AAC Broadacres

Wheat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'AAC Alida', 'Carberry', 'AAC Starbuck' and 'AAC Wheatland'

Summary: The coleoptile of 'AAC Broadacres' has an absent or very weak to weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration while the coleoptile of 'AAC Alida' has a strong to very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration. At booting, the frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves is medium to high for 'AAC Broadacres' while the frequency is low to medium for 'AAC Alida'. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration on the flag leaf auricles of 'AAC Broadacres' is absent or very weak while the intensity is medium to strong on the auricles of 'AAC Alida'. At maturity, the plants of 'AAC Broadacres' are shorter than the plants of 'AAC Alida' and taller than those of 'Carberry' and 'AAC Wheatland'. The awns of 'AAC Broadacres' are equal to or longer than the length of the spike while those of the reference varieties are shorter than the spike. The spike of 'AAC Broadacres' has an erect attitude while the spike of 'AAC Starbuck' has an inclined attitude.

Description:

PLANT: common spring type, intermediate 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): absent or very weak to weak 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 degree of glaucosity of sheath and lower side of leaf blade, glabrous blade and sheath

CULM: medium to strong glaucosity
STRAW: thin pith in cross-section, no anthocyanin colouration at maturity

SPIKE: medium to strong glaucosity at heading, tapering and parallel sided shape in profile, lax to medium density, white at maturity, erect attitude
AWNS: equal to or longer than length of spike, white at maturity
LOWER GLUME SHOULDER: medium to broad, slightly sloping to straight shape
LOWER GLUME BEAK: short to medium length, straight to slightly curved shape

KERNEL: hard red, dark red

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Broadacres' (experimental designations B0919-EJ05C and BW5028) originated from the cross between 'Vesper' and 'Carberry' with a subsequent backcross to 'Carberry' made in 2009 at the Swift Current Research and Development Centre of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. In 2010, the F1 seeds were increased and 10,000 F2 seeds space planted in an epiphytotic field nursery near Swift Current, Saskatchewan. Based on straw strength, time of maturity, kernel characteristics and disease resistance, 286 F2 lines were selected and grown in head rows in a contra season nursery in Lincoln, New Zealand in 2011. Based on relative maturity, plant height and straw strength, 157 F3 lines were selected, harvested individually and the F4 grown in four-row plots in locations near Swift Current, Indian Head and Regina, Saskatchewan and assessed for disease resistance near Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. Based on agronomic performance, 46 families were selected and grown as head rows in Irwell, New Zealand. F5 selections were based on grain quality and kernel attributes and 179 lines grown in yield trials located near Swift Current, Indian Head and Lacombe, Alberta and assessed for disease resistance near Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. Satisfying all criteria, in 2013, a single F6 plant was identified as B0919-EJ05C. From the F6 to F8 generations, further agronomic assessments were conducted in mutiple locations in Western Canada and near Irwell, New Zealand while disease reactions were assessed in Carman and Glenlea, Manitoba and near Swift Current, Saskatchewan. B0919-EJ05C was evaluated in the Western Bread Wheat 2 test in 2014, in the Western Bread Wheat B test in 2015 and as BW5028 in the Western Bread Wheat Registration test from 2016 to 2018.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trials of 'AAC Broadacres' were conducted during the 2018 and 2019 growing seasons at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Swift Current Research and Development Centre, Swift Current, Saskatchewan. There were 4 replicates arranged in an RCB Design. Plots consisted of 4 rows, with a row length of 4 metres and row spacing of 23 cm. Measured characteristics were based on 20 measurements per variety per year. Mean differences are significant at the 5% probability level based on LSD values. Insect reaction ratings were provided through the Western Bread Wheat C Registration Trials conducted 2016 to 2018.

Comparison table for 'AAC Broadacres' with reference varieties 'AAC Alida', 'Carberry', 'AAC Starbuck' and 'AAC Wheatland'

Plant height at maturity (including awns) (cm)

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Wheat: 'AAC Broadacres' (left) with reference varieties 'AAC Alida' (centre left), 'Carberry' (centre), 'AAC Starbuck' (centre right) and 'AAC Wheatland' (right)

Click on image for larger view

Wheat: 'AAC Broadacres' (left) with reference varieties 'AAC Alida' (centre left), 'Carberry' (centre), 'AAC Starbuck' (centre right) and 'AAC Wheatland' (right)