Top Ton
1. Top Ton is a synthetic variety with 325 parent plants. Parent plants trace to various populations selected for resistance to one or more of the following pests: bacterial wilt, Verticillium wilt, anthracnose, Phytophthora root rot, and spotted alfalfa aphid. Phenotypic recurrent selection was used. Parentage traces predominantly (in order of contribution) to Emerald, Action, Summit, DK-135, Trident, 120, Magnum, and Advantage. Approximate germplasm source contributions are: M. falcata - 4%, Ladak - 3%, M. varia - 21%, Turkistan - 3%, Flemish - 62%, and Chilean - 7%.
2. Top Ton is intended for use in the northern U.S. for hay, haylaqe, greenchop or dehy production. It has been tested in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Michigan.
3. Top Ton is a moderately fall dormant variety. Fall dormancy is similar to Saranac. Flower color is 82% purple and 18% variegated, with a trace of white, yellow and cream.
4. Top Ton has high resistance to bacterial wilt, anthracnose, and Fusarium wilt, with resistance to Phytophthora root rot, Verticillium wilt, and pea aphid. It has low resistance to spotted alfalfa aphid. Reaction to stem nematode and blue alfalfa aphid has not been adequately tested.
5. Seed increase is on a limited generation basis with one generation each of breeder and certified seed classes, and two generations of foundation seed. Breeder (Syn. 1), foundation (Syn. 2 or Syn. 3), and certified (Syn. 3 or Syn. 4) classes will be recognized. Production of Syn. 3 foundation seed requires the consent of the breeder. Breeder seed was produced under cage isolation at Woodland, CA. Sufficient foundation seed for the projected life of the variety will be maintained by VISTA.
6. Certified seed will be marketed in 1988.
7. No decision has been made concerning Plant Variety Protection.
8. This information can be forwarded to the PVP office.