Go Early

Wheat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'CDC Go', 'McKenzie' and 'Coleman'

Summary: The intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the coleoptile on 'PT769' is very weak to weak whereas the intensity is strong on 'Coleman' and strong to very strong on 'CDC Go' and 'McKenzie'. At booting, the flag leaves of 'PT769' are longer and wider than those of 'McKenzie' and shorter than those of 'CDC Go'. 'PT769' is later heading than 'McKenzie' and 'Coleman'. In cross section, the straw pith of 'PT679' is thin whereas it is medium to thick in 'Coleman' and thick in 'McKenzie'. At maturity, the plants of 'PT769' are taller than those of 'CDC Go'. The spikes of 'PT769' are longer than those of 'CDC Go' and 'McKenzie'. The lower glume shoulder in 'PT769' is narrow whereas it is of medium width in 'CDC Go'. The lower glume beak length in 'PT769' is of medium to long whereas it is short in 'McKenzie'. The lower glume beak in 'PT769' is moderately to strongly curved whereas the beak is slightly curved in 'CDC Go'. The lowest lemma has a slightly curved beak in 'PT769' whereas the beak is straight in 'CDC Go'.

Description:

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

SEEDLING: very weak to weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of coleoptile, glabrous lower leaf sheaths and blades

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

CULM NECK: straight
STRAW: thin pith in cross-section, no anthocyanin colouration at maturity

SPIKE: absent or very weak glaucosity, tapering shape in profile, medium density, white at maturity, erect attitude, sparse hairiness of convex surface of apical rachis segment
AWNS: shorter than length of spike, white
LOWER GLUME: medium length and width, glabrous
LOWER GLUME SHOULDER: narrow, sloping shape
LOWER GLUME BEAK: medium to long, medium width, moderately to strongly curved
LOWEST LEMMA: slightly curved beak

KERNEL: medium red colour, medium size, medium length and width, oval shape, rounded to angular cheek shape, medium length of brush hairs, medium width of crease, medium to deep crease
GERM: medium to large, oval shape

Origin & Breeding History: 'PT769' (experimental designation '0423*F6MBK20') was derived from the cross between 'AC Intrepid' and 'CDC Go' made in the winter of 2003-2004 at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta. This variety was developed using a modified bulk breeding method. F1 and F2 generations were sown and harvested in the field at the Edmonton Research Station in 2004 and 2005. In the winter of 2005-2006, two hundred randomly selected heads were harvested, bulked and advanced to the F4 in long space planted rows in a winter nursery in Lincoln, New Zealand. In 2006, 150 randomly selected heads were bulked and space planted in Edmonton with 60 heads selected based on plant type, maturity, lodging and disease resistance. The bulking and selection process was repeated in 2007, and the 60 heads grown as F7 head rows in New Zealand in the winter of 2007-2008 were selected based on plant type, early maturity and straw strength. In 2008, seed of the bulked F7 head-row was grown as a single entry in an unreplicated yield trial in Edmonton as well as leaf and stem rust, bunt and leaf spot nurseries in Edmonton and a stripe rust nursery near Creston, British Colombia. Based on cumulative agronomic, disease resistance and quality data, one line was evaluated as '0423*F6MBK20' in replicated yield trials at one Saskatchewan and five Alberta locations. In 2010, '0423*F6MBK20' was evaluated in the Parkland B test and subsequently, evaluated as 'PT769' in the Parkland Wheat Cooperative tests from 2011 to 2013.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trials conducted in Edmonton, Alberta in 2013 and 2014 were planted in a RCB design and consisted of 3 replicates for each variety. Each 4.5 metres squared plots consisted of 6 rows 4.5 metres in length with a row spacing of 0.19 metres. The planting density was 300 plants per square metre. Mean differences were significant at the 5% probability level based on LSD values.

Comparison tables for 'Go Early' with reference varieties 'CDC Go', 'McKenzie' and 'Coleman'

Flag leaf length (cm)

Flag leaf width (mm)

Days to heading (50% of heads fully emerged from boot)

Plant height (including awns) (cm)

Spike length (excluding awns) (cm)

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Wheat: 'PT769' (centre) with reference varieties 'CDC Go' (far left), 'McKenzie' (second from left) and 'Coleman' (far right)

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Wheat: 'PT769' (centre) with reference varieties 'CDC Go' (left) and 'Coleman' (right)

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Wheat: 'PT769' (centre) with reference varieties 'CDC Go' (left) and 'McKenzie' (right)