Plants require a variety of elements to grow. Of these, calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) play an important role in strengthening the cell wall. Although peaches (Prunus Persica) are highly preferred by consumers, they ripen quickly and become soft over a relatively short period of time after harvesting, making them difficult to transport and store. In addition, the ripening process of peaches proceeds very quickly; cell walls are weakened during maturation, and various pathogens can easily grow, causing rapid decay. Therefore, yield loss occurs during long-term storage or transport. To increase the storage period, a method to delay softening action is required. One potential means to improve firmness is to improve Ca and Mg content as these elements make up and strengthen cell walls. However, Ca and Mgare not readily absorbed by plants. In this study, the size of Ca and Mg particles were reduced to less than 900 nm via grinding and their absorption rates were evaluated in the leaves of peach trees. When plant nutrients with a small particle size by nanotechnology were sprayed on peach trees, the content of Ca and Mg was increased in the petioles, adaxial, abaxial, and leaf side. Therefore, a reduction in the particle size of Ca and Mg increases the absorption rate in peach leaves.

Root rot is a common disease in soybean (Glycine max) and field pea (Pisum sativum), which restrain increased production in Canada. Sixty-seven isolates of Rhizoctonia were recovered from various diseased plants in Alberta, Canada along with three isolates from diseased soybean plants in Manitoba, Canada. According to their anastomosis behavior, 23 (32.9%) of the isolates were identified as anastomosis group (AG) 4 (AG4), 7 (10.0%) were AG2-1, 10 (14.3%) were AG2-2, 7 (10.0%) were AG5, 3 (4.3%) were AG-E and the AGs of the remaining 20 (28.6%) isolates could not be determined. Isolates belonging to AG4 produced typical symptoms of stem rot and root rot on seedlings of soybean and pea and were more aggressive than the AG2-1, AG2-2, AG5 and AG-E isolates. Selected isolates of AG4, AG2-1, AG2-2, AG5 and AG-E were to some degree able to infect common crops in Alberta, which included barley, canola, corn, faba bean, flax, lupin, lentil, pea, potato, soybean, and wheat. The genetic variability among these isolates was evaluated using phylogenetic analysis based on the rDNA ITS sequences and inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. For the ITS sequence analysis, a neighbour-joining tree was constructed using the PAUP program, which clustered the Rhizoctonia isolates into five groups (Groups I to V). However, no correlation was observed between AGs, locations, aggressiveness or host origins. For the ISSR analysis, 54 polymorphic ISSR patterns were identified, indicating a high level of diversity among the isolates.

The forage value of native forbs is rarely considered in pasture mixtures, even though such species can make up a substantial proportion of the diet of cattle on native rangelands. Incorporating non-leguminous forbs into pasture grazing systems can provide additional ecosystem services such as pollination habitat, and ideally those forbs would also provide some forage value. We therefore assessed the seasonal variation in protein and fiber [neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF)] content of six common western Canadian native forb and sub-shrub species: yarrow (Achillea millefolium), smooth aster (Symphyotricum laeve), prairie crocus (Pulsatilla patens), prairie rose (Rosa arkansana), Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), and American vetch (Vicia americana). The legume V. americana displayed the highest protein followed by S. canadensis and S. laeve. V. americana also has the highest fiber concentration through the growing season. S. canadensis and S. laeve had lower fiber content; thus, making them a good choice for addition in seed mixes to meet the energy and nutrient requirements of cattle. Forb protein and fiber content showed opposite trends during the growing season. Crude protein decreased while NDF and ADF increased as a general pattern tied to physiological stage and degree of senescence. The promising nutritional profile of some forb species suggests that these species should be considered in pasture mixes.

Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus is a nitrogen (N) fixing bacterium originally isolated from sugarcane in Brazil. Understanding the interactions between this bacterium and plants is important to exploit the nitrogen-fixing feature of G. diazotrophicus in different crops. Research was conducted to establish, monitor and optimize methods for introducing G. diazotrophicus into Brachypodium distachyon, a model for molecular research involving monocot plants. Colonization was studied in three plant growth media including liquid, semi-solid, and solid media. The effect of mineral nitrogen on colonization was also studied in each of these three media. The colonization of B. distachyon by G. diazotrophicus was analyzed by a histochemical β-glucuronidase (GUS) assay, PCR using G. diazotrophicus specific primers and bacterial re-isolation. Colonization was established in all tested plant growth conditions. The highest level of colonization was achieved in the liquid media without mineral nitrogen. Microscopic observations showed that G. diazotrophicus colonizes B. distachyon through the lateral root emergence sites, root hairs, and root tips. The colonization was found to be limited to root tissues and not found in other organs. These results indicate that B. distachyon roots are the primary organ of interaction and colonization by the bacterium. Plant fresh weight and lateral root numbers were significantly increased in inoculated plants indicating that G. diazotrophicus can stimulate growth of B. distachyon. This study indicates that B. distachyon is a useful model to study the mechanisms of G. diazotrophicus colonization and growth enhancement in monocot plants.

