Radiant hard red winter wheat

Abstract

Thomas, J. B., Conner, R. L. and Graf, R. J. 2012. Radiant hard red winter wheat. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 169–175. Radiant hard red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is well adapted to the non-hazard region for stem rust (Puccinia graminis Pers.: Pers. f. sp. tritici Eriks. & E. Henn.) within the Canadian prairies. Based on evaluation relative to Norstar, CDC Osprey, AC Tempest and AC Bellatrix in the Western Winter Wheat Cooperative registration trials, Radiant was similar in grain yield to AC Bellatrix, the highest yielding check. Radiant displayed very good winter survival, relatively late maturity, moderate height, very strong straw, high test weight and large seeds. It is the first Canadian wheat cultivar with resistance to colonization by the wheat curl mite (Aceria tosichella Keifer), the sole vector of wheat streak mosaic. Radiant was also shown to have good resistance to the prevalent races of stripe rust. It is susceptible to stem rust, leaf rust and common bunt. Radiant is eligible for all grades of the Canada Western Red Winter (CWRW) wheat class, having demonstrated a desirable combination of grain protein content, milling properties, dough functionality and baking performance. It has gained widespread commercial acceptance, particularly in Alberta.