1. Gladiator is a selection from the variety TEAM. One hundred twenty (120) wilt resistant plants were selected from a population of five thousand (5000). Selections were also based on other agronomic characteristics. Greenhouse selection for bacterial wilt, vigor and seed set reduced the number to seventy (70) plants. Breeder seed is the Syn 1 generation from bulk seed produced from the polycross by hand pollination of the selected seventy (70) plants.
2. The primary purpose of Gladiator is hay type usage. Probable area of adaptation is approximately the range of the Eastern alfalfa weevil, specifically Eastern Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma eastward to the Atlantic state and north through Southern Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York.
3. Flower color is wide range of purples with very small percentage of whites and yellows. Upright growth habit with fall and winter dormancy similar to the variety TEAM. Bacterial wilt resistance similar to Vernal, pea aphid and alfalfa weevil resistance similar to the variety TEAM and moderate resistance to stem nematodes.
4. Gladiator will be in the limited generation sequence of one generation each of Breeder, Foundation and Certified Classes. Certified seed is the first generation increase from Breeder or Foundation seed. Breeder seed is produced in the State of Washington, Foundation seed in Washington and Idaho, and Certified seed in Washington, Idaho, Nevada and Utah.
5. Certified seed class available in 1975.
6. Not planned for certification under provisions of the Plant Variety Protection Act.