CDC durum variety named for its dark awns
CDC Vantta, a newly released Canadian Western Amber Durum (CWAD) wheat variety, is noticeably different. Released in 2021, CDC Vantta is a new CDC durum variety that is noticeably shorter and expresses long black-coloured awns from the spike.
The new CWAD wheat variety was developed by Dr. Curtis Pozniak (PhD), a wheat breeder in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources’ Crop Development Centre (CDC) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask). The variety was derived from a cross made in 2012 with the intent to develop a shorter durum wheat for western Canadian growers. After several years of selection, CDC Vantta entered official variety registration trials in 2018.
CDC Vantta combines high grain yield potential, strong straw, and a semi-dwarf growth habit. It is resistant to leaf and stripe rusts, common bunt, and expresses high yellow pigment in the grain which is a sought-after trait for high quality pasta. CDC Vantta also retains its pasta color after processing and cooking, due to a reduction in enzymes that are known to degrade the yellow pigments.
When choosing a name for a new release, Pozniak relies in part on the creativity of his research team. “Variety development is really a team effort, and I think it’s fitting that those that supported the development of the variety along the way should have input into its name,” said Pozniak.
Raelene Regier, program manager for Pozniak’s research team, inspired the winning name for CDC Vantta. “I described to Raelene the dark black awn color, and she thought of “vantablack”, a super-black coating paint that is known to be the darkest color on earth. From that, the name CDC Vantta was born.”
Visit the Canadian Journal of Plant Science for a detailed explanation of breeding and selection process of CDC Vantta.
https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/full/10.1139/cjps-2022-0118