1. Archer II is a synthetic variety with 450 parental clones. Parent clones trace one population selected for resistance to phytophthora root rot, anthracnose, bacterial wilt, fusarium wilt, verticillium wilt, blue alfalfa aphid, spotted alfalfa aphid, pea aphid, stem nematode, and northern root knot nematode.  Recurrent phenotypic selection was used. Final selections were made from two and three year old nurseries near Nampa, Idaho based on overall root and crown health.
Parentage traces to experimental closely related to the variety Archer (100%). Breeder seed (Syn 1) was produced on cuttings of the parental clones near Nampa Idaho, in 1993. Breeder seed was produced under field isolation.  Approximate germplasm source contributions are: M. falcata (6%), Ladak (6%), M. varia (19%), Turkistan (13%), Flemish (30%),  Chilean ( 9%), Peruvian (2%), Indian (2%), African (1%), and 12% unknown sources

3. Fall dormancy of ARCHER II is similar to Dupuits. Flower color is approximately 88% purple and 11% variegated with less than 1% cream, yellow and white.

4. Archer II has high resistance to Verticillium wilt, Fusarium wilt, Anthracnose, blue alfalfa aphid, and Columbia root knot nematode; resistant to bacterial wilt, Phytophthora root rot, spotted alfalfa aphid, stem nematode, and northern root knot nematode; and moderate resistant to the green pea aphid.

5. Seed increase is limited to one generation of breeder seed (Syn 1), two generations of foundation and two to three generations of certified seed. Certified seed may be produced from either breeder or foundation classes. A 1, 3, and 6 year stand life is permitted on fields producing breeder, foundation and certified classes, respectively. Foundation seed production is limited to the Pacific Northwest. Breeder seed was produced in 1993. ABI will maintain sufficient stocks for the projected life of the variety.