25R61

Wheat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: '25R47' and '25R51'

Summary: The plants of '25R61' are taller than those of '25R51'. The spike of '25R61' is longer than that of '25R47'. The hairiness of the convex surface of the apical rachis segment of '25R61' is of medium density whereas it is sparse for '25R47'. The beak of the lower glume of '25R61' is very short to short whereas it is very long for '25R51'. The kernel of '25R61' has a medium colouration reaction to phenol whereas the colouration is light for '25R47' and dark for '25R51'.

Description:

PLANT: winter type, erect to semi-erect at 5 to 9 tiller stage, matures mid-season

SEEDLING (4 LEAF STAGE): absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration of the coleoptile, glabrous sheath and blade of lower leaves

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

CULM: very weak to weak glaucosity, curved neck
STRAW: thin pith in cross-section, absent to very weak anthocyanin colouration at maturity

SPIKE: very weak to weak glaucosity at heading, tapering shape in profile, medium to dense, white at maturity, erect to inclined attitude, medium hairiness of convex surface of apical rachis segment
AWNS: shorter than spike, white to light brown
LOWER GLUME: medium length and width, glabrous, sparse extent of internal hair
LOWER GLUME SHOULDER: narrow, sloping to slightly sloping
LOWER GLUME BEAK: very short to short, slightly curved
LOWEST LEMMA: straight beak

KERNEL: soft red type, light red to medium red, medium size, medium in length and width, oval, rounded cheek, short to medium length brush hairs, crease narrow and shallow, medium phenol colouration
GERM: medium size, oval

AGRONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS: fair to good resistance to pre-harvest sprouting

PASTRY AND BISCUIT QUALITY: fair

DISEASE REACTION: moderately resistant to Leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) and Fusarium head blight (Fusarium graminearum), moderately resistant to moderately susceptible to Powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis f.sp. tritici), moderately susceptible to Septoria tritici blotch (Septoria tritici), moderately susceptible to susceptible to Stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis)

Origin & Breeding History: '25R61' (experimental designation XW12M) is a soft red winter wheat developed by Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. '25R61' was developed from the three parent cross 'W970585B1'/'25R47'//'W970523H1', made in 2003. The single cross, 'W9705'/'WBE0235B1' was made during the 2003 spring greenhouse cycle and was designated 'W032437'. In 2003, the final cross was designated 'W040353'. In 2004, the F1 generation was planted into a field nursery with F2 to F6 bulk populations grown at two locations from 2005 to 2009. Heads were selected for plant health, height and maturity. From 2010 to 2015, yield, agronomic performance and uniformity tests were conducted from the F7 to F12 generations. This variety was bred and developed using a pedigree selection method for disease resistance, plant type, height, head type, straw strength, maturity, grain yield, test weight, and milling and baking characteristics.

Tests & Trials: Trials for '25R61' were conducted during the 2015 and 2016 growing seasons in Caledon, Ontario. The candidate and two reference varieties were planted in three replicate blocks, the second and third blocks being randomized. Plots were 9 metres squared, 6 metres long, and included six rows 30 cm apart with 2600 seeds per plot. Observations were made throughout the season at appropriate times on the entire plot, and measurements were taken on 8 plants per plot, 24 plants total per variety.

Comparison tables for '25R61' with reference varieties '25R47' and '25R51'

Plant height, including awns at maturity (cm)

Spike length, excluding awns (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Wheat: '25R61' (top) with reference varieties '25R47' (bottom left) and '25R51' (bottom right)