AAC Darby

Wheat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'AAC Redstar', 'AAC Redwater' and 'AAC Hassler'

Summary: At booting, the flag leaf sheath of 'AAC Darby' has a medium degree of glaucosity whereas that of 'AAC Redstar' has strong to very strong glaucosity and those of 'AAC Redwater' and 'AAC Hassler' have strong glaucosity. The lower side of the flag leaf blade of 'AAC Darby' has medium to strong glaucosity whereas that of 'AAC Hassler' has strong to very strong glaucosity. The plants of 'AAC Darby' head earlier than those of 'AAC Redstar' and 'AAC Redwater'. At heading, the awns of 'AAC Darby' are equal to or longer than the spike whereas those of 'AAC Redstar' and 'AAC Redwater' are shorter than the spike. The beak on the lower glume of 'AAC Darby' is of a medium length whereas it is very long for 'AAC Hassler'. The kernel cheek shape of 'AAC Darby' is angular whereas it is rounded for 'AAC Hassler'.

Description:

PLANT: spring type, common wheat, semi-erect to intermediate growth habit at 5 to 9 tiller stage

SEEDLING (4-LEAF STAGE): medium to strong anthocyanin colouration of coleoptile

FLAG LEAF: medium glaucosity of sheath at heading, medium to strong glaucosity of lower side of leaf blade

CULM: medium to strong glaucosity of neck at heading
STRAW (AT MATURITY): pith of medium thickness in cross-section

SPIKE: medium to strong glaucosity at heading, tapering to parallel sided shape in profile, medium density, yellow at maturity
AWNS: equal to or longer than spike length
LOWER GLUME SHOULDER: medium width
LOWER GLUME BEAK: medium length

KERNEL: hard red type, medium to dark red, angular cheek shape

DISEASE REACTIONS: resistant to Leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) and Stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis); moderately resistant to Stem rust (Puccinia graminis); moderately resistant to moderately susceptible to Fusarium head blight (Fusarium graminearum)

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Darby' (experimental designations PT495 and 11B22-DZ2H) originated from the cross between PT459 and 'CDC Titanium' conducted at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Beaverlodge Research and Development Centre in Beaverlodge, Alberta in 2011. The F1 progeny was increased in the greenhouse at the Beaverlodge Research Station in 2012 and 15 F2 bulk plots were seeded with 30 heads harvested per plot. From 2012 to 2013, 375 selected F3 heads were grown as hill plots in Palmerston North, New Zealand, from which 188 were selected with 4 heads harvested per plot. Selection criteria included seed appearance, stem rust, leaf rust, and common bunt resistance, protein concentration, flour yield and baking quality. Line progressions occurred between 2015 to 2018 resulting in an F11 line, designated as 11B22-DZ2H, which was tested in the Parkland Bread Wheat Registration trials as PT495 from 2018 to 2020. Breeder seed production commenced in 2020 at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Seed Increase Unit, Indian Head, Saskatchewan.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trials for 'AAC Darby' were conducted at the Saskatoon Research and Development Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 2021 and 2022. There were 3 replicates per variety arranged in an RCB design. Plots were 2.98 square metres, and consisted of 5 rows, 3.35 metres in length, with a row spacing of 18 cm. The planting density was 264 plants per square metre resulting in approximately 3000 plants per variety per year. Disease and insect reaction ratings were obtained from the Prairie Grain Development Committee assessed from 2018 to 2020.

Comparison table for 'AAC Darby' with reference varieties 'AAC Redstar', 'AAC Redwater' and 'AAC Hassler'

Days to heading (number of days from planting to when 50% heads are fully emerged from boot)

Click on image for larger view

Wheat: 'AAC Darby' (left) with reference varieties 'AAC Redstar' (centre) and 'AAC Redwater' (right)