1. Abound is a synthetic variety with 220 parent plants which were selected sequentially for multifoliolate leaf expression and for resistance to Phytophthora root rot and Aphanomyces root rot (race 1). Parent plants were selected from crosses between selections from three year old Wisconsin nurseries that were derived from various populations which were developed by phenotypic recurrent selection for high relative feed value (using Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy), and for resistance to one or more of the following pests: bacterial wilt, Verticillium wilt, Phytophthora root rot, Aphanomyces root rot (race 1), anthracnose (race 1), and Leptosphaerulina leafspot. Parentage of Abound traces to the following germplasm sources: Ciba 2888, GH 767, AlfaStar, MultiQueen, and miscellaneous Cal/West Seeds breeding populations. Approximate germplasm source contributions are as follows: M.falcata (8%), Ladak (6%), M.varia (25%), Turkistan (5%), Flemish (46%), and Chilean (10%).

2. Abound is adapted to the North Central and East Central areas of the U.S. and is intended for use in the North Central and East Central areas of the U.S.. Abound has been tested in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

3. Abound is a dormant variety with fall dormancy similar to Ranger. Flower color observed in the Syn.2 generation is greater than 99% purple, with a trace of variegated, yellow, white, and cream.

4. Abound has high resistance to anthracnose (race 1), bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt, Verticillium wilt, Phytophthora root rot, Aphanomyces root rot (race 1), pea aphid, and spotted alfalfa aphid. Abound has resistance to stem nematode. Reaction to blue alfalfa aphid and root knot nematode has not been adequately tested.

5. Seed increase of Abound is on a limited generation basis with one generation of breeder and two generations of the foundation and certified seed classes. Breeder (Syn.1), foundation (Syn.2 or Syn.3), and certified (Syn.3 or Syn.4) classes will be recognized. Production of Syn.3 foundation seed requires consent of the breeder. Breeder seed was produced under cage isolation at Woodland, California in 1994. Sufficient foundation seed for the projected life of the variety will be maintained by Cal/West Seeds. Stands of foundation and certified seed fields are limited to 3 and 6 years, respectively.