5888

  1. 5888 is a 108 plant synthetic cultivar with parents selected through phenotypic recurrent selection and originating from several experimental lines tracing to 5929, Bonanza, El Camino, Hayden, Moapa, N71 Brand, Sonora, WL 501 and WL 202. Parent plants were selected for one or more of the following: Phytophthora root rot and stem nematode. Germplasm sources are: M. varia (3%), Turkistan (4%), Chilean (3%), Peruvian (1%), Indian (10%), African (71%), with 8% unknown.

2. 5888 is intended for use in the San Joaquin and Imperial valleys of California and the low desert areas of Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas for hay, haylage, greenchop and dehydration. It is expected to be adapted where other nondormants are grown. 5888 has been tested in California. The variety has been tested using the following experimental designations: XAN82, YAN82 and 86SN711.

3. 5888 is a nondormant variety with fall dormancy similar to Moapa 69. Flower color of the Syn 2 generation is purple. Growth habit is erect in mid summer and the fall.

4. 5888 has high resistance to Fusarium wilt and spotted alfalfa aphid; resistance to blue alfalfa aphid, pea aphid, Phytophthora root rot and stem nematode. 5888 has not been adequately tested for bacterial wilt, Verticillium wilt, or anthracnose.

5. Breeder seed (Syn 1) was produced over a two year period on parent plants in "cage isolation" and bulked. Seed classes will be breeder, foundation (Syn 2 or Syn 3), and certified (Syn 2, Syn 3 or Syn 4). Foundation seed may be produced from breeder or foundation. The second generation foundation may be produced at the discretion of Pioneer Hi--Bred International, Inc. Limitation on ages of stand will be three and five years for foundation and certified seed, respectively. Sufficient breeder and foundation seed for the projected life of the variety will be maintained by Pioneer Hi--Bred International, Inc.

6. Seed will be marketed in the fall of 1990.

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 with Application for Review of Alfalfa Variety for Certification may be provide to the PVP office.