AAC Starbuck

Wheat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'AAC Alida', 'Griffon', 'CDC Hughes' and 'CDC Landmark'

Summary: The intensity of anthocyanin colouration on the coleoptile for 'AAC Starbuck' is absent or very weak whereas it is strong for 'AAC Alida', of weak to medium intensity for 'CDC Landmark' and of medium intensity for 'CDC Hughes'. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the auricles on the flag leaf is absent or very weak for 'AAC Starbuck' whereas it is medium for 'AAC Alida'. 'AAC Starbuck' has a medium degree of glaucosity on the flag leaf sheath whereas the glaucosity is weak for 'CDC Landmark' and 'CDC Hughes'. At maturity, the plants of 'AAC Starbuck' are shorter than the plants of 'Griffon'. In cross-section, the straw pith of 'AAC Starbuck' is thin whereas it is of medium thickness for 'CDC Landmark' and 'CDC Hughes'. Excluding the awns, the spike of 'AAC Starbuck' is longer than that of 'CDC Landmark'. The lower glume beak for 'AAC Starbuck' is of short to medium length whereas it is long for 'CDC Landmark' and long to very long for 'CDC Hughes'.

Description:

PLANT: common wheat, spring type, intermediate growth habit at 5 to 9 tiller stage, medium frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves

SEEDLING (4 LEAF STAGE): absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of coleoptile, glabrous lower leaf sheaths and blades

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

CULM NECK: absent or very sparse hairiness of uppermost node, medium glaucosity
STRAW (AT MATURITY): thin pith in cross-section, no anthocyanin colouration

SPIKE: medium glaucosity at heading, parallel sided to tapering shape in profile, medium density, white at maturity, medium length, erect to inclined attitude, absent or very sparse hairiness of convex surface of apical rachis segment
AWNS: shorter than length of spike, white at maturity
LOWER GLUME SHOULDER: medium width, straight to elevated shape
LOWER GLUME BEAK: short to medium length, slightly curved shape

KERNEL: hard red type, dark red

INSECT REACTION: resistant to Orange Wheat Blossom Midge (Sitodiplosis mosellana)

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Starbuck' (experimental designations B0811-LE13A and BW5011) originated from the cross between 'Griffon' and BW876 followed by a cross with 'Carberry' at the Swift Current Research and Development Centre of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. The final cross was made in 2008. About 10,000 F2 seeds were inoculated with Common bunt and planted in a rust epiphytotic nursery. Approximately 422 early maturing plants were selected based on minimal disease, semi-dwarf stature, strong straw and kernel characteristics. In a contra season nursery near Lincoln, New Zealand, 344 F3 lines were grown and 94 lines were selected based on maturity, plant height, and straw strength. The F4, F6 and F8 generations were planted in various locations in Saskatchewan (near Swift Current and Melfort), assessed for grain yield and plants were selected based on their response to Leaf and Stem rust in an epiphytotic nursery near Glenlea, Manitoba. The F5 and F7 generations were grown near Irwell, New Zealand. In the F8 generation, response to Fusarium head blight was assessed near Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. Selected lines were screened for resistance to mixtures of races of Loose smut and Common bunt. The line designated as B0811-LE13A was evaluated in the Western Bread Wheat A4 test in 2013, the Western Bread Wheat B test in 2014 and as BW5011 in the Western Bread Wheat from 2015 to 2017.

Tests & Trials: The comparative tests and trials for 'AAC Starbuck' were conducted at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Swift Current Research and Development Centre during the 2017 and 2018 growing seasons. There were 4 replicates of 4.6 square metre plots arranged in an RCB Design. Each plot consisted of 4 rows, each 4 metres long, with an inter-row spacing of 23 cm. The planting density was 220 plants per metre squared, with 3200 plants per variety grown per year. Measured characteristics were based on 20 measurements per variety per year. Mean differences were significant at the 5% confidence probability level based on LSD values.

Comparison tables for 'AAC Starbuck' with reference varieties 'AAC Alida', 'Griffon', 'CDC Hughes' and 'CDC Landmark'

Plant height at maturity (stem plus spike, including awns) (cm)

Spike length (excluding awns) (cm)

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Wheat: 'AAC Starbuck' (bottom left) with reference varieties 'Griffon' (top left), 'CDC Hughes' (top centre), 'CDC Landmark' (top right) and 'AAC Alida' (bottom right)

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Wheat: 'AAC Starbuck' (left) with reference varieties 'AAC Alida' (centre left) 'Griffon' (centre), 'CDC Hughes' (centre right) and 'CDC Landmark' (right)