OAC Twilight

Wheat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Branson' and 'Cruze'

Summary: The coleoptile of 'OAC Twilight' has a medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration whereas that of 'Branson' has a very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration and that of 'Cruze' has absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration. At maturity, the lower glume beak of 'OAC Twilight' is short and straight whereas the lower glume beak is of medium length and slightly curved for both reference varieties.

Description:

PLANT: winter type, common wheat, intermediate growth habit at 5 to 9 tiller stage

SEEDLING (4-LEAF STAGE): medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the coleoptile, glabrous sheath and leaf blade of lower leaves

FLAG LEAF: absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of auricles, medium degree of glaucosity of sheath at heading, glabrous sheath and blade before anthesis

CULM: weak glaucosity at heading, straight neck at maturity
STRAW (AT MATURITY): pith thin in cross-section, anthocyanin colouration absent

SPIKE: weak glaucosity at heading, tapering shape in profile, medium density, inclined attitude, yellow at maturity
AWNS: shorter than spike length, light brown at maturity
LOWER GLUME: medium width, medium length
LOWER GLUME SHOULDER: broad, straight
LOWER GLUME BEAK: short, straight

KERNEL: soft red type, light red, medium size

Origin & Breeding History: 'OAC Twilight' (experimental designations OAC19 SRW-03 and LES168064) originated from a cross between 'MO111359' and 'LCS19228', which was completed at Limagrain Cereal Seeds, Illinois, USA in 2013. Double haploid lines were created from the F1 seed in 2014 and grown as single plots and evaluated in 2015 to 2016. 'OAC Twilight' was selected in 2016 based on yield, disease resistance, and general agronomic traits. The line, designated as LES168064, was received by the University of Guelph and planted in fall 2016. 'LES168064' was evaluated in a preliminary yield test at Elora, ON and advanced yield trials in Ontario in 2017 and 2018, respectively. During 2018-19 and 2019-20 growing seasons, this line was tested in the Ontario registration trials. Breeder seed production commenced in the fall of 2020.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trials for 'OAC Twilight' were conducted at University of Guelph, Elora Research Station, Elora, Ontario in 2021 and 2022. The varieties in the trial were sown in the previous fall in late September. There were 3 replicates per variety arranged in an RCB design. Plots were 4.24 square metres. There were approximately 2100 plants per variety per year.

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Wheat: 'OAC Twilight' (centre) with reference varieties 'Branson' (left) and 'Cruze' (right)