1. XALO6 is a 12 clone synthetic with parents originating from several intermediate experimental lines tracing to Apollo, NCMP--l, Saranac AR, Anchor, Atra 55, 532, 521, 531, 520, 530, DuPuits, Vernal, Narragansett, Culver, Maryland, Dawson, Iroquois, MSA and other germplasms with minor contributions. Parent clones were selected from several experimental populations for one or more of the following: Seed yield, bacterial wilt, anthracnose, Phytophthora root rot, Verticillium wilt, spotted alfalfa aphid, pea aphid and stem nematode. In addition, parental clones were evaluated for forage yield and pest resistance using OP progeny tests at several locations. Germplasm sources are: M. falcata (2%), Ladak (3%), M. varia (14%), Turkistan (2%), Flemish (41%), Chilean (2%), with (36%) unknown.
2. XALO6 is adapted to and intended for use in the north central, east central and winterhardy intermountain regions of the United States for hay, haylage, greenchop and dehydration. The states in which XALO6 have been tested are: Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Oregon and Washington.
3. XALO6 is a moderately dormant cultivar with fall dormancy similar to Saranac. Flower color in the Syn 2 generation is approximately 96% purple, 4% variegated and a trace of yellow, white and cream. Growth habit is erect in midsummer and semi--erect in the fall.
4. XALO6 has high resistance to anthracnose (Race 1), Fusarium wilt and Phytophthora root rot; resistance to bacterial wilt, spotted alfalfa aphid and pea aphid; moderate resistance to Verticillium wilt and stem nematode; low resistance to Aphanomyces root rot (Race 1). XALO6 has not been tested for blue alfalfa aphid.
5. Prebreeders seed (Syn 1) was produced on replicated clones in "cage isolation". Seed was harvested from each clone and bulked in equal quantities. Breeder seed (Syn 2) was produced on 200 randomly selected plants in "cage isolation" and bulked. Seed classes will be breeder, foundation (Syn 3 or Syn 4) and certified (Syn 3, Syn 4, or Syn 5). Foundation seed may be produced from breeder or foundation. The second generation foundation seed may be produced at the discretion of Pioneer Hi--Bred International, Inc. Limitations of age of stand will be three and five years, respectively, for foundation and certified seed.
6. Seed will be marketed in the spring of 1993.
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 with the Application for Review of Alfalfa Variety for Certification may be provided to the PVP office.