Arkco

Wheat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Peribonka', 'Audika' and 'Lemieux'

Summary: At booting, the flag leaf auricles of 'Arkco' have an absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration whereas those of 'Audika' have a strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration. The flag leaf of 'Arkco' is longer than the flag leaves of 'Audika' and 'Lemieux' and is shorter than that of 'Peribonka'. The flag leaf of 'Arkco' is wider than that of 'Audika' and narrower than that of 'Peribonka'. At maturity, the plants of 'Arkco' are taller than the plants of 'Peribonka' and 'Lemieux'. The lower glume shoulder of 'Arkco' is elevated whereas that of 'Peribonka' and 'Lemieux' is slightly sloping to straight and that of 'Audika' is straight. The lower glume beak of 'Arkco' is short whereas those of 'Audika' and 'Lemieux' are long. The lower glume beak of 'Arkco' is straight while the lower glume beak of 'Peribonka' is slightly to moderately curved and those of 'Audika' and 'Lemieux' are moderately curved. The plants of 'Arkco' mature earlier than those of 'Peribonka' and 'Audika'. The 1000 kernel weight of 'Arkco' is greater than that of 'Audika' and less than that of 'Lemieux'.

Description:

PLANT: common wheat, spring type, semi-erect growth habit at the 5 to 9 tiller stage, medium to high frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves
SEEDLING (4 LEAF STAGE): glabrous sheath and blade of lower leaves
FLAG LEAF: absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of auricles, very strong glaucosity of sheath, glabrous blade and sheath
CULM: straight neck at maturity
STRAW (AT MATURITY): very thin to thin pith in cross-section
SPIKE: medium to strong glaucosity at heading, tapering shape in profile, medium density, white at maturity, erect attitude, awns present
AWNS: equal to length of spike
LOWER GLUME: long, medium to wide, glabrous
LOWER GLUME SHOULDER: narrow to medium width, elevated
LOWER GLUME BEAK: short, straight
KERNEL: hard red type, medium red

Origin & Breeding History: 'Arkco' (experimental designations CLB10-018,001, SB10-18) originated from the cross between 'AAC Scotia' and 'BS08-106' conducted in 2010 at Céréla Inc. in St-Hyacinthe, Quebec. The F1 through F5 generations were bulk increased between 2011 to 2015 with selections based on seed weight at each generation. One F6 head row was designated ‘SB10-18' based on grain yield, bread making quality and disease resistance. From 2017 through 2022, the line was further evaluated in yield and disease trials in multiple locations throughout Quebec. Breeder seed was established at the F11 generation in 2022.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trials for 'Arkco' were conducted at the Céréla Inc. facility in St.Hugues, Quebec during the 2023 and 2024 growing seasons. Plots consisted of two replications arranged in a RCB design with each plot consisting of 5 rows with a row length of 5 metres and row spacing of 19 cm. The planting density of 425 seeds per square metre resulted in approximately 3400 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 'Arkco' with reference varieties 'Peribonka', 'Audika' and 'Lemieux'

Flag leaf length (cm)

Flag leaf width (mm)

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

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

Kernel weight (grams per 1000 kernels)

Click on image for larger view

Wheat: ‘Arkco' (furthest left) with reference varieties 'Peribonka' (second from left), ‘Audika' (secondfrom right), ‘Lemieux' (furthest right)