Diamond

1.   Diamond is a 113-clone synthetic variety. Parental clones were selected from populations which had undergone 1 to 4 cycles of selection for resistance to Phytophthora root rot, anthracnose, blue alfalfa aphid, spotted alfalfa aphid, bacterial wilt and Fusarium wilt. Parentage traces to Baron (88%), Granada (4%), WL 514 (4%), CUF 101 (3%), and WL 512 (1%).

2.   Diamond is intended for use in the San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys of California and high desert valleys of California, Arizona and New Mexico for hay, haylage, greenchop or dehy production. It has been tested in California, New Mexico, and Idaho.

3.   Fall dormancy is similar to Mesilla. Flower color of foundation generation is approximately 95% purple and 5% variegated.

4.   Diamond has high resistance to Fusarium wilt, pea aphid, spotted alfalfa aphid and blue alfalfa aphid, resistance to Phytophthora root rot and anthracnose and low resistance to bacterial wilt. Reaction to Verticillium wilt and stem nematode has not been adequately tested.

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 3 and 5 year stand life is permitted on fields producing foundation and certified seed respectively.  Foundation seed production is limited to the southern 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.

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