1. Dart is 117-clone synthetic
variety. Parental clones were selected following 3 or 4 cycles of field
selection for resistance to Verti-cillium wilt, from populations which
had previously been screened for winter survival plus resistance to Phytophthora
root rot, anthracnose, bacterial wilt and Fusarium wilt. Parentage traces
predominantly (in
order of contribution) to Apollo
II, Endure, Saranac AR, Anchor, Apollo and WL-318.
2. Dart is intended for use in the northern region of the US. as hay, haylage, greenchop or dehy production. It has been tested in Iowa, Illinois, Idaho, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.
3. Fall dormancy is similar to Saranac. Flower color of foundation generation is approximately 77% purple and violet, 21% blue and 2% variegated (yellow green).
4. Dart has high resistance to Phytophthora root rot, bacterial wilt and Fusarium wilt, resistance to anthracnose, Verticillium wilt, and pea aphid and moderate resistance to potato leafhopper yellowing. Reaction to spotted alfalfa aphid and stem nematode has not been determined.
5. Breeder (Syn 1) seed was produced on cuttings at Nampa, Idaho and is held in cold storage. Seed increase is limited to one generation each of breeder, foundation and certified classes. Certified seed may be produced from either breeder or foundation seed. A maximum of 3 and 5 harvest years is permitted on stands producing foundation and certified seed respectively. Foundation seed production is limited to the northern region of adaptation.
6. Certified seed will be available in 1986.
7. Application for Plant Variety Protection has been made and the certification option was not requested.