Antartika

Wheat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Snowbird', 'Snowstar', 'Major' and 'RGT Presidio'

Summary: At the 4 leaf stage, the lower leaf blades of 'Antartika' are glabrous while those of 'Snowbird', 'Snowstar' and 'RGT Presidio' are pubescent. At heading, the spike of ‘Antartika' has weak glaucosity whereas the spike of 'RGT Presidio' has a medium degree of glaucosity and that of 'Major' has strong glaucosity. The neck of the culm of ‘Antartika' has weak glaucosity, whereas those of 'Snowbird' and 'Snowstar' have a medium degree of glaucosity, the neck of the culm of 'RGT Presidio' has strong glaucosity and that of 'Major' has very strong glaucosity. At maturity, the spike of ‘Antartika' is yellow whereas those of 'Snowbird', 'Snowstar' and 'Major' are white. The lower glume of ‘Antartika' is glabrous while those of 'Snowbird', 'Snowstar' and 'RGT Presidio' are slightly pubescent. The lower glume beak of ‘Antartika' is straight whereas the lower glume beak of 'Snowbird', 'Snowstar', and 'RGT Presidio' are slightly curved and that of 'Major' is moderately curved. The plants of ‘Antartika' mature earlier than those of 'Major'. The kernel weight of ‘Antartika' is greater than those of 'Snowbird', 'Snowstar' and 'RGT Presidio'.

Description:

PLANT: hard white common wheat, spring type, erect to semi-erect growth habit at the 5 to 9 tiller stage, medium to high frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves, matures early

SEEDLING (4 LEAF STAGE): absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of coleoptile, glabrous sheath and blade of lower leaves

FLAG LEAF: weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of auricles, medium degree of glaucosity of sheath, glabrous blade and sheath

CULM: weak glaucosity, straight neck
STRAW (AT MATURITY): thin pith in cross-section, no anthocyanin colouration

SPIKE: weak glaucosity at heading, parallel sided shape in profile, medium density, yellow at maturity, inclined attitude, awnlets present, medium pubescence of convex surface of apical rachis segment
AWNLETS: shorter than spike, white at maturity
LOWER GLUME: medium to long, medium width, glabrous
LOWER GLUME SHOULDER: medium to broad, straight
LOWER GLUME BEAK: short, straight
LOWEST LEMMA: slightly curved beak

KERNEL: white, medium size, medium width, medium length, oval shape, rounded cheek, medium length brush hairs, medium width and depth of crease
GERM: medium sized, oval shape

Origin & Breeding History: ‘Antartika' (experimental code 13SW61304W) originated from the cross between Baïchum #5 and 'Snowbird' conducted in 2006 at the Semican Research Centre in Princeville, Quebec. The F1 through F5 generations were bulk increased between 2007 to 2012 in Princeville, Quebec. Individual F6 spikes were selected based on seed weight and F7 head rows were selected based on yield potential, maturity, grain colour, lodging and disease resistance. ‘Antartika' was identified at the F7 generation in 2013 and further evaluated based on yield, grain weight, lodging resistance, maturity, protein content, bread making quality and fusarium resistance. Breeder seed was established at the F15 generation in 2021.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trials for ‘Antartika' were conducted at the Semican Research Centre in Princeville, Quebec during the 2023 and 2024 growing seasons. The trial consisted of three replications arranged in a RCB design with each plot consisting of 6 rows with a row length of 4 metres and row spacing of 18 cm. The planting density was 75 seeds per linear metre resulting in a minimum of 5400 plants per variety 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 Student's t-test.

Comparison tables for 'Antartika' with reference varieties 'Snowbird', 'Snowstar', 'Major' and 'RGT Presidio'

Plant maturity (number of days from sowing to when plants are mature)

Kernel weight (grams per 1000 kernels) (g)

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Wheat: ‘Antartika' (centre) with reference varieties ‘Major' (left), ‘Snowstar' (centre left), ‘RGT Presidio' (centre right) and ‘Snowbird' (right)

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Wheat: ‘Antartika' (centre) with reference varieties ‘Snowbird' (left), ‘Major' (centre left), ‘RGT Presidio' (centre right) and ‘Snowstar' (right)

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Wheat: ‘Antartika' (centre) with reference varieties ‘Major' (top left), ‘Snowstar' (top right), ‘RGT Presidio' (bottom right) and ‘Snowbird' (bottom left)