Easton

Wheat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Dagon', 'Sable' and 'AAC Fairwind'

Summary: At the 5-9 tiller stage, the plants of 'Easton' have an erect growth habit while the plants of 'AAC Fairwind' have a semi-erect growth habit. The degree of glaucosity on the flag leaf sheath is strong for 'Easton' while it is very strong for 'Dagon'. The plants of 'Easton' head later than those of 'Sable'. At heading, the degree of glaucosity on the spike of 'Easton' is medium while it is weak for 'Dagon' and 'AAC Fairwind'. At maturity, the plants of 'Easton' are shorter than those of 'AAC Fairwind' and taller than those of 'Dagon'. The spike of 'Easton' is tapering in shape while it is parallel sided for 'Sable'. The spike of 'Easton' is white while that of 'Sable' is brown. The awns of 'Easton' are equal in length to the spike while those of the reference varieties are shorter in relation to the length of the spike.

Description:

PLANT: common hard red spring type, erect growth habit at the 5 to 9 tiller stage, matures mid-season

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

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

CULM: weak glaucosity, straight neck
STRAW: thin pith in cross-section, no anthocyanin colouration at maturity

SPIKE: medium degree of glaucosity at heading, tapering in profile, medium density, white at maturity, erect attitude, sparse hairiness of convex surface of apical rachis segment
AWNS: equal to length of spike, white at maturity
LOWER GLUME: medium to long, medium width, glabrous
LOWER GLUME SHOULDER: narrow, sloping to slightly sloping
LOWER GLUME BEAK: medium in length, straight

KERNEL: dark red, small to medium sized, medium in length and width, broad elliptical, rounded cheek, brush hairs medium length, narrow crease of medium depth
GERM: medium sized, oval

AGRONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS: poor winter survival

BREAD MAKING QUALITY: fair

Origin & Breeding History: 'Easton' (experimental designation 'BIO 06014') was selected from the cross 'ORL 97061' / 'CD 104' conducted in 2002 at Biotrigo Genética Ltda. in Passo Fundo, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. In 2002-2003, the F1 seed was increased in Passo Fundo and the F2 seed field planted in Paraná, Brazil. Individual F3 spikes were selected based on spike size, plant height, leaf position and overall plant health and were grown in head rows in Apucarana, Brazil. F4 selections were made based on agronomic type and were increased in Passo Fundo and the F5 seed grown in plots in Apucarana where selections were made based on disease resistance, quality and plant type. The selected F6 seed was increased in Passo Fundo and the F7 seed grown in plots in Apucarana where selections were made based on disease resistance, quality and plant type. The F8 selected seed was named 'BIO 06014' and was tested in 2007, in a Preliminary Yield Trial in Apucarana to evaluate grain yield, agronomic type and other characteristics. 'BIO 06014' was further evaluated in the 2008 and 2009 Advanced Yield Trials conducted in Brazil and Canada, respectively.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trials of 'Easton' were conducted during the 2016 and 2017 growing seasons at C&M Seeds in Palmerston, Ontario. Plots consisted of 8 rows, with a row length of 4 metres and row spacing of 15 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 'Easton' with reference varieties 'Dagon', 'Sable' and 'AAC Fairwind'

Days to heading (number of days from planting to 50% of heads fully emerged from boot)

Plant height at maturity (including awns) (cm)

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Wheat: 'Easton' (centre left) with reference varieties 'Dagon' (centre right), 'Sable' (left) and 'AAC Fairwind' (right)

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Wheat: 'Easton' (top right) with reference varieties 'Sable' (top left), 'Dagon' (bottom left) and 'AAC Fairwind' (bottom right)

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Wheat: 'Easton' (top right) with reference varieties 'Sable' (top left), 'Dagon' (bottom left) and 'AAC Fairwind' (bottom right)