1. MBS 2942 is an eight clone
synthetic variety. Parent plants were selected out of forage yield plots
and/or disease nurseries and progeny tested for one or more of the following
traits: Forage yield, stand persistence, seed yield, resistance to bacterial
wilt, Fusarium wilt, Phytophthora root rot, anthracnose, Verticillium wilt,
Aphanomyces, spotted alfalfa aphid and pea aphid. The percentages of parent
clones trace back through several intermediate steps to: Tempo, Teweles
Multistrain, MnPD--1 and Dairyland experimentals. Dairyland experimentals
trace back to Ranger and Vernal. The percent of
germplasm sources are: M.
falcata (2%), Ladak (10%), M. varia (7%), Turkistan (6%), Flemish
(65%), and Chilean (10%).
2. MBS 2942 is adapted and is intended for use in the Upper Midwest and Northeast Region of the United States for hay, haylage, greenchop and dehydration. The states where it has been tested are Wisconsin, Iowa and Michigan.
3. MBS 2942 is a moderately dormant and similar to the variety Saranac. Growth habit in mid-summer is erect and semi-erect in the fall. Flower color in the Syn. 2 generation is 97% purple and 3% variegated, with trace amounts of cream, yellow and white.
4. MBS 2942 has high resistance to bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt, Phytophthora root rot, pea aphid, with resistance to anthracnose (Race 1), Verticillium wilt and moderate resistance to spotted alfalfa aphid and low resistance to Aphanomyces (Race 1). Its reaction to blue alfalfa 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.
Parental clones are being maintained for the option of producing more Breeder
seed. Foundation seed will be produced from Breeder seed and Certified
seed from either Breeder or Foundation seed. One generation each of Breeder
and Foundation (Syn. 2) and two generations of Certified seed (Syn. 2 or
3) 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 1992.
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.