XAF62 (Experimental Designation)
1. XAF62 is a 155 plant synthetic cultivar with parents selected through phenotypic recurrent selection originating from several experimental lines tracing to Saranac, Vernal, DuPuits, 530, Alfa, Flemish, Titan, Valor, MnP-B1, and Weevlchek and other germplasms with minor contributions. Parent plants were selected for one or more of the following: bacterial wilt, anthracnose, Phytophthora, and winter survival. Germplasm sources are: M. falcata (7%), Ladak (8%), M. varia (25%), Turkistan (3%)7 Flemish (49%) and Chilean (8%).
2. XAF62 is a winterhardy cultivar adapted to the central and northern regions of the United States for hay, haylage, greenchop, and dehydration. The states in which XAF62 have been tested are: Iowa, Minnesota, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Oregon, Washington, Illinois, and Wisconsin. The variety has been tested using the following experimental designations: XAF62, YAF62, 83SR241 and JHF871.
3. Flower color of the Syn 2 generation is approximately 67% purple, 31% variegated, 2% yellow, and a trace of white and cream. Growth habit is erect in mid summer and semi-erect in the fall. It is a fall dormant variety similar to Vernal.
4. XAF62 has high resistance to bacterial wilt; resistance to Phytophthora root rot, pea and spotted alfalfa aphid; moderate resistance to Fusarium wilt and stem nematode; low resistance to Verticillium wilt. Resistance to blue aphid and anthracnose has not been adequately determined.
5. Breeder seed (Syn 1) was produced over a two year period on parent plants in "cage isolation" and bulked to provide sufficient quantities for life of variety. Seed classes will be breeder, foundation, and certified. Foundation seed may be produced from breeder or foundation. The second generation foundation may be produced at the discretion of Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. A maximum of 3 consecutive harvest years is permitted on stands producing foundation seed with 5 consecutive harvest years maximum on stand producing certified seed.
6. Seed will be marketed in the spring of 1989.
7. Application for Plant Variety Protection will be made and the certification option will not be requested.
8. As a means of added varietal protection, information included in the Application for Review of Alfalfa Varieties for Certification may be provided to the PVP office.