Information on the tiller development of hybrid bromegrass (Bromus inermis × Bromus riparius) is limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of clipping frequency at the vegetative and reproductive stages on the tiller development and concentrations of sugars of c.v ‘AC Knowles’ hybrid bromegrass compared with c.v ‘Kirk’ crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum L.). This experiment was conducted in a greenhouse using the tillers of the vernalized plants dug from the field. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Grasses were clipped once or four times at either vegetative or reproductive stage. Regardless of the growth stage, four clippings reduced the tiller number of hybrid bromegrass by 25.9% compared with the undefoliated control, while single clipping had no impact. The four clippings had no impact on the tiller number of crested wheatgrass, while single clipping increased its tiller number on average by 50.4% at both growth stages. Crested wheatgrass produced 16.6% more tillers than hybrid bromegrass under the single clipping. The two grass species had a similar number of axillary buds under different clipping treatments. The axillary bud size of crested wheatgrass was larger than hybrid bromegrass. All axillary buds were viable under the two clipping treatments for both grasses. Four clippings significantly decreased the stem base glucose concentration of the two grasses and the root sucrose concentration of crested wheatgrass. Hybrid bromegrass was less tolerant to frequent clippings than crested wheatgrass. Therefore, intensive grazing of hybrid bromegrass pasture may result in a thin stand.

Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) is a critical factor affecting wheat producing regions characterized by rainfall and high humidity combined with cool temperatures at harvest. This phenomenon is particularly important in durum wheat (Triticum durum L.), which is generally susceptible to PHS, in contrast to common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) which expresses better resistance. The transfer of PHS from hexaploid common wheat into tetraploid durum wheat germplasm is one option for genetic improvement, because the two species share two related sub-genomes. In the present study, through interspecific hybridization and modified backcross approaches, we developed experimental durum lines that showed greater PHS resistance than the recurrent durum wheat parent, with some expressing better PHS performance than the resistant common wheat donor. The introgression of PHS resistance did not negatively impact additional traits in the durum background and several backcross derived experimental lines expressed superior grain yield related and quality traits when compared with the recurrent parent. These lines represent a promising genetic resource for the development of new sprouting resistant durum wheat cultivars. Our results demonstrate that PHS resistance can be transferred from common wheat to improve PHS of durum wheat germplasm.

Day-neutral (DN) strawberry cultivars are increasingly grown in Canada because they produce flowers and fruits continuously until October. Appropriate artificial lighting conditions during preparation of high-quality transplants is critical. Unfortunately, systematic evaluation of appropriate artificial lighting conditions during transplant production is limited. The objective of this study was to determine how an extended photoperiod supplemented with different light quality affects the vegetative and reproductive growth of a day-neutral cultivar during transplant production. In the first trial, we investigated the photoperiodic nature of the DN cultivar ‘Albion’ under low intensity incandescent light. Transplants were grown under three light combinations with different far-red : blue ratios (1:5, 5:1 and 1:1), supplemented for long day (LD; 24 h), short day (SD; 10 h) photoperiods and during a night interruption (NI) for 2 h. ‘Albion’ cultivar exhibited similar degree of flowering sensitivity regardless of photoperiod duration when incandescent light was used as predominant light source. In case of light emitting diodes (LEDs), dominant blue (1:5) LEDs prompted a significant increase in flower bud induction (FBI), more explicitly under the LD photoperiod. Furthermore, transplants grown under dominant blue light (1:5) supplied during NI produced eight flower buds per plant, the highest among all treatments, and promoted flower development outside the crown. Based on the results, it appears that lower wavelengths advance flowering and higher wavelengths contribute towards the morphological traits especially during transplant production. Results suggest that combination of far-red and blue LEDs at 1:5 ratio could be a potential light source to improve flower bud induction and floral development to subsequently increase fruit production.

