5364

1.   5364 is a fifteen clone synthetic with parents originating from several experimental lines tracing to Vernal, Saranac, Saranac AR, Dawson, Culver, Iroquois, Flemish, Flemish x Vernal crosses and other germplasms with minor contributions. Parent clones were selected from several experimental populations for one or more of the following: bacterial wilt, Verticillium wilt, Phytophthora root rot, spotted alfalfa aphid, and anthracnose. In addition, parental clones were evaluated for forage yield and pest resistance using OP progeny tests at several locations. Germplasm sources are: M. falcata (3%), Ladak (6%), M. varia (19%), Turkistan (6%), Flemish (53%), Chilean (12%) and Peruvian (1%).

2.   5364 is a moderately dormant cultivar adapted to the central and northern regions of the United States for hay, haylage, greenchop and dehydration. The states in which 5364 have been tested are: Iowa, Minnesota, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Oregon, Washington, Illinois, Wisconsin. The variety has been tested using the following experimental designations: XAR64, YAR64, 83CR252, JHR873.

3.   Flower color of the Syn 3 generation is approximately 98% purple and 2% variegated with a trace of yellow, cream and white. Growth habit is erect in mid summer and semi-erect in the fall. Fall dormancy is similar to Saranac.

4.   5364 has high resistance to pea and spotted alfalfa aphid; resistance to bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt, and stem nematode; moderate resistance to anthracnose, Verticillium wilt, and Phytophthora root rot. Resistance to blue alfalfa aphid has not been adequately determined.

5.   Prebreeders seed (Syn 1) was produced on replicated clones by handcrossing in the greenhouse. 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" over a two-year period and bulked. Seed classes will be breeder, foundation and certified. 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. Limitation 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 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.