Peak
Applicant: Land OLakes, Inc.
Research Farm, R.R. 2
Webster City, IA 50595
Description
Peak is a 9 clone synthetic variety. Parental clones were selected in Iowa, Minnesota and Idaho following intensive clonal, Sl and polycross progeny testing for one or more of the following traits: forage, seed, pest resistance and winter hardiness. Two clones were selected from Saranac and 1 each from Pacer and Valor. The other 5 originated from recycled lines from Buffalo, Tital, Alfa, Weevlchek and a Flemish intercross.
Peak is adapted for hay and other forage uses across the northern part of the USA where Vernal is adapted. It has been tested in Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Idaho and submitted for testing in Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania and N. California. Peak will be merchandised in Northern Corn Belt and other northern USA areas where vernal is adapted and where Phytophthora root rot is a problem.
Flower color is mostly purple (51-74%) and variegated (26-49%) with trace of yellows and whites (1-1%). Peak is a winterhardy variety with upright growth habit and late summer and fall regrowth similar to Saranac and Ranger.
Peak has a high level of resistance to bacterial wilt, is resistant to the pea anhid, Phytophthora root rot, and stem nematode and has a low level of resistance to anthracnose and Fusarium wilt. No data is available on resistance to the spotted alfalfa aphid.
Breeders seed produced by diallel crossing or on replicated clonal cuttings in leaf cutter bee cages. Clones are maintained by Land OLakes and breeders seed is in cold storage. Foundation seed fields planted with breeders seed in northern areas with 3 years of harvest allowed. Certified seed fields are to be planted with breeders or foundation only. One generation each of breeders, foundation and certified permitted.
Certified seed will be available in 1979.
Application for Plant Variety Protection will not be made.