Lexington

Wheat

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Harvard'

Summary: At maturity, the plants of 'Lexington' are shorter than those of 'Harvard'. The spike and awns of 'Lexington' are brown while the spike and awns of 'Harvard' are white. The lower glume shoulder for 'Lexington' is elevated to strongly elevated while it is straight for 'Harvard'. The lower glume beak for 'Lexington' is long and moderately curved while it is short and straight to slightly curved for 'Harvard'. The extent of internal hairs on the lower glume for 'Lexington' is sparse while it is glabrous for 'Harvard'. The kernel for 'Lexington' is medium red while it is dark red for 'Harvard'.

Description:

PLANT: common hard red winter wheat, erect to semi-erect growth habit at the 5 to 9 tiller stage, heads mid-season

SEEDLING (4-leaf stage): absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the coleoptile, glabrous to slightly pubescent sheath of lower leaves, glabrous blade of lower leaves

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

CULM: slightly curved neck, strong glaucosity
STRAW (AT MATURITY): thin pith in cross section

SPIKE: strong glaucosity at heading, tapering in profile, medium to dense, brown at maturity, erect to inclined attitude, medium to dense hairiness of convex surface of apical rachis segment
AWNS: brown at maturity
LOWER GLUME: medium to long, medium width, glabrous to slightly pubescent, sparse extent of internal hair
LOWER GLUME SHOULDER: narrow, elevated to strongly elevated
LOWER GLUME BEAK: long, moderately curved
LOWEST LEMMA: slightly curved beak

KERNEL: medium red, medium length and width, medium sized, oval, rounded cheek, medium length brush hairs, narrow and shallow to medium crease
GERM: large, round

Origin & Breeding History: 'Lexington' (experimental designation 'C0M15043') originated from the cross between proprietary selections conducted in 2003, using a pedigree selection method, in Schwäbisch Hall, Germany. Selections were made from the F2 to F9 generations based on disease resistance, lodging, winter survival and bread-making quality properties. 'Lexington' was selected as a single plant in the F6 generation. Breeder seed was established at the F11 generation.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trials for 'Lexington' were conducted at La Co-op fédérée in St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, during the 2016 and 2017 growing seasons. Plots consisted of 7 rows, each row 5 metres long with an inter-row spacing of 0.375 metres. There were 3 replications per variety arranged in an RCB design. Measured plant characteristics were based on a minimum of 20 measurements per variety per year. Mean differences are significant at the 5% probability level based on a paired Student's t-test.

Comparison table for 'Lexington' with reference variety 'Harvard'

Plant height at maturity (including awns)(cm)

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Wheat: 'Lexington' (right) with reference variety 'Harvard' (left)

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Wheat: 'Lexington' (left) with reference variety 'Harvard' (right)