Gallus

Wheat

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Keldin'

Summary: The frequency of recurved flag leaves on the plants of 'Gallus' is absent or very low whereas it is medium for 'Keldin'. The anthocyanin colouration of the flag leaf auricles of 'Gallus' is weak intensity whereas it is absent or very low for 'Keldin'. The flag leaves of 'Gallus' are narrower than those of 'Keldin'. The flag leaf sheath of 'Gallus' has weak to medium glaucosity whereas 'Keldin' has strong. The density of the spike of 'Gallus' is lax to medium whereas it is dense for 'Keldin'. The lower glume of 'Gallus' is longer than that of 'Keldin'. At maturity, the spike attitude of 'Gallus' is inclined whereas it is erect for 'Keldin'. The kernel of 'Gallus' is oval in shape with an angular cheek whereas it is elliptic in shape with a rounded cheek for 'Keldin'.

Description:

PLANT: hard red winter type, semi-erect to intermediate growth habit at the 5 to 9 tiller stage, heads emerge mid-season

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

FLAG LEAF: absent or very low frequency of plants with recurved flag leaves, weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the auricles, weak to medium glaucosity of the sheath, glabrous blade and sheath

CULM NECK: strong glaucosity, straight
STRAW: very thin pith in cross-section, no anthocyanin colouration
SPIKE: medium to strong glaucosity at heading, tapering shape in profile, lax to medium density, white at maturity, inclined attitude
AWNS: shorter than length of spike, light brown at maturity
LOWER GLUME: long, medium width, glabrous
LOWER GLUME SHOULDER: narrow, very slightly sloping shape
LOWER GLUME BEAK: medium to long, slightly curved shape

KERNEL: dark red, medium size, medium to long, medium width, oval, angular cheek, medium length brush hairs, narrow and medium depth of crease
GERM: small to medium size, broad elliptical shape

WINTER SURVIVAL: good
BREAD MAKING QUALITY: good

Origin & Breeding History: 'Gallus' originated from the cross 'G008 2527' / 'Pegassos' made in 1997 at Probstdorf, Austria and was developed using a pedigree breeding method. The F1 was grown in Chile during the off-season and was grown on and harvested in bulk in the F2 in 1998. In F2, only a negative selection of too tall plants took place. Single plant sowing was carried out in the F3 in 1999 from bulked F2 seed, followed by single plant selection and small double-row plots grown in the F4 in 2000. In 2001, the F5 was grown at the breeding station and at additional observation plots and were scored for disease resistance. Forty ears were cut and planted in the F6 as ear rows in a maintenance block parallel to a four location yield test. Four sublines were derived in the F6:5 and replicated separately, again 8 sublines were derived in the F7:6 in the following year and replicated separately as groups of ear rows in the F8. Sublines in the F9 were comparatively tested in yield trials in the F10 in 2006. The best performing lines from F10 were bulked as breeder's seed for large scale multiplication. From 2003 onwards, the variety was evaluated in several countries. Selection criteria were winter hardiness, milling quality, high yields in combination with disease resistance and/or tolerances.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trials were conducted during the 2014 and 2015 growing seasons at C&M Seeds in Palmerston, Ontario. Plots consisted of 8 rows with a row length of 4 metres and a row spacing of 15 cm. Planting density was 400 seeds per metre squared. There were 4 replicates arranged in a RCB design. Measured characteristics were based on 20 measurements per variety per year. Mean differences were significant at the 5% confidence probability level based on a paired Student's t-test.

Comparison tables for 'Gallus' with reference variety 'Keldin'

Flag leaf width (mm)

Lower glume length (mm)

Click on image for larger view

Wheat: 'Gallus' (centre) with reference variety, 'Keldin' (left)

Click on image for larger view

Wheat: 'Gallus' (centre) with reference variety, 'Keldin' (left)