AAC Grainland

Wheat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'AAC Stronghold', 'AAC Cabri', 'CDC Fortitude' and 'Transcend'

Summary: The coleoptile of 'AAC Grainland' has a strong to very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration while that of 'AAC Stronghold' has a medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration. At booting, the flag leaf of 'AAC Grainland' is shorter than that of 'AAC Cabri' and narrower than that of 'AAC Stronghold' and 'CDC Fortitude'. At maturity, the plants of 'AAC Grainland' are shorter than those of 'Transcend' and taller than those of 'AAC Stronghold' and 'CDC Fortitude'. In cross section, the straw pith for 'AAC Grainland' is thick while it is thin for 'Transcend'. Excluding the awns, the spikes of 'AAC Grainland' are shorter than those of 'CDC Fortitude' and 'Transcend'. The awns of 'AAC Grainland' are black while those of the reference varieties are white. The lower glume of 'AAC Grainland' is shorter and narrower than that of 'CDC Fortitude'. The 1000 kernel weight for 'AAC Grainland' is less than that of 'AAC Stronghold'. The kernel germ for 'AAC Grainland' is medium in size while that of 'AAC Stronghold', 'AAC Cabri' and 'CDC Fortitude' is large in size. The kernel crease for 'AAC Grainland' is of medium width and depth while it is narrow and shallow for 'CDC Fortitude'

Description:

PLANT: durum wheat, spring type, semi-erect growth habit at the 5 to 9 tiller stage, medium to high frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves, heads emerge mid-season

SEEDLING (4 LEAF STAGE): strong to very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration of coleoptile, glabrous sheath and blade of lower leaves

FLAG LEAF: absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of auricles, medium glaucosity of sheath, absent or very weak glaucosity of lower side of leaf blade, glabrous blade and sheath

CULM: absent or very sparse hairiness of uppermost node, medium glaucosity, curved neck
STRAW: thick pith in cross-section, no anthocyanin colouration at maturity

SPIKE: medium degree of glaucosity at heading, parallel sided shape, dense, off-white at maturity, erect attitude
AWNS: longer than length of spike, black at maturity
LOWER GLUME: medium oblong shape, medium length and width, glabrous
LOWER GLUME SHOULDER: narrow to medium width, elevated to strongly elevated shape
LOWER GLUME BEAK: short to medium length, straight to slightly curved shape
LOWEST LEMMA: straight to slightly curved beak

KERNEL: amber, large, long, medium width, elliptical, rounded cheek, medium length brush hairs, medium width and depth of crease
GERM: medium sized, oval

AGRONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS: good resistance to shattering, good tolerance to drought

PASTA QUALITY: good

DISEASE REACTIONS: resistant to Leaf rust (Puccinia recondita), Stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis), and Common bunt (Tilletia caries, Tilletia foetida); moderately resistant to Stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici); moderately susceptible to Fusarium head blight (Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium sp.)

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Grainland' (experimental designations 'A0916-FS05' and 'DT878') originated from the cross between 'A0463&AP018' and 'Transcend' made in 2009 at the Swift Current Research and Development Centre of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. In 2009, the F1 seeds were increased in the greenhouse and the resulting seeds space planted in a disease epiphytotic field nursery near Swift Current. Individual F2 plants were selected for disease resistances, plant height, straw strength and maturity. The seeds from individual F2 spikes were grown in rows near Lincoln, New Zealand in 2010-2011. F3 rows were selected for plant height, straw strength and maturity and in 2011, 154 of these F4 selections grown in plots near Swift Current and Regina, Saskatchewan. The F5 spikes, from F4 families selected based on agronomic performance, quality and disease reaction, were grown in rows near Leeston, New Zealand. Selections made from the F5 plants were based on plant height, straw strength and maturity. In 2012, the F6 lines were grown in plots in various dryland locations in Saskatchewan and Manitoba and lines were selected based on agronomic performance, disease resistance and quality characteristics. One line, 'A0916-FS05', was identified as meeting all selection criteria at each stage. 'A0916-FS05' was tested in the Durum Central A3 test in 2013 and in the Durum-B test in 2014. In 2013-2014, disease reactions were assessed at various locations in Saskatchewan and Manitoba while quality assessments were done by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Central Quality Lab in Winnipeg. From 2015 to 2017, 'A0916-FS05' was tested as 'DT878', in the Durum Cooperative Tests. In 2015 to 2017, 'DT878' was also grown in a specialized sawfly nursery and assessed for stem solidness.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trials of 'AAC Grainland' were conducted during the 2017 and 2018 growing seasons at the Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada Swift Current Research and Development Centre, Swift Current, Saskatchewan. Plots consisted of 4 rows, with a row length of 3 metres and a 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 except for kernel weight, which was based on 1 measurement per plot for each variety in each year. Mean differences are significant at the 5% probability level based on LSD values. Disease ratings were provided through the Disease Evaluation team of the Prairie Recommending Committee for Wheat, Rye and Triticale, Prairie Grain Development Committee.

Comparison tables for 'AAC Grainland' with reference varieties 'AAC Stronghold', 'AAC Cabri', 'CDC Fortitude' and 'Transcend'

Flag leaf length (cm)

Flag leaf width (cm)

Plant height at maturity (including awns) (cm)

Spike length (excluding awns)(cm)

Kernel weight (grams per 1000 kernels)

Lower glume length (mm)

Lower glume width (mm)

Click on image for larger view

Wheat: 'AAC Grainland' (left) with reference varieties 'AAC Stronghold' (centre left), 'AAC Cabri' (centre), 'CDC Fortitude' (centre right) and 'Transcend' (right)

Click on image for larger view

Wheat: 'AAC Grainland' (left) with reference varieties 'AAC Stronghold' (centre left), 'AAC Cabri' (centre), 'CDC Fortitude' (centre right) and 'Transcend' (right)