Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a herbaceous perennial grass that can be used as bedding for livestock, planted in buffer strips, and used as biofuel, but it is still not widely grown in eastern Canada. The objectives of this study were to verify the performance of the Integrated Farm System Model (IFSM) in simulating switchgrass growth and to estimate its yield potential and production costs in eastern Canada. The performance of IFSM was assessed with dry matter (DM) yield of switchgrass (‘Cave-in-Rock’) measured over three growing seasons (2015–2017) in southern Quebec, Canada. The model performed reasonably well, with normalized root mean square errors of 19.5% for calibration and 27.9% for validation. Simulation results of potential yield and economic management over the long term (1986–2015) for five switchgrass production sites in eastern Canada indicated that average DM yields in Quebec City and Fredericton (9.6 and 9.7 t ha^-1, respectively) were significantly lower than average DM yields in Saint-Hubert, Ottawa, and London (10.8, 10.4, and 11.0 t ha^-1, respectively). Average annual production costs per tonne of DM for the spring harvest were higher at low-yield sites (CAD$66.67 and $64.50 for Fredericton and Quebec City, respectively) than at high-yield sites ($60.10, $62.82, and $60.08 for Saint-Hubert, Ottawa, and London, respectively). The IFSM-estimated production costs were within the range of the calculated values reported in other agro-economic analyses conducted in Ontario and Quebec.

Soybean crops face drought as one of their major yield barriers. Dissecting the complete genetic architecture of drought tolerance (DT) is an ongoing challenge for soybean breeders. A half-sib population with 404 lines consisting of two recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations with M8206 as the joint parent (M8206 × TongShan and ZhengYang × M8206) was established and tested for their DT under sand culture. The population was sequenced using RAD-seq (restriction-site-associated DNA sequencing) filtered with minor allele frequency (MAF) ≥ 0.01, and 55 936 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were obtained and organized into 6137 SNPLDBs (SNP linkage disequilibrium blocks). The innovative RTM-GWAS (restricted two stage multi-locus genome-wide association study) identified 46 novel QTLs with 107 alleles on an average of 38.67% of the phenotypic variance (PV) collectively for relative plant length (RPL) and relative plant dry weight (RPDW). The identified quantitative trait loci (QTLs) with their corresponding alleles for RPL and RPDW were structured into QTL-allele matrices, showing the DT genetic architecture of the three parents and half-sib population. From the matrices, the possible best genotype was predicted to have their weighted average value (WAV) over two indicators 1.663, while the top 10 optimal crosses among RILs with 95^th percentile WAV was 0.872–0.960, transgressive over the parents (0.469–0.675) but much less than 1.663, depicting further pyramiding potential. From the detected QTL-allele system, 63 potential candidate genes collectively for both RPL and RPDW indicators explaining on average of 26.94% PV were annotated and χ²-tested as a DT potential candidate gene system involving nine biological processes, endorsing the genetic complexity of DT.

Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats.) is one of the most problematic weed species in agronomic crops in the United States. A Palmer amaranth biotype multiple-resistant to atrazine and 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) inhibitors was reported in a seed corn production field in Nebraska. Rapid detoxification mediated by cytochrome P450 monooxygenases and increased HPPD gene expression were reported as the mechanisms of mesotrione resistance in atrazine- and HPPD inhibitor-resistant Palmer amaranth biotype from Nebraska; however, the mechanism of atrazine resistance is unknown. The objectives of this study were to investigate target site or non-target site based mechanisms conferring atrazine resistance in Palmer amaranth from Nebraska. ¹⁴C-atrazine absorption and translocation studies revealed that reduced atrazine absorption or translocation were not involved as one of the mechanisms of atrazine resistance. Instead, greater ¹⁴C-atrazine absorption and recovery in treated leaves were observed in resistant compared with susceptible Palmer amaranth. No known mutations including Ser₂₆₄Gly substitution in the psbA gene causing target site based atrazine resistance were observed. However, the parent ¹⁴C-atrazine was metabolized rapidly <4 h after treatment in resistant plants, conferring enhanced atrazine metabolism as the mechanism of resistance.

