WL 307
1. Continuing the clonal evaluation started in 1960 from which the selections were made to develop WL 215, two additional years of evaluation and selection were followed in the development of WL 307. Thirteen of the clones used in WL 215 were combined with five additional selections from second and third cycle polycrosses of weevil tolerant plants tracing to Atlantic, Ranger and Vernal. The 18 selected clones were interpollinated under cage in 1967 with honeybees used as pollinators. Initial forage testing under the designation 67 Cage B began in 1968 test plantings.
2. WL 307 has been tested in northwestern Ohio, northern Illinois, Missouri and southern Minnesota. Additional test plantings were made in 1971 in Wisconsin and Iowa. It will be merchandised primarily as a hay variety from northern Missouri to southern Minnesota and east through Ohio.
3. Predominantly purple flowered with 20 to 25% blue or bluish- purple and variegated flowers. Uniformity of plants similar to that of WL 215. Though precise data are lacking, it has appeared to be somewhat more uniform in plant type and growth habit than Vernal. Somewhat less fall dormant than WL 215 and Vernal. Upright growth. A high percentage of plants in WL 307 have a strong tendency towards axillary branching.
4. Three classes of certified seed will be recognized - breeder, foundation and certified. Breeder seed is the first generation produced by intercrossing the parent clones under cage or in isolation. Foundation seed is that produced in fields planted with breeder seed between the 37 and 44 parallels. Certified seed is produced in fields planted with either breeder or foundation seed.
5. 1972.