AAC Current

Wheat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'AC Avonlea', 'Commander', 'AC Navigator' and 'Strongfield'

Summary: The flag leaf of 'AAC Current' is shorter than that of 'AC Avonlea', 'Commander' and 'Strongfield'. At maturity, the plants of 'AAC Current' are taller than those of 'Commander' and 'AC Navigator'. In cross section, the straw pith of 'AAC Current' is thin whereas it is medium in thickness in 'Commander' and 'AC Navigator'. The spike of 'AAC Current' is longer than that of 'Commander', 'AC Navigator' and 'Strongfield'. The awns of 'AAC Current' are white whereas they are brown to black on 'Commander' and 'AC Navigator'. 'AAC Current' is a low grain Cadmium variety whereas 'AC Avonlea' is high.

Description:

PLANT: erect growth habit at the 5 to 9 tiller stage, matures mid-season

SEEDLING: strong to very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration of coleoptile, glabrous lower leaf sheaths and blades

FLAG LEAF: low to medium frequency of plants with recurved/drooping flag leaves, very weak anthocyanin colouration of auricles, strong glaucosity of sheath, glabrous blade and sheath

CULM NECK: strong glaucosity, no curvature
STRAW: thin pith in cross section, no anthocyanin colouration at maturity
SPIKE: strong glaucosity, tapering shape, dense, off-white to yellow at maturity, erect, sparse hairiness of convex surface of apical segment
AWNS: longer than length of spike, white
LOWER GLUME: medium length and width, glabrous
LOWER GLUME SHOULDER: narrow, straight

KERNEL: amber colour, large, elliptical shape, angular cheek, short brush hairs, medium to wide width and medium to deep depth of crease
GERM: medium to large size, oval shape

DISEASE REACTION: resistant to Leaf Rust (Puccinia recondita) and Stem Rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici), moderately resistant to Common Bunt (Tilletia caries, Tilletia foetida), moderately resistant to moderately susceptible to Leaf Spot (caused by Pyrenophora tritici-repentis and Mycosphaerella graminicola), moderately susceptible to Loose smut (Ustilago tritici) and Fusarium head blight (Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium species)

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Current' (experimental designation DT813) was selected from the cross 9667B-AA4/DT704// 'Strongfield' made in 2001 at the Semiarid Prairie Agricultural Research Centre, Swift Current, Saskatchewan. F1 seeds were increased in the greenhouse and F2 plants were space planted in a disease epiphytotic field nursery near Swift Current in 2002. Individual plants were selected for leaf spot, leaf and stem rust resistance, plant height, straw strength and maturity. Seeds of individual spikes from selected plants were grown in F3 rows in a winter nursery near Leeston, New Zealand during the winter of 2002-2003. In 2003, the F4 lines were grown in plots near Swift Current and Regina, Saskatchewan. Five heads were selected from the Swift Current plots and grown in individual head rows in the winter nursery near Leeston, New Zealand in 2003-2004. The 175 selected F6 lines were grown near Swift Current, Regina and Indian Head, Saskatchewan and Lethbridge, Alberta. Selections were based on agronomic performance, end-use quality traits and disease resistance in 2004. Five heads were selected from genotype A0139-VJ03, were grown near Leeston, New Zealand and were selected for plant height, straw strength and maturity. The F8 line of A0139-VJ03 was grown in 2005 near Swift Current, Regina and Lethbridge and was selected for further trialling based on agronomic performance, quality traits and disease resistances. A0139-VJ03 was advanced to the Durum Western A3 test in 2006 and the Durum B test in 2007. From 2008 to 2011, 'AAC Current' was assessed in the Durum Cooperative Test as DT813.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials were conducted at the Semiarid Prairie Agricultural Research Centre, Swift Current, Saskatchewan in 2010 and 2012. Plots consisted of 4 rows, each 3 metres long with an inter-row spacing of 23 cm with 4 replications per variety arranged in an RCB design. There were 40 leaf and 20 spike measurements. Plant height measurements were recorded as an average in each replicated plot. Means are based on a two year average. Differences are significant at the 5% probability level based on LSD values. Disease ratings were provided through the Disease Evaluation team of the Prairie Recommending Committee for Wheat, Rye and Triticale, Prairie Grain Development Committee. Grain Cadmium concentrations were measured by the Grain Research Laboratory of the Canadian Grain Commission.

Comparison tables for 'AAC Current' with reference varieties 'AC Avonlea', 'Commander', 'AC Navigator' and 'Strongfield'

Flag leaf length (cm)

Plant height (cm)

Spike length (cm)

Grain Cadmium concentration (mg/kg)

Click on image for larger view

Wheat: 'AAC Current' (bottom left) with reference varieties 'AC Avonlea' (bottom centre), 'Commander' (bottom right), 'AC Navigator' (top left) and 'Strongfield' (top right)

Click on image for larger view

Wheat: 'AAC Current' (left) with reference varieties 'AC Avonlea' (centre left), 'Commander' (centre), 'AC Navigator' (centre right) and 'Strongfield' (right)