AAC Westking

Wheat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'AAC Walsh', ‘AAC Brandon', ‘AAC Goodwin', ‘AAC Viewfield' and ‘AAC Alida'

Summary: The coleoptile of ‘AAC Westking' has a strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration while the coleoptile of ‘AAC Goodwin' has an absent or very weak to weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, the coleoptile of ‘AAC Viewfield' has a weak to medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration and that of ‘AAC Alida' has a strong to very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration. At booting, the flag leaf auricles of 'AAC Westking' have an absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration while the flag leaf auricles of ‘AAC Viewfield' range between a weak to medium and medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration and those of ‘AAC Alida' have a strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration. The flag leaf of 'AAC Westking' is shorter than the flag leaf of ‘AAC Brandon' and longer than that of ‘AAC Alida'. The flag leaf sheath of ‘AAC Westking' has a medium degree of glaucosity while that of ‘AAC Viewfield' has strong glaucosity. At heading, the spike of 'AAC Westking' has a medium degree of glaucosity while that of ‘AAC Viewfield' has strong glaucosity. The culm of 'AAC Westking' has a medium degree of glaucosity while that of ‘AAC Alida' has strong to very strong glaucosity. At maturity, the plants of 'AAC Westking' are shorter than the plants of ‘AAC Goodwin' and ‘AAC Alida'. The spike of 'AAC Westking' is longer than those of ‘AAC Goodwin' and ‘AAC Alida'. The spike of 'AAC Westking' has an erect attitude while the spike of ‘AAC Brandon' has an inclined attitude. The kernel of 'AAC Westking' is medium in size while those of ‘AAC Walsh' and ‘AAC Brandon' are large. The kernel of 'AAC Westking' is medium in length while those of ‘AAC Walsh', ‘AAC Brandon' and ‘AAC Goodwin' are long. The kernel of 'AAC Westking' is oval while those of ‘AAC Walsh', ‘AAC Brandon' and ‘AAC Goodwin' are elliptical in shape. The kernel of 'AAC Westking' has a rounded cheek while those of ‘AAC Walsh' and ‘AAC Viewfield' have an angular cheek.

Description:

PLANT: common spring type, ranging between a semi-erect to intermediate and intermediate growth habit at 5 to 9 tiller stage, medium to high frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves, heads emerge mid-season

SEEDLING (4-leaf stage): 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 degree of glaucosity of sheath and lower side of leaf blade

CULM: medium degree of glaucosity at heading
STRAW (AT MATURITY): thin pith in cross-section, no anthocyanin colouration

SPIKE: medium degree of glaucosity at heading, tapering shape in profile, lax to medium density, white at maturity, erect attitude
AWNS: shorter than spike, white at maturity
LOWER GLUME: long, medium width
LOWER GLUME SHOULDER: narrow to medium width, straight to elevated shape
LOWER GLUME BEAK: short to medium length, slightly to moderately curved

KERNEL: hard red type, dark red, medium sized, medium length, medium to broad, oval in shape, rounded cheek, medium length brush hairs
GERM: medium to large

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

Origin & Breeding History: ‘AAC Westking' (experimental designations B1314-DF02B & BW5090) originated from a three-way cross conducted at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Swift Current Research and Development Centre in Swift Current Saskatchewan in 2013. The initial cross between the varieties ‘AAC Goodwin' and ‘AAC Brandon' was followed by a cross with the variety ‘BW981'. The variety was advanced based on disease resistance, maturity, plant stature and height, lodging resistance, yield, kernel characteristics and grain quality with an F6:8 line designated B1314-DF02B in 2017. B1314-DF02B was entered in the Western Bread Wheat A2 test in 2018 and the Western Bread Wheat ‘B' test in 2019. The variety was entered in the Western bread Wheat C Registration test as BW5089 from 2020 to 2022. Breeder seed was established from 105 F6:10 breeder lines in 2022.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trials for 'AAC Westking' were conducted at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Swift Current Research and Development Centre in Swift Current, Saskatchewan during the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons. There were 4 replicates with plots arranged in a RCB design. Each plot consisted of 4 rows, each row measuring 4.0 metres long with an inter-row spacing of 23 cm. The planting density of 220 seeds per square metre resulted in approximately 3200 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 LSD values.

Comparison tables for 'AAC Westking' with reference varieties 'AAC Walsh', ‘AAC Brandon', ‘AAC Goodwin', ‘AAC Viewfield' and ‘AAC Alida'

Flag leaf length (cm)

Plant height at maturity (stem plus spike, including awns) (cm)

Spike length (excluding awns and awnlets) (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Wheat: ‘AAC Westking' (second from left) with reference varieties ‘AAC Walsh' (furthest left), ‘AAC Brandon' (third from left), ‘AAC Goodwin' (third from right), ‘AAC Viewfield' (second from right) and ‘AAC Alida' (furthest right)

Click on image for larger view

Wheat: ‘AAC Westking' (second from left) with reference varieties ‘AAC Walsh' (furthest left), ‘AAC Brandon' (third from left), ‘AAC Goodwin' (third from right), ‘AAC Viewfield' (second from right) and ‘AAC Alida' (furthest right)