B654SRW

Wheat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Emmit' and 'Branson'

Summary: The intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the coleoptile for 'B654SRW' is absent or very weak to weak while it is of medium intensity for 'Branson'. The frequency of plants with recurved leaves for 'B654SRW' is medium to high while it is low to medium for 'Emmit'. At the 5-9 tiller stage, the plants of 'B654SRW' have an erect growth habit while those of 'Branson' have a semi-erect growth habit. The flag leaf of 'B654SRW' is longer than that of 'Branson'. The flag leaf of 'B654SRW' is wider than that of both reference varieties. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration on the flag leaf auricle for 'B654SRW' is absent or very weak while it is very strong for 'Branson'. The glaucosity of the flag leaf sheath for 'B654SRW' is medium to strong while it is strong to very strong for 'Emmit'. The plants of 'B654SRW' mature earlier than the plants of 'Emmit'. At maturity, the plants of 'B654SRW' are taller than those of both reference varieties. The spike for 'B654SRW' is longer than that of 'Branson'. The spike for 'B654SRW' has medium to strong glaucosity while the spike for 'Branson' has weak glaucosity. The lower glume for 'B654SRW' has a moderately curved beak while the beak of 'Emmit' and 'Branson' are slightly curved. The lower glume for 'B654SRW' has dense internal hairs while that of 'Emmit' has sparse internal hairs.

Description:

PLANT: soft red common winter type, erect growth habit at 5 to 9 tiller stage, medium to high frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves, heads mid-season, matures early in season

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

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

CULM NECK: medium glaucosity, straight
STRAW (AT MATURITY): very thin pith in cross-section, anthocyanin colouration present

SPIKE: medium to strong glaucosity at heading, tapering shape in profile, medium density, white at maturity, nodding attitude, sparse hairiness of convex surface of apical rachis segment
AWNLETS: white, shorter than length of spike
LOWER GLUME: medium width and length, pubescent, dense internal hairs
LOWER GLUME SHOULDER: medium width, slightly sloping
LOWER GLUME BEAK: short to medium length, moderately curved
LOWEST LEMMA: moderately curved beak shape

KERNEL: light red, medium to large size, long, medium width, broad elliptical to elliptical shape, angular cheek, medium to long brush hairs, narrow and shallow crease
GERM: medium size, oval shape

AGRONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS: good winter survival, poor bread making quality, good pastry and biscuit quality

DISEASE REACTIONS: resistant to Leaf Rust (Puccinia triticina), Stem Rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) and BYDV (Barley yellow dwarf virus); resistant to moderately resistant to Stripe Rust (Puccinia striiformis); moderately resistant to moderately susceptible to Leaf Septoria (Septoria spp.); moderately susceptible to Powdery Mildew (Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici) and susceptible to Fusarium Head Blight (Fusarium graminearum)

Origin & Breeding History: 'B654SRW' (experimental designations 'DS654SRW', 'DANW1017' , 'NC14G-002' and 'TW654-050') originated from the cross 'HW616' / 'Branson' made in 2006 at the Nairn Research Station, Ailsa Craig, Ontario. The F1 was developed using the double haploid process. The resulting F1 derived double haploids were planted as a single row from which selections were made based on general appearance and disease reactions. Breeder seed was sourced and multiplied from these selections. 'B654SRW' was further evaluated from 2008 to 2013 for yield and completed two years in the Orthogonal Soft Wheat Registration Trials in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 growing seasons.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trials of 'B654SRW' were conducted during the 2016 and 2017 growing seasons at the Nairn Research Station in Ailsa Craig, Ontario. A four replicate, RCB design was planted with each replicate consisting of 6 rows. The rows were 3 metres long and spaced 18 cm apart. Measured characteristics were based on 25 measurements per variety per year. Mean differences are significant at the 5% probability level based on a paired Student's t-test.

Comparison tables for 'B654SRW' with reference varieties 'Emmit' and 'Branson'

Flag leaf length (cm)

Flag leaf width (cm)

Plant height at maturity (including awnlets) (cm)

Spike length (excluding awnlets) (cm)

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Wheat: 'B654SRW' (centre) with reference varieties 'Emmit' (left) and 'Branson' (right)

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Wheat: 'B654SRW' (centre) with reference varieties 'Emmit' (right) and 'Branson' (left)

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Wheat: 'B654SRW' (centre) with reference varieties 'Emmit' (left) and 'Branson' (right)