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a necrotrophic fungal pathogen with a very wide host range. Isolates of this pathogen are normally described as having fluffy and white mycelium; however, isolates of S. sclerotiorum with darkly-pigmented mycelium on potato dextrose agar medium have been identified in eastern New Mexico and western Texas from Valencia peanut fields. Mutant non-pigmented S. sclerotiorum isolates (SW) were created in an earlier study from wild-type pigmented isolates (SD) using melanin inhibitors. The SD isolates were pathogenic on Valencia peanut, whereas the SW isolates were not. The current study was conducted to further characterize the differences between SD and SW isolates in regards to metabolite production and utilization, including the effects of carbon sources and oxalic acid precursors on oxalic acid production and pathogenicity on Valencia peanut. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS) metabolomics analysis revealed a down-regulation of several sugars and compounds within the citric acid cycle as well as oxalic acid for SW isolates of S. sclerotiorum. The addition of glucose to potato dextrose agar medium allowed for the production of oxalic acid and restored pathogenicity in SW isolates that were previously non-pathogenic on Valencia peanut. This study indicates that glucose alone plays a major role in oxalic acid production and pathogenicity of S. sclerotiorum.

Lentil was seldom grown in Alberta prior to 2015 due to the lack of demonstrated ability to achieve adequate yields, even though it was potentially well adapted to most agricultural regions within the province. We conducted field trials at five locations for 4 yr to determine potential productivity and optimum seeding rate, N management, and imidazolinone herbicide formulation for two imidazolinone-resistant red lentil cultivars across a broad geographic region in Alberta. Over the 4 yr of this study (2012–2015), the average yield potential of lentil ranged from 3000 to 3700 kg ha^-1 at five locations. Maximum yield was consistently obtained when plant density exceeded 90 plants m^-2. Lentil yield was not influenced by rhizobia inoculation, N fertilizer rate, or their interaction. Application of imidazolinone-based herbicide did not impact yield or nodulation of the lentil cultivars used in this study. High productivity of two imidazolinone-resistant red lentil cultivars was attainable over a broad geographic region in Alberta.

Miscanthus lutarioriparius, a domestic species of China, belongs to the genus of perennial rhizomatous Miscanthus and is a promising energy crop for biomass production. To establish an Agrobacterium tumefaciens transformation protocol and obtain transgenic plants co-expressing the Cry 2Aa^# and Bar genes, an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method for M. lutarioriparius was developed in this study. To inhibit tissue browning, optimized callus induction and regeneration media were developed. Embryogenic calli were efficiently induced from immature inflorescences on Murashige & Skoog (MS) medium containing 0.2 g L^-1 citric acid. Agrobacterium tumefaciens EHA105 carrying pC3300 with the Cry 2Aa^# and Bar genes were introduced into embryogenic calli. Six transgenic lines were selected by Basta screening and confirmed by genomic PCR. The herbicide tolerance of M. lutarioriparius transgenic plants was verified by spraying with glufosinate and expression of the Cry 2Aa^# protein by ELISA. Therefore, an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation protocol for M. lutarioriparius was established and the co-expression of herbicide tolerance and Cry 2Aa^# was successfully introduced with the system.

Herbicide resistance is selected for within a weed population through the recurrent use of an herbicide. Once the use of the herbicide is reduced or discontinued, the trait may persist in the population unless resistance endows a fitness penalty. Few studies have examined the long-term persistence of an herbicide resistance trait in a weed population once the selection pressure that led to its prevalence has been removed. The objective of this research was to re-survey the locations described by A.J.J. Smisek in her 1995 study of a paraquat resistant biotype of C. canadensis on the grounds of the Harrow Research and Development Centre. Results indicate that, ∼20 yr after paraquat use was significantly reduced, a glyphosate resistant biotype had replaced the paraquat resistant biotype at all but one of the original locations surveyed by Smisek. The sole location where the paraquat resistant biotype was observed was an old, un-treed orchard row currently managed by mowing. This location not only served as a refuge for the paraquat resistant biotype, ensuring its persistence in the face of strong selection for glyphosate resistance at all other locations, but it facilitated the co-occurrence of glyphosate and paraquat resistant biotypes. The observation of a multiple resistant biotype at this location alone, with resistance to both paraquat and glyphosate, suggests a role for refugia in the stacking of herbicide resistance traits. Given that this stacking occurred in the absence of either herbicide, we hypothesize that the multiple resistant biotype arose through pollen mediated gene flow among biotypes.

