AAC Russell

Wheat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'AAC Alida', 'BW876', 'Carberry' and 'AAC Starbuck'

Summary: The coleoptile of 'AAC Russell' has a strong to very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration while the coleoptile of 'Carberry' and 'AAC Starbuck' have an absent or very weak to weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration. At booting, the frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves is high for 'AAC Russell' while the frequency is low to medium for 'AAC Alida' and 'BW876'. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration on the flag leaf auricles of 'AAC Russell' is absent or very weak while it is medium to strong on the auricles of 'AAC Alida' and of a medium intensity on the auricles of 'BW876'. At heading, the spike of 'AAC Russell' has a weak degree of glaucosity while the spike of 'AAC Alida' has a medium to strong degree of glaucosity. At maturity, the plants of 'AAC Russell' are shorter than the plants of 'AAC Alida' and taller than those of 'Carberry'. The spike of 'AAC Russell' has an inclined attitude while the spike of 'AAC Alida' and 'BW876' have an erect attitude.

Description:

PLANT: common spring type, intermediate growth habit at the 5 to 9 tiller stage, high frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves, heads emerge early to 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 and lower side of leaf blade

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

SPIKE: weak glaucosity at heading, parallel sided shape in profile, medium density, white at maturity, incline attitude
AWNS: longer than length of spike, white at maturity
LOWER GLUME SHOULDER: narrow to medium width, slightly sloping to straight shape
LOWER GLUME BEAK: short, straight to slightly curved shape

KERNEL: hard red, dark red

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Russell' (experimental designations B0921-CX03B and PT252) originated from the cross between 'BW876' and 'CDC Kernen' and a subsequent cross 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 plants were increased in a greenhouse and screened for the Orange Wheat Blossom Midge resistance gene. Approximately 10,000 F2 seeds were space planted in an epiphytotic field nursery near Swift Current, Saskatchewan. Based on plant stature, time of maturity, straw strength, disease resistance and kernel characteristics, 303 F2 lines were sent to a contra season nursery in Lincoln, New Zealand in 2011. Remnant F3 seed was concurrently screened for the presence of the genes linked to Orange Wheat Blossom Midge and leaf rust resistance. Based on relative maturity, plant height, straw strength and the genotyping results, 76 F3 lines were selected, harvested individually and the F4 grown in four-row plots near Swift Current, Indian Head and Regina, Saskatchewan to assess yield and agronomic performance and assessed for disease resistance near Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. Based on agronomic performance, 18 families were selected from the trials near Swift Current and the F5 grown as head rows in Irwell, New Zealand. Lines were selected from these acceptable families based on additional assessment of grain quality and kernel attributes from remnant seed from the F4 yield trials. 76 F6 lines were selected and grown in yield trials near Swift Current and Indian Head, Saskatchewan and Lacombe, Alberta and assessed for disease resistance in a nursery near Portage la Prairie. Satisfying all criteria, in 2013, a single F6 plant was identified as B0921-CX03B. From the F6 to F8 generations, further agronomic assessments were conducted in multiple locations in Western Canada and near Irwell, New Zealand while disease reactions were assessed in Carman and Glenlea , Manitoba and near Swift Current, Saskatchewan. B0921-CX03B was evaluated in the Western Bread Wheat 3 test in 2014, in the Western Bread Wheat B test in 2015 and as PT252 in the Parkland Wheat Registration test from 2016 to 2018.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trials of 'AAC Russell' 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 Russell' with reference varieties 'AAC Alida', 'BW876', 'Carberry' and 'AAC Starbuck'

Plant height at maturity (including awns) (cm)

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Wheat: 'AAC Russell' (bottom left) with reference varieties 'BW876' (top left), 'Carberry' (top centre), 'AAC Starbuck' (top right) and 'AAC Alida' (bottom right)

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Wheat: 'AAC Russell' (left) with reference varieties 'AAC Alida' (centre left), 'BW876' (centre), 'Carberry' (centre right) and 'AAC Starbuck' (right)