AAC Fairwind

Wheat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Brookfield', 'AC Helena', 'AC Hartland' and 'Nass'

Summary: The intensity of the anthocyanin colouration of the coleoptile is absent or very weak for 'AAC Fairwind' whereas the intensity of anthocyanin is weak to medium for 'Brookfield' and 'AC Helena'. 'AAC Fairwind' has a medium to high frequency of recurved leaves whereas 'AC Helena' has a high to very high frequency of recurved leaves. 'AAC Fairwind' has a longer flag leaf than that of 'AC Helena'. The spike length (excluding awns and awnlets) for 'AAC Fairwind' is longer than the spike of 'AC Helena'. The degree of glaucosity of the spike is strong for 'AAC Fairwind' whereas the degree of glaucosity of the spike is medium for 'Brookfield' and weak for 'AC Hartland'. 'AAC Fairwind' has a spike with an erect attitude whereas 'Nass' has a spike with an incline attitude.

Description:

PLANT: hard red common spring type, semi-erect growth habit at 5 to 9 tiller stage, matures late

SEEDLING (4 leaf stage): absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of coleoptile, glabrous sheath and blade of lower leaves

FLAG LEAF: medium to high frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves, very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of auricles, strong glaucosity of sheath, glabrous blade and sheath

CULM NECK: medium to strong glaucosity, straight
STRAW (AT MATURITY): thin pith in cross-section, no anthocyanin colouration

SPIKE: strong glaucosity at heading, tapering to parallel sided in profile, medium density, erect attitude, white at maturity, sparse hairiness of convex surface of apical rachis segment
AWNS: white, awns from tip of spike equal to spike length
LOWER GLUME: short to medium length, narrow to medium width, glabrous, sparse extent of internal hairs
LOWER GLUME SHOULDER: narrow, slightly sloping
LOWER GLUME BEAK: short, straight to slightly curved
LOWEST LEMMA: straight to slightly curved beak

KERNEL: medium red, small, short, narrow, oval and elliptical shape, rounded cheek shape, medium length of brush hairs, medium width and depth of crease, light colouration with phenol
GERM: medium size, round to broad elliptical shape

BREAD MAKING QUALITY: fair

DISEASE REACTION: susceptible to Leaf Rust (Puccinia triticina)

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Fairwind' (experimental designations 'AW725' and '05-175-3') originated from the cross '01-95-1'/ 'Nass' made in 2005 at the Charlottetown Research Station of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. In 2005, F1 plants were grown in the field to produce F2 seed. In 2006, head selections were made for large spikes, strong straw, resistance to powdery mildew, and resistance to Fusarium Head Blight. In 2007, F3 head rows were grown and selection was made for the same traits selected for in 2006 along with uniformity, awn length, plant height and spike colour. Row '05-175-3' was selected to be advanced into observation yield trials in 2008 for further selection for uniformity, grain yield, head size, lodging resistance, powdery mildew and Fusarium Head Blight resistance. In 2009, '05-175-3' was advanced to the Preliminary Spring Wheat Trial 02 at Charlottetown and Ottawa. In 2010, '05-175-3' was screened as 'AW725' in the Eastern Spring Wheat Screening Test at eight locations in Eastern Canada. In 2011, 'AW725' was entered into the Maritime Spring Wheat Registration and Recommendation trials. Selection criteria included wide regional adaptation in Eastern Canada, yield, Fusarium Head Blight and powdery mildew resistance, and grain and flour quality. In 2011 and 2012, 'AW725' was entered into the Ontario Orthogonal (Registration) trial and in the Quebec Essais d'enregistrement et de recommandation des blés panifiables in 2015. Selection criteria in both trials included wide adaptation, yield, Fusarium Head Blight resistance and grain and flour quality.

Tests & Trials: The comparative tests and trials for 'AAC Fairwind' were conducted during the 2013, 2014 and 2015 growing seasons at the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ontario. Data from the 2014 trial did not include flag leaf characteristics. Plots were arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design consisting of 3 replications in 2013 and 2014 and 4 replications in 2015. Plots were 4.2 metres long and 1.5 metres wide with 0.2 metre row spacing. Measurements for flag leaf length were based on 36 measurements in 2013 and 80 measurements in 2015 resulting in a total of 116 measurements over 2 years. Measurements for spike length were based on 60 measurements in 2014 and 80 measurements in 2015 resulting in a total of 140 measurements over 2 years. Mean differences were significant at the 5% confidence probability level based on a paired Student's t-test.

Comparison tables for 'AAC Fairwind' with reference varieties 'Brookfield', 'AC Helena', 'AC Hartland' and 'Nass'

Flag leaf length (cm)

Spike length (excluding awns and awnlets) (cm)

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Wheat: 'AAC Fairwind' (top) with reference variety 'Brookfield' (middle left), 'AC Helena' (middle right), 'AC Hartland' (bottom left) and 'Nass' (bottom right)

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Wheat: 'AAC Fairwind' (top) with reference variety 'Brookfield' (middle left), 'AC Helena' (middle right), 'AC Hartland' (bottom left) and 'Nass' (bottom right)