WPB Whistler

Wheat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Alderon', 'Pasteur' and 'Sparrow'

Summary: At the 5 to 9 tiller stage, the plants of 'WPB Whistler' have an erect to semi-erect growth habit whereas the plants of 'Alderon' have an intermediate, between semi-erect and semi-prostrate, growth habit. The plants of 'WPB Whistler' head earlier than those of 'Alderon' and 'Sparrow'. At booting, the glaucosity on the flag leaf sheath of 'WPB Whistler' is medium to strong whereas the glaucosity on the flag leaf sheath of 'Sparrow' is absent or very weak to weak. The lower side of the flag leaf blade of 'WPB Whistler' has a medium degree of glaucosity whereas that of 'Sparrow' has an absent or very weak to weak glaucosity. At heading, the spike of 'WPB Whistler' has medium to strong glaucosity whereas glaucosity is absent or very weak to weak on the spike of 'Pasteur' and weak to medium on that of 'Sparrow'. At maturity, the spike of 'WPB Whistler' has an inclined attitude whereas those of the reference varieties have an erect attitude.

Description:

PLANT: common wheat, spring type, erect to semi-erect growth habit at the 5 to 9 tiller stage, heads emerge mid to late season, matures mid to late season

SEEDLING (4 LEAF STAGE): glabrous sheath and blade of lower leaves

FLAG LEAF: absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of auricles, medium to strong glaucosity of sheath, medium glaucosity of lower side of leaf blade

CULM: strong glaucosity
STRAW (AT MATURITY): thin to medium thickness of pith in cross section, no anthocyanin colouration

SPIKE: medium to strong degree of glaucosity at heading, parallel-sided shape in profile, medium density, yellowish white at maturity, inclined attitude
AWNS: shorter than spike length, yellowish white at maturity
LOWER GLUME: glabrous
LOWER GLUME SHOULDER: slightly sloping shape

KERNEL: medium red

Origin & Breeding History: 'WPB Whistler' (experimental designation WPB 10SW010-06) originated from the cross between LW 018W004-01 and 'Hamlet' made in 2010 at the Wiersum Plant Breeding Station near Dronten, The Netherlands. The F1 to F5 generations were processed at the Wiersum Plant Breeding Station. The F1 and F3 generations were grown in a greenhouse while the F2 generation was bulked from the field. In 2012, F4 head rows were grown in the field and selections made based on heading time, plant height, lodging resistance and disease resistance. In 2013, F5 micro plots were visually selected for all possible characteristics and lines further selected based on the specific weight, thousand grain weight and protein content. In 2014, seven F6 lines were planted in observations trials near Taber, Alberta and Fort Whyte, Manitoba, Canada. Two of the seven F7 lines were entered into yield trials in five locations in 2015. One line, designated as WPB 10SW010-06, was advanced to the Special Purpose Registration Trials in 2016. In parallel to the F7 testing, maintenance breeding started on the F8 plant progenies obtained in the winter of 2014-2015. Six plant progenies were chosen based on uniformity of morphology and phenol colouration and were grown, compared, rogued for off-types and bulked from 36 square metre plots in 2016. Selected ears were grown in 120 head rows in 2017. In 2018, five head rows were harvested separately and used to form 5 blocs of 30 head rows which were bulked to produce breeder seed at the Wiersum Plant Breeding Station near Dronten.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trials for 'WPB Whistler' were conducted near Fort Whyte, Manitoba during the 2020 and 2021 growing seasons. There were 4 replications arranged in an RCB design. Each plot consisted of 4 rows, with a row length of 4.5 metres spaced 18 cm apart. The planting density of 307 plants per metre squared resulted in 1000 plants per replicate per variety.

Comparison table for 'WPB Whistler' with reference varieties 'Alderon', 'Pasteur' and 'Sparrow'

Days to heading (number of days from planting to when 50% heads are fully emerged from boot)

Click on image for larger view

Wheat: 'WPB Whistler' (left) with reference varieties 'Alderon' (centre left), 'Pasteur' (centre right) and 'Sparrow' (right)