Registration of ‘AC Alta’ Spring Triticale

'AC Alta' spring triticale (xTriticosecale Wittmack) (Reg. no. CV14, P1 590945) was developed at the Semiarid Prairie Agricultural Research Centre, Research Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Swift Current, SK, as part of the Triticale Breeding Project. Canadian Reg. no. 4133 was issued for AC Alta in May 1995 by the Plant Health and Plant Products Directorate, Food Production and Inspection Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. AC Alta is well adapted to the soils of the Canadian Prairies, with shorter and stronger straw than the best check cultivars. AC Alta has a large kernel that meets the criteria of the Canada Triticale class. AC Alta was derived from a cross made at the University of Manitoba between CIN/CNO/3/BGL//Merino'S' andEntry no. 169 (W74.103-ADX/BGL'S'-M2A/IRA) obtained from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) via the 12th International Triticale Screening Nursery (ITSN). AC Alta was developed using modified pedigree and early generation yield testing procedures. In 1984, when the triticale breeding program was terminated at the University of Manitoba, fj head rows were introduced and selection was continued at Swift Current. The ¥3, FS, and F? generations were grown in a winter nursery near Brawley, CA, to multiply seed for early generation yield tests. The F4, FS, and Fg generations were grown as replicated yield trials at Swift Current and Indian Head in Saskatchewan to evaluate agronomic performance. The line designated UM8401A29E1 was evaluated in pre-cooperative tests in 1988 and entered into the Western Spring Triticale Cooperative Test in 1989 as T103. In 1990, the breeder lines were observed to be segregating for anthesis date. Late heading lines were selected and entered into the Western Spring Triticale Cooperative Test in 1991 as T122 and it was evaluated at 11 or 12 locations from 1991 to 1993. The 42 breeder lines grown at Swift Current during 1990 in 3-m rows and at Brawley during 1993-1994 in 7-m rows derive from an Ffc-derived FIQ single-plant progeny row. In 33 performance trials grown on the Canadian Prairies, AC Alta outyielded the best triticale check, 'Frank', by 6.0% and outyielded 'Biggar' spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) by 28.4%. The test weight of AC Alta (66.7 kg hL") is equal to that of 'Wapiti', but significantly (P < 0.05) less than that of Frank and 'AC Copia'. The kernel weight of AC Alta is 47.5 mg, 3.3 mg greater than that of the largest check cultivar, AC Copia. AC Alta is 7 cm shorter than the shortest check, Frank, and more resistant to lodging than the best check, Wapiti. AC Alta is 1 d later in maturity than the checks Frank, Wapiti, and AC Copia. More detailed information can be found elsewhere (1). AC Alta is resistant to the prevalent races of stem rust (caused by Puccinia graminis Pers.:Pers. f. sp. tritici Eriks. & E. Henn.), leaf rust (caused by P. recondita Roberge ex Desmaz. f. sp. tritici), and common bunt [caused by Tilletia laevis Ktthn in Rabenh. and T. caries (DC.) Tul. & C. Tul.] and is moderately resistant to common root rot [caused primarily by Bipolaris sorokiniana (Sacc.) Shoemaker]. AC Alta is on average equal to Wapiti in protein content (94 g kg~') and is 12 g kg" lower than Biggar wheat; grain hardness is slightly softer than other check triticale cultivars; flour yield is equal to Wapiti. AC Alta is eligible for the grades of Canada Triticale. AC Alta is suitable for food, feed, and industrial uses. The spikes are long and tapered and nodding at maturity. They are middense and glaucous. The chaff is white; the awns are long, white, and spreading at maturity. The kernels are larger in size than the check cultivars, red (NaOH reaction), and soft. Kernels are elliptical, with rounded cheeks and a medium-depth, narrow crease. The brush hairs are of medium length. The germ is large and oval. The phenol reaction of the kernel is black. AC Alta has been released to Progressive Seeds Ltd., 155-4752 Ross St., Red Deer, AB T4N 1X2, Canada, for multiplication and distribution. Breeder seed will be maintained by the Seed Increase Unit of the Research Farm, Indian Head, SK, SOG 2KO, Canada.