5683

1.  5683 is a twenty clone synthetic with parents originating from several experimental lines tracingto Washoe, Caliverde 65, and Lahontan. Parent clones were selected from several experimental populations for one or more of the following: spring black stem, Phytophthora root rot, spotted alfalfa aphid and bacterial wilt. In addition, parental clones were evaluated for forage yield and pest resistance using progeny tests at several locations. Germplasm sources are: Turkistan (76%) and Chilean (24%).

2.  5683 is a semidormant cultivar adapted to the San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys of California and high desert valleys of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas for hay, haylage, greenchop and dehydration. It is expected to be adapted where other semidormant alfalfas are grown. 5683 has been tested in California. The variety has been tested using the following experimental designations: XAS61 and YAS6l.

3.  Flower color of the Syn 3 generation is purple with a trace of variegated. Growth habit is erect in mid summer and nearly erect in the fall. Fall dormancy is similar to Mesilla.

4.  5683 has high resistance to spotted alfalfa aphid; resistance to Fusarium wilt, Phytophthora root rot, stem nematode, and pea aphid; moderate resistance to bacterial wilt and blue aphid. Resistance to anthracnose and Verticillium wilt has not been adequately determined.

5.  Breeder seed (Syn 2) was produced on parent plants in "cage isolation" and bulked to provide sufficient quantity for life of variety. Seed classes will be breeder, foundation and certified. Foundation seed may be produced from breeder or foundation. The second generation foundation seed may be produced at the discretion of Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. Limitation on age of stand for producing breeder, foundation and certified seed will be one, three and five years, respectively.

6.  Seed will be marketed in the fall of 1988.

7.  Application for Plant Variety Protection will be made and the certification option will not be requested.

8.  As a means of added varietal protection, information included in the Application for Review of Alfalfa Varieties for Certification may be provided to the PVP office.