AAC Wheatland

Wheat

Variety Description

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

Summary: The intensity of anthocyanin colouration on the coleoptile for 'AAC Wheatland' is absent or very weak to weak whereas it is strong for 'AAC Alida', of weak to medium intensity for 'CDC Landmark' and of medium intensity for 'CDC Hughes'. At booting, the frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves is low to medium for 'AAC Wheatland' whereas 'CDC Landmark' and 'CDC Hughes' have a medium to high frequency of recurved flag leaves. 'AAC Wheatland' has a longer flag leaf than that of 'Carberry', 'CDC Hughes' and 'CDC Landmark'. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the auricles on the flag leaf is absent or very weak for 'AAC Wheatland' whereas it is medium for 'AAC Alida'. 'AAC Wheatland' 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 Wheatland' are shorter than those of 'AAC Alida' and 'CDC Landmark'. In cross-section, the straw pith of 'AAC Wheatland' is thin whereas it is of medium thickness for 'CDC Landmark' and 'CDC Hughes'. Excluding the awns, the spike of 'AAC Wheatland' is longer than that of 'CDC Landmark'. 'AAC Wheatland' has an erect spike attitude whereas those of 'CDC Landmark' and 'CDC Hughes' have an inclined attitude. The lower glume beak for 'AAC Wheatland' is medium in 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, low to medium frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves

SEEDLING (4 LEAF STAGE): absent or very weak to 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 lower side of blade and sheath, glabrous blade and sheath

CULM NECK: medium to strong glaucosity
STRAW (AT MATURITY): thin pith in cross-section, no anthocyanin colouration

SPIKE: medium glaucosity at heading, parallel to fusiform sided shape in profile, medium density, white at maturity, medium length, erect attitude
AWNS: shorter than length of spike, white at maturity
LOWER GLUME BEAK: medium length, straight to slightly curved

KERNEL: hard red type, dark red

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Wheatland' (experimental designations B0819-GC01D and BW5013) originated from a cross between BD94B*D0248 and 'Carberry', followed by a single backcross 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 407 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, 337 F3 lines were grown and 206 lines were selected based on maturity, plant height, and straw strength. The F4, F6 and F8 generations were planted in various locations in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (near Swift Current, Indian Head, Regina and Morden), 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 Carman, Manitoba. Selected lines were screened for resistance to mixtures of races of Loose smut and Common bunt. The line designated as B0819-GC01D was evaluated in the Western Bread Wheat A3 test in 2013, the Western Bread Wheat B test in 2014 and, as BW5013, in the Western Bread Wheat C test from 2015 to 2017.

Tests & Trials: The comparative tests and trials for 'AAC Wheatland' 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 Wheatland' with reference varieties 'AAC Alida', 'Carberry', 'CDC Hughes' and 'CDC Landmark'

Flag leaf length (cm)

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

Spike length (excluding awns) (cm)

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

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