Dawson
1. N.S. 27 is an 8-clone synthetic. Six clones were selected from North Central polycross progenies of clones that trace to Turkistan, Cossack, Ladak, Kansas Common, and Baltic origin, and two were selected from Ranger. All clones have antibiosis resistance to spotted alfalfa and pea aphids. Resistance of all clones to spotted alfalfa and pea aphids and bacterial wilt was verified in progeny tests. Forage yields of open-pollinated progeny were not significantly different from check varieties in the absence of economic levels of insects or diseases.
2. The area of adaptation appears to be similar to Ranger. The variety has been tested in the North Central region, including 4 locations in Nebraska. The main usage will be for short- and long-term hay production and in rotational pastures.
3. Purple, blue, and variegated flowers. Mostly glabrous, similar to Buffalo, Ranger, and Vernal. Winter-hardy, intermediate between Ranger and Vernal. Growth habit is intermediate between Ranger and Vernal. Resistant to spotted aphid, pea aphid, and bacterial wilt.
4. Parental clones are maintained by vegetative propagation at Lincoln, Nebraska. Seed classes will be breeder, foundation, and certified. Breeder seed (Syn-l) is the bulk harvest from replicated rooted cuttings of parental clones grown in isolated fields or in cages pollinated by honeybees or other pollinators. Foundation seed (Syn-2) is the first generation grown from breeder seed in the Northern Region of Adaptation. Certified seed (Syn-2 or 3) may be grown only from breeder or foundation seed. Number of years a field may remain in production of a seed class is to be determined by the certifying agency within that State.
5. Possibly some in 1967.