AAC Cirrus

Wheat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'AAC Iceberg', 'Snowstar' and 'CDC Whitewood'

Summary: The anthocyanin colouration of the coleoptile for 'AAC Cirrus' is strong while it is absent or very weak for 'CDC Whitewood'. The anthocyanin colouration of the flag leaf auricles for 'AAC Cirrus' is strong while it is absent or very weak to weak for 'AAC Iceberg' and absent or very weak for 'Snowstar' and 'CDC Whitewood'. The flag leaf of 'AAC Cirrus' is longer and wider than those of 'AAC Iceberg' and 'Snowstar'. At heading, the spike of 'AAC Cirrus' is longer than those of 'Snowstar' and 'CDC Whitewood'.

Description:

PLANT: common hard white spring type, intermediate growth habit at the 5 to 9 tiller stage, low to medium frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves, matures mid-season

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

FLAG LEAF: strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration of auricles, medium degree of glaucosity of sheath, weak to medium glaucosity of lower side of leaf blade

CULM: medium glaucosity
STRAW: thin pith in cross section, anthocyanin colouration present at maturity

SPIKE: medium degree of glaucosity at heading, predominantly tapering or parallel sided shape, medium density, white at maturity
AWNS: shorter than length of spike

KERNEL: white

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Cirrus' (experimental designations 'H0815-EL03' and 'HW388') was selected from the cross 'Snowstar' / 'Carberry' // 'HW811' conducted in 2008 at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Swift Current Research and Development Centre, Swift Current, Saskatchewan. The F1 seed was increased and the F2 plants selected on the basis of disease response, plant stature, straw strength and maturity. Further F3 seed selection was based on seed coat colour and kernel characteristics and grown near Lincoln, New Zealand where F4 selections were made based on agronomic traits. The F4 seed was planted near Swift Current, Saskatchewan and F5 selections made on the basis of disease resistance and seed coat colour. These F5 selections were grown in New Zealand and F6 selections made based on maturity, plant height, shattering and straw strength. 69 F7 lines were selected and grown in yield trials in various locations in Saskatchewan and Alberta. From these F7 lines, 21 families, at 5 lines per family, were selected based on grain quality and kernel attributes and grown as head rows near Temuco, Chile. F8 lines were selected based on agronomic traits and grown near Swift Current, Saskatchewan and were further assessed in their response to disease near Swift Current, Saskatchewan and near Carman, Manitoba. One line met all selection criteria at each generation and was named 'H0815-EL03'. 'H0815-EL03' was evaluated in the Western Hard White B test in 2013 and as 'HW388' in the Hard White Wheat C Registration Test from 2014 to 2016.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trials of 'AAC Cirrus' were conducted during the 2016 and 2017 growing seasons at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Swift Current Research and Development Centre, Swift Current, Saskatchewan. Plots consisted of 4 rows, with a row length of 4 metres and 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. Mean differences are significant at the 5% probability level based on a paired Student's t-test.

Comparison tables for 'AAC Cirrus' with reference varieties 'AAC Iceberg', 'Snowstar' and 'CDC Whitewood'

Flag leaf length (cm)

Flag leaf width (mm)

Spike length (excluding awns) (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Wheat: 'AAC Cirrus' (left) with reference varieties 'AAC Iceberg' (centre left), 'CDC Whitewood' (centre right) and 'Snowstar' (right)