Russian dandelion (Taraxacum kok-saghyz) produces natural rubber which can complement the world’s supply of this strategic commodity, derived mainly from the Para rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). Four cycles of half-sib family recurrent selection conducted previously in Russian dandelion improved rubber yield nearly 50%. The objectives of this research were to continue selection for four additional cycles and evaluate progress from eight generations of breeding, and assess the potential for future gains. Rubber yield increased from 0.205 to 0.378 g/plant from Cycle 0 (C0) to C8, representing an 84% improvement, or 10% per cycle. Increases from C0 to C4 were similar to those from C4 to C8. Root dry weight did not increase from selection and improved yield only resulted from enhancing rubber percentage which changed from 4.35% to 7.62%. Selection response has not plateaued, and phenotypic variation has not decreased, indicating continued gains can occur with additional breeding.

The current work investigates the impact of postharvest applications of calcium chloride (CaCl₂) in combination with either 10% gum arabic or 50% cactus mucilage on the quality parameters and storability of tomato fruit (Izmir variety), at ambient storage conditions [21 ± 1 °C, relative humidity (RH) 45% ± 2%]. The tomato fruits were dipped in 6% CaCl₂ for 10 min and then coated with either 10% gum arabic or 50% cactus mucilage for 3 min. During the time-course of storage, the fruit attributes, such as fresh fruit weight loss, fruit decay, firmness, titratable acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), and color development were assessed. The results revealed a significant (P ≤ 0.05) effect of fruit postharvest treatment with 6% CaCl₂ for 10 min combined with postharvest coating treatments with either 10% gum arabic or 50% cactus mucilage for 3 min on reducing fruit fresh weight loss, and decay percent of fruits. Fruit firmness, TA, and TSS were preserved compared with untreated fruit. In addition, treated fruits took more time to develop from pink to full red compared with untreated fruit. Hence, coating with natural substances combined with CaCl₂ preserved the overall quality parameters and enhanced the shelf life of tomato fruit even after three weeks of storage at ambient temperature.

A multi-year orchard experiment was established to measure the performance of Rootpac^®-R, Rootpac^®-20, Rootpac^®-40, and Rootpac^®-70 rootstocks using ‘Redhaven’ peach (Prunus persica var. persica) as the scion, compared with the ‘Bailey’ peach seedling rootstock, the current industry standard. Tree survival after five years was 79% on Rootpac-40, whereas the remaining rootstocks showed no tree mortality. Tree vigour and canopy height and width were influenced by rootstock genotype beginning the year of planting in 2016. For the first five years of production, Rootpac-70 consistently produced the largest trees based on truck cross-sectional area (TCSA) and by year five, all rootstocks produced trees with similar TCSAs, except for Rootpac-70, which was 38% larger than Bailey. By year five, cumulative yields were greatest on Rootpac-70, which were 10% higher than Bailey; cumulative yields of Rootpac-R, Rootpac-20, and Rootpac-30 were 98%, 89%, and 84% that of Bailey, respectively. Cumulative yield efficiency was significantly influenced by rootstock although the magnitude of the differences was small and likely of insignificant commercial importance. Rootpac-40 consistently produced the largest fruit. These results are only reflective of the orchard establishment years and additional data are required before peach producers can make fully informed decisions concerning the rootstocks evaluated in this study for their orchard systems. However, at this juncture, all the Rootpac rootstocks evaluated in this study are likely to impart excessive vigour to be used in a higher density system and offer little advantage over Bailey.

There is increasing interest in growing European origin apple cultivars for the production of hard cider in Canada; however, little is known about their winter hardiness. Eleven promising cider cultivars were evaluated for cold hardiness over two consecutive winters and compared with the winter tender cultivar ‘Golden Delicious’. Sections of the current season’s dormant shoots were frozen in a series of test temperatures ranging from −20 °C to −40 °C in a programmable freezer. Xylem tissue browning ratings were used to assess injury after thawing. The temperature of incipient damage (TID), the warmest temperature at which 1-yr-old shoot segments begin to show injury, was obtained from tissue browning curves using non-linear regression. TID varied significantly among cultivars and between sampling years. Overall, the cultivars could be classified according to relative winter hardiness as follows: Ashmead’s Kernel, Bramley’s Seedling (very tender) < Calville Blanc d’Hiver, Porter’s Perfection, Bulmer’s Norman (intermediate) < Crimson Crisp, GoldRush, Golden Delicious, Enterprise, Yarlington Mill, Enterprise (hardy) < Golden Russet (hardy). These data indicate nearly a 10 °C range in winter hardiness amongst the 11 cultivars studied, depending on the sampling date. Ashmead’s Kernel and Bramley’s Seedling appear to be particularly winter tender, whereas Bulmer’s Norman, Porter’s Perfection, and Calville Blanc d’Hiver demonstrated less hardiness during three of the four sampling dates. Based upon these findings, it would be prudent to consult long-term climate normals and consider the frequency of extreme weather events for potential susceptibility to winter injury, particularly prior to establishing more injury-prone cultivars.