Clubroot, caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae, is an important constraint on canola (Brassica napus) production in Canada. Rotations of clubroot-resistant (CR) canola cultivars in various sequences and planting intervals between canola with non-host crops and fallow periods were evaluated to determine their effects on clubroot severity and P. brassicae resting spore populations under field and micro-plot conditions. Under micro-plot conditions, the rotation sequences including CR canola, continuous fallow, and the non-host barley reduced gall weight by 63%–100% and clubroot severity by 34%–100% compared with continuous planting of susceptible canola. No visible clubroot symptoms developed following continuous fallow or the non-host crop. Under field conditions, clubroot severity was very high (78% disease index) in the continuous susceptible canola sequence. Most of the CR canola rotation sequences significantly reduced clubroot severity by 12%–23%, but continuous fallow, continuous barley, and alternating the CR canola cultivars ‘45H29’ or ‘73-47’ with ‘TC72429-10’ reduced clubroot severity by 32%–36%. A comparison of intervals between canola crops and four cropping sequences (continuous susceptible canola, alternating canola with barley or pea, a 2-yr non-host interval between canola crops, and a 3-yr non-host interval between canola crops) was conducted over 5 yr. A 2- or 3-yr non-host interval improved plant height, plant biomass, and seed yield, and reduced gall mass, P. brassicae propagules in the soil, and clubroot severity. A significant yield increase of more than 3600% was observed in a 3-yr non-host interval.

Potato cultivars are sensitive to frost; thus, freezing damage often results in heavy loss of potato yield. In this study, two wild potato species, Solanum acaule W3, which is frost-resistant and has cold-acclimation ability, and Solanum cardiophyllum Cph12, which is frost-sensitive and cannot be cold-acclimated, were used to research the cell structure and physiological changes that occur during cold acclimation. The results showed that the frost resistance of W3 was enhanced by cold acclimation, while the frost resistance of Cph12 did not change. The subcellular characteristics related to the enhancement of freezing resistance mainly include a decrease in the proportion of the vacuole to total cell volume, integrity of the biomembrane, and orderly arrangement of grana lamellae. At the physiological level, the W3 damage index was correlated with membrane lipid peroxidation system indices (including chlorophyll, malondialdehyde, and the difference between relative conductivity before and after freezing treatment in W3), the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase, the contents of the osmotic regulators proline and soluble protein, and the contents of the endogenous hormones salicylic acid (SA), indole acetic acid/abscisic acid (IAA/ABA), and SA/ABA, which indicated that cold acclimation enhanced the freezing resistance of wild potato species W3 by enhancing its original cold-tolerance characteristics. The results could be useful to clarify the cold resistance mechanism of plants, and to provide a theoretical basis for cold-resistance breeding.

The complete chloroplast genome of peach provides essential information required for the assessment of phylogenetic relationships among Prunus species. Here, we compared the complete chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) genome between two peach cultivars and a wild relative, Prunus mira. The cpDNA genomes of the three peach specimens ranged from 157 330 to 157 744 bp in length and all contained 133 genes and 128 intergenic spacer (IGS) regions with an average GC content of 36.8%. The cpDNA genome of peach contained approximately 600 simple sequence repeats (SSRs), with hexa-nucleotide repeats being the most frequent microsatellites. Most SSRs have undergone divergence between cultivated and wild peaches. A total of 331 single nucleotide variants were identified in the cpDNA genomes. Fifty-one multiple-base pair indels were detected, which are mainly responsible for the cpDNA genome size variation. The cpDNA genomes contained 45 hypervariable regions, with 78% in the large single copy region (LSC). Phylogenomic analysis revealed that Prunus persica is more closely related to Prunus kansuensis than to other wild relatives, and a frequency of introgression of the chloroplast genome between Prunus species was deduced. Collectively, various genetic variations in the cpDNA genomes can serve as molecular markers for genomic studies of Prunus species, such as DNA barcoding, phylogeny, and systematics.

