WB425

Wheat

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'CM249', '25R34' and 'E1007R'

Summary: The anthocyanin colouration of the coleoptile of 'WB425' is absent or very weak whereas it is weak to medium on 'CM249' and medium on '25R34'. The flag leaves of 'WB425' are shorter than those of '25R34'. 'WB425' heads earlier than '25R34' and 'E1007R'. At maturity, the plants of 'WB425' are taller than those of 'E1007R'. The lower glumes of 'WB425' are narrower than those of the reference varieties. The lower glume beak of 'WB425' is medium to long whereas it is short on 'CM249' and short to medium length on 'E1007R'. The lower glume beak of 'WB425' is moderately curved whereas it is slightly curved on the reference varieties. 'WB425' has a lower thousand kernel weight than the reference varieties.

Description:

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

SEEDLING: absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of coleoptile, glabrous lower leaf sheaths and blades

FLAG LEAF: absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration of auricles, medium to strong glaucosity of sheath, glabrous blade and sheath

CULM NECK: weak to medium glaucosity, straight
STRAW: very thin pith in cross section, no anthocyanin colouration at maturity
SPIKE: medium glaucosity, tapering shape in profile, lax to medium density, white at maturity, inclined to nodding attitude, absent or very sparse hairiness of convex surface of apical rachis segment
AWNS: shorter than length of spike, white
LOWER GLUME: medium length, narrow, glabrous
LOWER GLUME SHOULDER: absent or very narrow, sloping shape
LOWER GLUME BEAK: medium to long, moderately curved

KERNEL: medium red, small size, short, narrow to medium width, broad elliptical shape, rounded cheek, short to medium length brush hairs, narrow and very shallow crease
GERM: small, round to oval shape

Origin & Breeding History: 'WB425' (experimental designation CM8-425) is a soft red winter wheat variety developed by Monsanto Technology LLC, using a modified bulk breeding method. The final cross, 2571/Y91-6B, took place in 1996 in Lafayette, Indiana, USA. In 2004, one F4:5 line was selected. The F9 was bulked from progenies of 20 F8 random single plant selections. Selection criteria included high yield and test weight, resistance to lodging and resistance to Fusarium head blight, leaf rust and powdery mildew.

Tests & Trials: The tests and trials for 'WB425' were conducted in Palmerston, Ontario during the 2012 and 2013 growing seasons. A 4 replicate RCB design was planted with each replicate consisting of 8 rows, measuring 4 metres in length, seeded at a rate of 400 seeds per square metre. Measured characteristics were based on 20 measurements per variety per year; thousand kernel weight measurements were based on 10 measurements per variety per year.

Comparison tables for 'WB425' with reference varieties 'CM249', '25R34' and 'E1007R'

Flag leaf length (cm)

Days to heading (from planting)

Days to heading (Julian days)

Plant height (cm)

Lower glume width (mm)

Kernel weight (grams per 1000 kernels)

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Wheat: 'WB425' (top left) with reference varieties 'CM249' (top right), '25R34' (bottom left) and 'E1007R' (bottom right)

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Wheat: 'WB425' (left) with reference varieties 'CM249' (centre right), '25R34' (centre right) and 'E1007R' (right)