Frequent cultivation is often used to control weeds in crops such as lettuce. The efficacy of this technique on weed populations has been evaluated, but the effect on weed emergence and seedbanks is less documented. Studies in mineral soil indicate that soil disturbance can increase both weed emergence and seed persistence depending on where seeds are redistributed in the soil profile. Evaluations done in muck soil are scarce. This study evaluated the effect of two and four repetitive shallow (3.4 to 7.1 cm deep) cultivations on weed emergence and the weed seedbank in muck soil. Cultivation treatments (0, 2, and 4 cultivations using a inter-row rototiller) were done in lettuce plots from 2017 to 2019. Weed density was evaluated by species before each cultivation date and after crop harvest. Viable seedbanks were evaluated by collecting soil samples before and after each growing season and placing them in greenhouse flats. Statistical analyses were based on mixed models. Results showed that shallow cultivation modified the emergence patterns of weeds but did not reduce total emergence during the subsequent years or viable seedbanks. After two seasons without seed inputs, total emergence was reduced by 46.6% and the seedbank was reduced by 31.7% regardless of the cultivation treatment. However, the seedbank of the very abundant common purslane (Portulaca oleracea) remained high.

To develop new barley cultivars, promising genotypes are evaluated for their performance each year at several test locations representing the target region. In this study, we analyzed the Ontario barley registration trial data from 2015 to 2020 to understand the barley mega-environment in Ontario and to evaluate the suitability of the test locations. The analysis showed that the barley test locations fall into two mega-environments, with a major mega-environment consists of five test locations and a minor mega-environment with a single test location. Among the six test locations used for the barley registration trials, Palmerston was found to be the most desirable for the barley cultivar evaluation representing the Ontario barley growing region. This study also identified OB2930-35, a recently released cultivar, to be both high yielding and stable across Ontario. These findings are useful for future barley breeding and cultivar evaluation in Ontario.

Water storage has been commonly cited as an important function of orchid pseudobulbs, and it is reasonable to assume that orchids which utilize crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) photosynthesis have larger pseudobulbs than those of C₃ orchid taxa, because these foliar (or stem) structures may reflect another type of succulent tissue in CAM plants. On the other hand, it is equally plausible that C₃ orchids have larger pseudobulbs, as they lack succulent tissue, as well as the water-conservative CAM pathway. The goal of this study was to compare pseudobulb size in over 100 living orchid species growing at the Missouri Botanical Garden by measurement. Pseudobulb volumes of C₃ species did not differ from those of species with CAM photosynthesis in a family-wide comparison of all sampled species, as well as in comparisons of taxa with these two photosynthetic pathways among three subtribes and within one genus. The results did not support a functional relationship between pseudobulb volume and photosynthetic pathway in the Orchidaceae. Pseudobulbs are equally important structures in C₃ and CAM orchid taxa, and may function similarly in water, carbohydrates, and (or) essential elements storage in the two groups of orchids. This study lays a foundation for further research into pseudobulb evolution in orchids.

Presence and absence polymorphisms (PAPs) exist extensively and have been investigated in different organisms. However, PAPs have rarely been detected between strawberry species at the genome level. This study identified the presence and absence genes (P/A genes) between wild strawberry species (Fragaria vesca) and octoploid cultivated species (F. × ananassa) under a relatively strict criterion. In total, 333 P/A genes present in the wild strawberry but absent in the cultivated strawberry were detected. Of the P/A genes, 91.89% (306/333) were single genes, and only 8.11% were confirmed as multi-genes. The majority of the identified P/A genes in Fragaria were generated by tandem duplications. The P/A genes were unevenly distributed on the seven chromosomes of woodland strawberry, and they clustered preferentially near the telomeric regions of the chromosomes. The P/A genes tended to encode proteins with domains closely associated with responses to varying ecological factors, such as PPR, Protein kinases (PKs), NB-ARC, F-box and EF-hand domains. This indicated that the P/A genes were associated with coping with biotic and abiotic stresses to improve the adaptability of plants to changing environments.

