Mecca
1. Mecca is a synthetic alfalfa cultivar developed by mass selecting plants for persistence, good agronomic characteristics, and disease-free roots, in early 1983 from 4 thinned 3 year old alfalfa hay fields in the Palo Verde and Imperial Valleys of CA. The fields were reportedly planted with Cibola, CUF101, Maxidor, and an unidentified non-dormant (reported as El Camino Brand under which 4 or 5 WL varieties are sold) which contributed 65, 57, 70, and 12 plants, respectively. The plants were potted and lightly rogued for good agronomic characteristics reducing the original 210 plants by 3%. The plants were transplanted in a screened cage and pollinated with leafcutter and honeybees to produce breeder seed (Syn 1). Mecca traces to M. falcata 1%, Ladak 1%, M. varia 2%, Turkistan 10%, Flemish 1%, Chilean 9%, Peruvian 2%, Indian 20%, African 46%, and 10% unknown.
2. Mecca's proposed areas of adaptation are the southwestern U.S. and similar regions where highly non-dormant cultivars are grown. Its primary use are for hay, greenchop, and dehydration. This variety has been tested in California.
3. Mecca is very nondormant and the flowers are approximately 99% purple, and 1% variegated with a trace being cream and white. The growth habit is erect in summer and moderately erect to erect in late fall.
4. Mecca has high resistance to spotted alfalfa aphid, pea aphid, and Fusarium wilt; moderate resistance to blue alfalfa aphid and Phytophthora root rot; and low resistance to bacterial wilt, anthracnose, and stem nematode. Its reaction to Verticillium wilt has not been determined.
5. Sufficient breeder seed (Syn 1)was produced in 1983 and 1984 in isolation cages near Woodland, California to last the life of the variety. Breeder seed produced in 1983 and 1984 was not bulked. It is maintained by Plant Genetics, Inc. in environmentally controlled storage. Foundation seed (Syn 2 or 3) may only be produced from breeder or Syn 2 foundation seed at the breeders option. Certified seed (Syn 2, 3, or 4) may be produced from either breeder or foundation seed. Breeder, foundation and certified seed will be produced for 2, 3, and 4 years, respectively. No other generation or class of seed will be recognized.
6. Certified seed will be available in 1988.
7. Application for Plant Variety Protection will not be done.
8. Information may be given to the PVP office.