Increasing evidence suggests that Rho of plant (ROP) GTPases play important roles in the rhizobium–legume symbiotic nodulation, but the molecular mechanisms of their regulation in symbiosis remain poorly understood. In this study, we showed that ROP4 in Lotus japonicus (LjROP4) is involved in the symbiotic interaction between L. japonicus and Mesorhizobium loti. Tissue expression analysis showed that LjROP4 expressed highly in the root. Histochemical staining analysis showed that after rhizobia inoculation, GUS reporter activity increased in the root vascular bundle, root tip, and lateral root primordia. During nodule development, GUS activity was detected in the cortex of nodule primordia and young nodules. In the mature nodules, GUS activity was detected only in the vascular bundle. Compared with the control, the overexpression of ROP4 and ROP4-CA produced much more pronounced root hair swelling and curling induced by M. loti. The infection event and nodule number noticeably increased, which was consistent with this promotion of root hair deformation. Moreover, RNA interference of LjROP4 produced opposite phenotypes. These data suggest that LjROP4 is required for root hair deformation during rhizobial infection. Thus, our study provides important information about root hair deformation responses induced by nod factors in the early stages of symbiotic interaction.

While northern temperate grasslands are important for supporting beef production, it remains unclear how grassland above- and belowground biomass responds to long-term cattle grazing. Here, we use a comprehensive dataset from 73 grasslands distributed across a broad agro-climatic gradient to quantify grassland shoot, litter, and shallow (top 30 cm) root biomass in areas with and without grazing. Additionally, we relate biomass to soil carbon (C) concentrations. Forb biomass was greater (p < 0.05) in grazed areas, particularly those receiving more rainfall. In contrast, grass and total aboveground herbage biomass did not differ with grazing (total: 2320 kg ha^-1 for grazed vs. 2210 kg ha^-1 for non-grazed; p > 0.05). Forb crude protein concentrations were lower (p < 0.05) in grazed communities compared with those that were non-grazed. Grasslands subjected to grazing had 56% less litter mass. Root biomass down to 30 cm remained similar between areas with (9090 kg ha^-1) and without (7130 kg ha^-1) grazing (p > 0.05). Surface mineral soil C concentrations were positively related to peak grassland biomass, particularly total (above + belowground) biomass, and with increasing forb biomass in grazed areas. Finally, total aboveground shoot biomass and soil C concentrations in the top 15 cm of soil were both positively related to the proportion of introduced plant diversity in grazed and non-grazed grasslands. Overall, cattle grazing at moderate stocking rates had minimal impact on peak grassland biomass, including above- and belowground, and a positive contribution exists from introduced plant species to maintaining herbage productivity and soil C.

Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) is a rapid reverse genetics tool that has been developed in a wide variety of plant species for assessing gene functions. However, while VIGS has been utilized successfully in the diploid model leguminous species Medicago truncatula (Gaertn.) (barrel medic), such a platform has yet to be established in forage legume crop species. Therefore, we evaluated the effectiveness of this method in forage legumes using a previously developed PEBV (pea early browning virus) system whereby a fragment of the pea (Pisum sativum L.) PHYTOENE DESATURASE (PDS) gene was transferred into a range of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.), and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) cultivars using leaf infiltration and apical meristem injection. Barrel medic was used as a positive control. Gene silencing was observed after 10–15 d through the presence of a leaf bleaching phenotype, and was confirmed using quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Silencing of PDS was achieved in a selection of cultivars in all species assessed, with the highest silencing efficiency apparent in fenugreek. The introduction of a highly homologous gene fragment from a heterologous plant species to target endogenous genes for transient VIGS-based silencing in a range of species of interest represents a potentially useful strategy for the rapid functional characterization of candidate genes in forages.

Salinity is a major limiting factor for early crop establishment and yield. In this study, 131 Brassica napus genotypes were evaluated for germination and early seedling growth in Murashige & Skoog medium supplemented with NaCl. Selected genotypes were then evaluated for tolerance to salinity at the vegetative and reproductive stages in greenhouse and semi-hydroponic systems using 1.4, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 28 dS m^-1 salt stress. Relative salt tolerance (RST) was calculated and compared with genotype performance under no salt stress (control). The area under the germination progress curve (AUGPC) varied from 53 to 90 in the control and from 6 to 89 under 200 mmol L^-1 NaCl stress. The seedling vigor index (SVI) ranged from 200 to 1606 and 10 to 736 in the control and 200 mmol L^-1 salt stress treatments, respectively. The RST for germination, root length, shoot length, and SVI ranged from 8% to 97.7%, 2% to 98.3%, 6.5% to 70.8%, and 1.9% to 83%, respectively. Root length was most severely affected by saline conditions, followed by shoot length and AUGPC, when RST percentages of these traits were compared among responses of the 131 genotypes. Genotypes showed varying levels of proline and glucosinolate accumulation under different levels of saline stress. Greater accumulation of proline and glucosinolates was recorded with increased salinity level. This study indicates that variation exists in seedling and adult plant responses to saline stress in B. napus genotypes and that improvement for salinity tolerance requires selection at the seedling, vegetative, and reproductive plant stages.

