AAC Hassler

Wheat

Variety Description

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

Summary: The coleoptile of 'AAC Hassler' has a strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration whereas that of 'AAC Redwater' has a medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration. At booting, the flag leaf sheath of 'AAC Hassler' has strong glaucosity whereas that of 'AAC Darby' has a medium degree of glaucosity. The lower side of the flag leaf blade of 'AAC Hassler' has strong to very strong glaucosity whereas that of 'AAC Darby' has a medium to strong degree of glaucosity. The shoulder on the lower glume of 'AAC Hassler' is narrow whereas it is medium to broad for 'AAC Redstar' and 'AAC Redwater', and of a medium width for 'AAC Darby'. The beak on the lower glume of 'AAC Hassler' is very long whereas it is of a medium length for the reference varieties. The kernel cheek shape of 'AAC Hassler' is rounded whereas it is angular for the reference varieties.

Description:

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

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

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

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

SPIKE: strong glaucosity at heading, tapering to parallel sided shape in profile, medium to dense, yellow at maturity
AWNS: equal to spike length
LOWER GLUME SHOULDER: narrow
LOWER GLUME BEAK: very long

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

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

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Hassler' (experimental designations PT496 and 12B10-BF3G) originated from the cross between 'CDC Titanium' and 'Thorsby' conducted at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Beaverlodge Research and Development Centre in Beaverlodge, Alberta in 2012. The F1 progeny was increased in the greenhouse at the Beaverlodge Research Station in 2012 and 10 F2 bulk plots were seeded with 25 heads harvested per plot. In the winter of 2013-2014, 126 selected F3 heads were grown as hill plots in Palmerston North, New Zealand, from which 104 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 from 2015 to 2018 with an F11 line being designated as 12B10-BF3G. The line was tested in the Parkland Bread Wheat Registration trials as PT496 from 2019 to 2021. Breeder seed production commenced in 2021 at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Seed Increase Unit, Indian Head, Saskatchewan.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trials for 'AAC Hassler' 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 2019 to 2021.

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