Recent confirmation of dicamba-resistant kochia [Bassia scoparia (L.) A.J. Scott] in Alberta warrants investigation of resistance to other commonly used synthetic auxin herbicides like fluroxypyr. A randomized-stratified survey of 305 sites in Alberta was conducted in 2017 to determine the status of fluroxypyr-resistant kochia. Overall, 13% of the kochia populations were fluroxypyr-resistant. Only 4% of the populations were both fluroxypyr- and dicamba-resistant, indicating that different mechanisms may confer resistance to these herbicides. When combined with estimates of dicamba resistance, about 28% of the kochia populations sampled in Alberta in 2017 were resistant to at least one synthetic auxin herbicide.

Ultra-early wheat growing systems based on soil temperature triggers for planting instead of arbitrary calendar dates can increase grain yield and overall growing system stability of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) on the northern Great Plains. We conducted field trials at three sites in western Canada from 2017 to 2019 to evaluate the suitability of Canadian spring hexaploid wheat cultivars and market classes for use within ultra-early spring wheat growing systems. All cultivars and classes exhibited improved grain yield stability (lower adjusted coefficient of variation values) and optimal grain yield when planted ultra-early at 2 °C soil temperature rather than delaying planting to 8 °C.

To examine whether phytochromes contribute to blue-light-mediated stem elongation, plant phenotypic responses were investigated in wild type Arabidopsis thaliana (Col-0), and its quintuple phytochrome (phyA phyB phyC phyD phyE) mutant plants under the following light treatments: (1) R, a pure red light from 660-nm LED; (2) B, a pure blue light from 455-nm LED; (3) BR, a impure blue light from LED combination of 94% B and 6% R; and (4) BRF, another impure blue light from LED combination of BR and 6 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ of FR (735 nm). A photosynthetic photon flux density of ≈100 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ was provided for all the light treatments. The calculated phytochrome photoequilibrium was 0.89, 0.50, 0.69, and 0.60 for R, B, BR, and BRF, respectively, indicating a higher phytochrome activity under R and BR than B and BRF. After 18 days of light treatment, B or BRF increased main stem length in wild-type plants compared with R, but BR had an inhibition effect similar to R. Also, B and BRF relative to R or BR induced earlier flowering and reduced leaf size in wild type plants, showing typical shade-avoidance responses. In phytochrome-deficient mutant plants, the above shade-avoidance responses were inhibited under B or BRF. However, hypocotyl length, a growth trait characterizing the de-etiolation stage, was reduced under B, BR and BRF vs. R regardless of phytochrome absence. These findings suggest that for mature Arabidopsis plants, phytochrome plays a role in blue-light-mediated stem elongation and the associated shade-avoidance responses.

Increased adoption of crops with stacked traits conferring glyphosate and dicamba resistance, and recent confirmation of kochia [Bassia scoparia (L.) A.J. Scott] biotypes resistant to these herbicides in Alberta and Saskatchewan, warrant surveillance of herbicide-resistant kochia in Manitoba. A randomized–stratified survey of 315 sites in Manitoba was conducted in the fall of 2018. Overall, 58% of the kochia populations tested were glyphosate-resistant, while 1% were dicamba-resistant. This survey documents rapid increase in glyphosate-resistant kochia over a five-year time frame, and also confirms the first cases of kochia in Manitoba with dicamba resistance alone and in combination with glyphosate resistance.

Management of glyphosate resistant volunteer soybean can be challenging and costly in other glyphosate resistant crops. This study examined the effect of elk (Cervus elaphus) grazing on volunteer soybean (Glycine max) management. Volunteer soybean density was assessed in four fields grazed by elk and three without elk in western Manitoba, Canada. This study determined that elk grazing of soybean stubble significantly reduced soybean volunteer density in the following crop. These results demonstrate that winter elk grazing can be an effective management technique for volunteer soybeans.

AAC Vortex is a hard red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar well-adapted to all areas of western Canada and classified for grades of Canada Western Red Winter (CWRW) wheat. It was developed using doubled-haploid methodology. AAC Vortex was evaluated for registration relative to CDC Buteo, Emerson, Moats, and AAC Elevate across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Based on 44 replicated trials over 4 y (2016/17–2019/20), AAC Vortex had significantly higher grain yield than CDC Buteo and Emerson, and higher grain protein concentration than all of the checks except Emerson. AAC Vortex expressed winter survival and lodging resistance equal to the best checks, medium maturity and height, and acceptable test weight. AAC Vortex was resistant to stem, leaf and stripe rust, moderately resistant to Fusarium head blight, and susceptible to common bunt. AAC Vortex produced flour of higher protein concentration than all of the checks except Emerson, had higher clean wheat flour yield and loaf volume than all of the checks, and was similar in gluten strength to Emerson.