The susceptibility of poverty oat grass and rough bentgrass to foramsulfuron was assessed in greenhouse and field experiments. A dose response study was conducted in a greenhouse with treatments consisting of 0, 4.4, 8.8, 17.5, 35, 70, 140, and 280 g foramsulfuron ha^-1. Field experiments were conducted using a similar dose response and also included industry standard fluazifop-P-butyl and sethoxydim applications. Foramsulfuron application rates of 4.04 ± 0.73 and 6.6 ± 1.3 g a.i. ha^-1 reduced poverty oat grass biomass by 50% in the greenhouse. In contrast, 4.4 g a.i. ha^-1 foramsulfuron caused >70% reduction in rough bentgrass biomass in the greenhouse. In the field, 280 g a.i. ha^-1 of foramsulfuron was required to reduce poverty oat grass total and flowering tuft density and >35 g a.i. ha^-1 (registered foramsulfuron rate) was required to reduce flowering tuft inflorescence number by 50%. In contrast, rough bentgrass was injured by 4.4 and 8.8 g a.i. ha^-1 of foramsulfuron and total and flowering tuft density and flowering tuft inflorescence number were reduced by all other foramsulfuron rates evaluated. Foramsulfuron application rates of 13.1 ± 2.4, 10.3 ± 1.2, and 5.4 ± 0.9 g a.i. ha^-1 reduced rough bentgrass total tuft density, flowering tuft density, and tuft inflorescence number, respectively, by 50%. Lowbush blueberry growers can consider foramsulfuron for postemergence management of rough bentgrass, but additional research is required to identify new herbicides for postemergence poverty oat grass management.

The difference between plant and air temperature (PT–AT) is a good indicator of water stress. PT–AT for chickpea was negatively correlated to water deficit and air temperature and positively correlated to wind; for wheat, PT–AT was positively correlated to water deficit, air temperature and solar energy; for canola, PT–AT was not correlated to the environment. Chickpea maintained positive turgor at the expense of water content and therefore more water was available for transpirational cooling. Wheat maintained water content at the expense of turgor and therefore there was little water available for transpirational cooling. For canola, PT–AT was affected by parameters other than environment.

Perennial cereal rye (Secale cereale L. × Secale montanum Guss.) has been utilized for forage production and this study investigated its perennial grain production potential in Manitoba. Two seeding years at Carman, MB, showed poor winter survival and high ergot occurrence. Therefore, this species is not recommended for grain production in Manitoba.

The genetics of the presence of coloured stripes on the flower standard in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) was studied. One dominant gene was involved in the presence of purple stripes in PR1144-5/‘Badillo’ and 92BG-7/‘Verano’ populations. Furthermore, flowers without purple stripes co-segregated with light red and white seeds in both populations, respectively, and might be used as a morphological marker to select plants with these seed coat colours. This practice should avoid expenses in the field and (or) greenhouse to conserve plants until harvesting.

CTH144 is a new flue-cured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) hybrid recommended for commercial release in Canada. The cured leaf quality of CTH144 was superior to both check varieties Delgold and CT157. The yield potential of CTH144 was intermediate compared with the checks. As a result, the economic return of CTH144 is superior to both check varieties. CTH144 has resistance to Tobacco Mosaic Virus. CTH144 is adapted to the tobacco-growing areas of southwestern Ontario.

AAC Big Ben is a high yielding, soybean cyst nematode resistant food-grade soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivar with yellow hilum and acceptable processing quality for foreign and domestic tofu, soymilk, and miso markets. AAC Big Ben was developed at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Harrow Research and Development Centre (Harrow-RDC), Harrow, ON. AAC Big Ben is adapted to areas of southwestern Ontario with 3300 or more crop heat units and has a relative maturity group of 2.3 (MG 2.3).

