DS504
(Experimental Desig.)
1. DS504 is a twenty clone synthetic variety. Parent clones were selected from forage yield plots and progeny tested for the following traits: Forage yield, stand persistence, winter hardiness, seed yield and resistance to bacterial wilt, Phytophthora root rot, Fusarium wilt, anthracnose, Verticillium wilt and spotted alfalfa aphid. Parental clones trace to Teweles Multistrain (4), Saranac AR (1), MN germplasm releases, MNDI (4), MNBI (4) and P42 (1), USDA-Beltsville germplasm releases, MSA-W4 (3), and MSB-W4 (3). The percent of germplasm sources are M. falcata (5), Ladak (4), M. varia (28), Turkistan (30), Flemish (25), and Chilean (8).
2. DS504 has been tested in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Michigan. It will be marketed in the Midwest states (WI, IA, MN, MI, IL, etc.) The primary purpose will be for hay, green chop, and dehydration.
3. DS504 is moderately dormant similar to DuPuits. Flower color is 82% purple and 18% variegated with trace of cream, white and yellow. Growth habit is erect in mid-summer and semi-erect in the fall.
4. This variety has resistance to bacterial wilt, Phytophthora root rot, Fusarium wilt, Verticillium wilt, and spotted alfalfa aphid and moderate resistance to anthracnose. It has not been tested for stem nematode, pea aphid and blue alfalfa aphid.
5. Breeder seed has been produced from cuttings of the parental clones in a cage as Syn. 1. Breeder seed (Syn. 1) was grown for the expected life of the variety and will be kept separate from year to year. Foundation seed will be produced from Breeder seed and Certified seed either from Breeder or Foundation seed. One generation each of Breeder, Foundation, and Certified seed class is recognized. A maximum of three years each is permitted on stands producing Breeder and Foundation seed with five years for Certified seed.
6. Certified seed will be available in 1990.
7. Application for Plant Variety Protection is undecided.
8. This information may be turned over to the Plant Variety Protection office.