaucosity, parallel sided shape, lax to medium density, tan at maturity, erect attitude at maturity, absent or very sparse hairiness of the convex surface of the apical rachis segment
AWNS: equal in length to length of spike, light brown at maturity
LOWER GLUME SHOULDER: medium to broad width, straight to elevated shape
LOWER GLUME: medium length, medium width, glabrous
LOWER GLUME BEAK: short to medium length, slightly curved

STRAW: thin in cross section, no anthocyanin colouration at maturity

KERNEL: dark red

BREAD MAKING QUALITY: good
DISEASE REACTIONS: resistant to Stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici); resistant to moderately resistant to Fusarium head blight (Fusarium graminearum); moderately resistant to Leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) and Common bunt (Tilletia laevis, Tilletia tritici); and moderately susceptible to Loose smut (Ustilago tritici)

Origin & Breeding History: 'BW961' (tested as 'B0568&AW021') is a doubled haploid genotype derived from the cross 'Alsen' / 'Waskada' made at the Semiarid Prairie Agricultural Research Centre, Swift Current, Saskatchewan. In 2007, 'B0568&AW021' was derived from the second subset of doubled haploid lines of which individual seed was inoculated with common bunt and grown out in a disease nursery. Spikes were selected for disease resistance, maturity and straw strength and were grown near Irwell, New Zealand, during the winter of 2007-2008. Lines were assessed for plant height, resistance to lodging and shattering, and maturity. In 2008, 117 lines were assessed for agronomic performance and grown at various locations throughout the Prairie provinces. One line, 'B0568&AW021', was identified as meeting all selection criteria at each stage. In 2009, the experimental line, 'B0568&AW021', was evaluated in the Western Bread Wheat 'A_3' test, in the Western Bread Wheat 'B' Test in 2010 and was entered in the Western Bread Wheat Cooperative test from 2011 and 2013 as 'BW961'.

Tests & Trials: 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 'BW961' with reference varieties 'Alsen', 'Carberry', 'Stettler' and 'AAC W1876'

Flag leaf length (cm)

Flag leaf width (mm)

Days to heading

Plant height (cm) (including awns)

Spike length (cm) (excluding awns)

Click on image for larger view

Wheat: 'BW961' (bottom centre) with reference varieties, 'AAC W1876' (bottom left), 'Alsen' (bottom right), 'Carberry' (top left) and 'Stettler' (top right)