CO468, CO469, CO470, CO471, CO472 and CO473 are the first corn (Zea mays L.) inbred lines released from the northern corn leaf blight [Exserohilum turcicum (Pass.) K.J. Leonard & E.G. Suggs; syn. = Helminthosporium turcicum Pass.] resistance breeding program of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. All six inbreds possess intermediate to very high levels of resistance, which is expressed in hybrids when these inbreds are combined with susceptible test lines. Expression is even higher when some of these lines are combined with each other. Acceptable grain yields and moistures are also achieved in several hybrid testcrosses. All six inbreds also possess intermediate to high levels of resistance to eyespot, common rust, Goss’s bacterial wilt, and grey leaf spot.

AAC Wigle is a high yielding, high-protein, large-seeded, soybean cyst nematode resistant food-grade soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivar with yellow hilum and acceptable processing quality for foreign and domestic tofu, soymilk, and miso markets. It was developed at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Harrow Research and Development Centre (Harrow-RDC), Harrow, ON. AAC Wigle is adapted to areas of southwestern Ontario with 3200 or more crop heat units and has a relative maturity of 2.2 (MG 2.2) and protein content of 45.8%.

AAC Magnet (BW1045) is an awned, hollow-stemmed, high-yielding Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat adapted to growing conditions in the Canadian Prairies. AAC Magnet was 5% higher yielding than Glenn and yielded 2% more than Carberry, a popular CWRS wheat variety across the Canadian Prairies. AAC Magnet matured 2 d earlier than Carberry and a day later than Unity, the earliest maturing check. AAC Magnet had the same height as Glenn and was shorter with better stem strength compared with Unity. AAC Magnet had better lodging scores compared with Unity. Over the 3 yr of testing (2015–2017), the test weight of AAC Magnet was slightly lower than the lowest checks, whereas the 1000-kernel weight of AAC Magnet was higher than all of the checks. The grain protein content of AAC Magnet was 0.3% lower than Carberry. AAC Magnet was rated moderately resistant to Fusarium head blight (Fusarium graminearum Schwabe), resistant to leaf rust (Puccinia triticina Erikss.) and stem rust (Puccinia graminis Pers. f. sp. tritici Erikss. & E. Henn). AAC Magnet was moderately susceptible/susceptible to resistant to the Ug99 family of stem rusts, resistant to loose smut [Ustilago tritici (Pers.) Rostr.], intermediately resistant to stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis Westend.), susceptible to common bunt [Tilletia caries (DC.) Tul. & C. Tul.], and moderately susceptible to leaf spot complex. AAC Magnet was susceptible to orange wheat blossom midge (Sitodiplosis mosellana Géhin). Based on the milling and baking performance over 3 yr (2015–2017) evaluated by the Grain Research Laboratory, Canadian Grain Commission, AAC Magnet was classified as CWRS wheat.

AAC LeRoy (BW1049) is a hollow stemmed, awned, high-yielding Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat suited to the growing conditions in western Canada. AAC LeRoy was 10% higher yielding than Unity, the highest yielding check in the Central Bread Wheat Cooperative registration trials (2015–2017). Within the same test, AAC LeRoy was 13% higher yielding than Carberry, a popular CWRS wheat variety across the Canadian Prairies. AAC LeRoy matured 2 d earlier than Carberry and 1 d later than Unity, the earliest maturing check suited for eastern prairie growing conditions. AAC LeRoy was 6 cm shorter with better stem strength than Unity. The lodging score for AAC LeRoy was lower than the mean of the checks. The test weight of AAC LeRoy was similar to the mean of the checks. Over the 3 yr of testing (2015–2017), the 1000-kernel weight of AAC LeRoy was higher than all of the checks, with a grain protein content 0.6% units lower than Carberry. AAC LeRoy was rated as moderately resistant to Fusarium head blight (Fusarium graminearum Schwabe), leaf rust (Puccinia triticina Erikss.), stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis Westend.), and stem rust (Puccinia graminis Pers. f. sp. tritici Erikss. & E. Henn), including the Ug99 family of stem rusts. It also had a resistant reaction to loose smut [Ustilago tritici (Pers.) Rostr.] and an intermediately resistant reaction to common bunt [Tilletia caries (DC.) Tul. & C. Tul.]. AAC LeRoy was resistant to orange wheat blossom midge (Sitodiplosis mosellana Géhin). AAC LeRoy was registered under the CWRS market class.