AAC Profit is a semi-leafless, yellow cotyledonary field pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivar developed at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Lacombe Research and Development Centre, Lacombe, Alberta, Canada. It has a maturity of 101 d, thousand-seed weight of 218 g, and a lodging score of 4.1 on the scale of 1–9 (1 = upright, 9 = prostrate). The seed crude protein content of AAC Profit is 24.5%. AAC Profit is resistant to powdery mildew (caused by Erysiphe pisi), and moderately susceptible to mycosphaerella blight (caused by Mycosphaerella pinodes) and fusarium wilt (caused by Fusarium oxysporum).

AAC Delhi is a semi-leafless, large-seeded yellow field pea (Pisum sativum L.) variety developed at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Lacombe Research and Development Centre, Lacombe, AB, Canada. It has high yielding potential, medium maturity and good lodging resistance. AAC Delhi has the maturity of 95 d, and one-thousand-seed weight of 288 g. AAC Delhi is resistant to powdery mildew (caused by Erysiphe pisi Syd.) and is moderately susceptible to mycosphaerella blight (caused by Mycosphaerella pinodes) and fusarium wilt (caused by Fusarium oxysporum). AAC Delhi is adapted to all field growing regions in western Canada.

12W932-349 is a soft red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar registered for Ontario, Canada. It has high grain yield with good pastry quality and is moderately resistant to Fusarium head blight. 12W932-349 is well adapted for the winter wheat growing areas of Ontario.

CO477, CO478, CO479, and CO480 are mid- to late-season [75–81 d to flowering, crop heat units (CHU) = 1720–1855] corn (Zea mays L.) inbred lines with high stalk sugar levels. The level of sugar in the stalks are very high especially when grown as inbred lines. On average, the inbred lines yield three times more sugar than their testcrosses. These inbred lines are the first to be developed and released for biofuel production, from the corn breeding program of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Additionally, these inbred lines can be used for sugar and (or) silage production. They have moderate to intermediate resistance to common rust, eyespot, northern corn leaf blight and fusarium stalk rot but are susceptible to gibberella ear rot.

AAC Redberry hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) has a grain yield significantly higher than the check cultivars Katepwa, and Lillian and is similar to Carberry. AAC Redberry matures in a similar number of days as Katewpa and Lillian, and is significantly earlier maturing than Carberry. AAC Redberry has an awned spike, and a low lodging score indicative of strong straw that is significantly lower than Katepwa and Lillian but significantly higher than Carberry. Plant stature is taller than Carberry, but shorter than Lillian and Katepwa. AAC Redberry expressed resistance to prevalent races of leaf rust, stem rust, yellow rust, loose smut, moderate resistance to common bunt and intermediate resistance to Fusarium head blight. AAC Redberry has quality attributes within the range of the check cultivars and is eligible for grades of Canada Western Red Spring wheat.

AAC Hodge (BW1069) is a hollow-stemmed, awned and high yielding Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat cultivar suited to the growing conditions in Western Canada. AAC Hodge was 6% higher yielding than AAC Viewfield, the highest yielding check in the Central Bread Wheat Cooperative (CBWC) registration trials (2017–2019). Within the same test, AAC Hodge was 16% higher yielding than Carberry. AAC Hodge matured 1 d earlier than Carberry and 2 d later than Unity; Unity is the earliest maturing check in the eastern prairie growing conditions. AAC Hodge was 7 cm shorter with better lodging resistance than Unity. The lodging score for AAC Hodge was lower than the mean of the checks. The test weight of AAC Hodge was similar to the mean of the checks. Over the 3 yr of testing (2017–2019), the 1000-kernel weight of AAC Hodge was equal to, or higher than all the checks. The grain protein content of AAC Hodge was equal to that of AAC Viewfield. AAC Hodge was rated moderately resistant to Fusarium head blight (FHB; Fusarium graminearum Schwabe) and resistant to leaf rust (Puccinia triticina Erikss.), stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis Westend), stem rust (Puccinia graminis Pers. f. sp. tritici Eriks. & E. Henn), and common bunt [Tilletia caries (DC) Tul. & C. Tul.]. AAC Hodge ranged from resistant to moderately susceptible for its reaction to the Ug99 family of stem rusts. AAC Hodge was resistant to orange wheat blossom midge (OBWM) (Sitodiplosis mosellana Géhin). AAC Hodge was registered under the CWRS class.