Blazer
Applicant: Land OLakes, Inc.
Research Farm, R.R. 2
Webster City, IA 59595
Description
Blazer is a 10 clone synthetic variety. One clone each comes from Valor, Pacer, and Weevlchek, and 2 from Saranac. The other 5 come from recycled lines from Titan, Washoe, Buffalo, Flemish and a Flemish-Vernal intercross. Intensive clonal S1 and polycross progeny tests in Iowa, Minnesota and Idaho for forage and seed yield, pest resistance, and hardiness were the basis of selection.
Blazer is adapted for hay and other forage uses across the northern part of the USA where Vernal is adapted. It has been tested in most stites of the Upper Midwest, and in Idaho. Also submitted for testing to New York, Pennsylvania, N. California, Michigan and Ontario. Main areas for sales will be in Upper Midwest.
Flower color is mostly purple (60-78%), and variegated (22-40%) with small percentage of yellows and whites (0-2%). A winterhardy variety with upright growth habit and late summer and fall regrowth similar to Ranger.
Blazer has a high level of resistance to bacterial wilt. Is resistant to Phytophthora root rot, pea aphid and stem nematode. It has a low level of resistance to anthracnose. No data available on the spotted alphfa aphid.
Breeders seed produced by diallel crossing or on replicated clonal cuttings in leaf cutter bee cages. Clones are maintained by Land OLakes and breeders seed is in cold storage. Foundation fields planted with breeders seed in northern areas and 3 years of harvest are allowed. Certified field to be planted with breeders or foundation seed only. One generation each of breeders, foundation and certified permitted.
Certified seed will be available in 1979.
Application for Plant Variety Protection will not be made.