AAC Congress

Wheat

Variety Description

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

Summary: At booting, the flag leaf for 'AAC Congress' is longer than the flag leaf of 'AAC Spitfire' and 'Transcend' and wider than the flag leaf of 'Enterprise', 'Strongfield' and 'Transcend'. The plants of 'AAC Congress' head later than the plants of 'Transcend'. The spike of 'AAC Congress' is shorter than that of 'Transcend'. At maturity, the lower glume for 'AAC Congress' is shorter than that of 'AAC Spitfire'. The kernel weight for 'AAC Congress' is greater than the kernel weight of 'Enterprise'. The shape of the kernel cheek is rounded for 'AAC Congress' whereas it is angular for 'Strongfield'. The kernel crease is narrow for 'AAC Congress' while it is of medium width for 'Strongfield'.

Description:

PLANT: spring type, durum wheat, semi-erect to intermediate growth habit at 5 to 9 tiller stage, high frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves, heads mid-season

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

FLAG LEAF: absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of auricles, weak to medium glaucosity of sheath, glabrous blade and sheath

CULM: medium to strong glaucosity, straight to curved neck
STRAW: thin pith in cross-section, no anthocyanin colouration at maturity

SPIKE: medium to strong glaucosity, parallel-sided, dense, off-white at maturity, erect attitude
AWNS: longer than length of spike, white at maturity
LOWER GLUME SHOULDER: very narrow to medium width, slightly sloping to strongly elevated shape
LOWER GLUME: short to medium length, medium width, glabrous
LOWER GLUME BEAK: short, straight to moderately curved shape
LOWEST LEMMA: straight to moderately curved beak

KERNEL: amber, large, long, medium width, elliptical, rounded cheek, short brush hairs, narrow crease of medium depth
GERM: large, oval shape

AGRONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS: good resistance to shattering, good tolerance to drought

PASTA QUALITY: good

DISEASE REACTIONS: resistant to Leaf rust (Puccinia recondita) and Common bunt (Tilletia caries, Tilletia foetida); moderately resistant to Stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) and Loose smut (Ustilago tritici); and moderately susceptible to Fusarium head blight (Fusarium species and specifically Fusarium graminearum) and Leaf spot (Pyrenophora tritici-repentis and Mycosphaerella graminicola)

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Congress' (experimental designations DT856 and A0703-EP01) was selected from the cross DT789 / DT790 made in 2007 at the Swift Current Research and Development Centre, Swift Current, Saskatchewan. In 2007, the F1 seeds were increased in the greenhouse. In 2008, the F2 seed was space planted in a leaf and stem rust epiphytotic field nursery near Swift Current where individual plants were selected for disease resistance, plant height, straw strength and maturity. Seeds of individual spikes were grown in F3 rows near Lincoln, New Zealand in 2008-2009 and selections made for plant height, maturity and straw strength. In 2009, the F4 lines were grown in plots near Swift Current and Regina, Saskatchewan and assessed for agronomic performance. F5 lines were grown in rows in Irwell, New Zealand and selections made based on plant height, straw strength and maturity. The selected F6 lines were grown in various locations in Saskatchewan and Alberta in 2010 where selections were made based on agronomic performance, disease resistance and quality characteristics. The line designated as A0703-EP01 was identified as meeting all selection criteria at each stage. In 2011, A0703-EP01 was tested in the Durum Central A6 test and further assessed for disease reaction at various locations in Manitoba. From 2012 to 2014, A0703-EP01 was entered and tested as DT856 in the Durum Cooperative Registration Test.

Tests & Trials: The comparative tests and trials were conducted during the 2015 and 2017 growing seasons at the Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada Swift Current Research and Development 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 an RCB design. Measured characteristics were based on 20 measurements per variety per year except kernel weight which was based on 4 measurements per variety per year. Mean differences are significant at the 5% probability level based on LSD values. Disease reaction ratings were provided through the Disease Evaluation team of the Prairie Recommending Committee for Wheat, Rye and Triticale and Prairie Grain Development Committee from trials conducted in 2012 to 2014.

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

Flag leaf length (cm)

Flag leaf width (cm)

Days to heading (days from planting to when 50% heads are fully emerged from boot)

Spike length (excluding awns) (cm)

Lower glume length (mm)

Kernel weight (grams per 1000 kernels)

Click on image for larger view

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

Click on image for larger view

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