DS 647
1. DS 647 is a 33 clone synthetic variety. Parent clones trace back through several intermediate steps to Teweles Multistrain, Iroquois, Lahontan, Answer, Vernal, WL312, MSB-CW5 AN3, MSB-CW5, MSB, MNP-D1 and Dairyland experimentals. Dairyland experimentals trace back to Flandria, Culver, Ranger, Vernal and Durastan. Parent clones were selected out of forage yield plots and progeny tested for one or more of the following traits: Forage yield, stand persistence, winter hardiness, seed yield, and resistance to bacterial wilt, Phytophthora root rot, Fusarium wilt, anthracnose (Race 1) and Verticillium wilt. The percent of germplasm sources are: M. falcata (12), Ladak (20), M. varia (10), Turkistan (20), Flemish (35) and Chilean (3).
2. DS 647 is intended for use in the upper midwest, central and eastern region of the United States for hay, haylage, greenchop and dehydration. The states where it has been tested are Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
3. Flower color in the Syn. 2 is 71% purple and 29% variegated, with trace amounts of cream, white and yellow. Growth habit in mid-summer is erect and semierect in the fall. Its fall dormancy is similar to the variety Saranac.
4. DS 647 has resistance to bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt and Phytophthora root rot and moderate resistance to anthracnose and Verticillium wilt. Its reaction to pea aphid, spotted alfalfa aphid, blue aphid and stem nematode has not been tested.
5. Breeder seed has been produced from cuttings of the parental clones in an isolation block as Syn. 1. Enough Breeder seed (Syn. 1) was produced for the expected life of the variety. Seed lots will be kept separate. Foundation seed will be produced from Breeder seed and Certified seed from either Breeder or Foundation seed. One generation each of Breeder and Foundation and two generations of Certified seed classes are 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 the spring of 1991.
7. Application for the Plant Variety Protection is undecided.
8. As a means of additional varietal protection, information included with this application may be provided to the PVP office.