5396

1. 5396 is a 14 clone synthetic with parent clones selected through clonal evaluation for one or more of the following: seed yield, forage yield, bacterial wilt, anthracnose, Phytophthora root rot, Verticillium wilt, stem nematode, spotted alfalfa aphid, pea aphid and RFV. Clonal selection for forage yield was based on OP progeny tests at several locations. Germplasm sources are M. falcata (3%), Ladak (5%), M. varia (18%), Turkistan (5%), Flemish (38%), Chilean (6%), Peruvian (1%), Indian (1%), African (3%), and unknown (20%).

2. 5396 is adapted to and intended for use in the north central, east central, winterhardy intermountain, and moderately winterhardy intermountain regions of the United States. The states in which 5396 have been tested are: Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Oregon, and Washington. It has also been tested in Ontario, Canada. 3. 5396 is a winter-hardy, dormant cultivar with hardiness similar to Vernal and fall dormancy similar to Ranger. Flower color in the Syn 2 generation is approximately 71% purple, 29% variegated, and a trace of yellow, white and cream. Growth habit is erect in midsummer and semi-erect in the fall.

3. 5396 has high resistance to stem nematode and anthracnose (race 1); resistance to Verticillium wilt, bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt, Phytophthora root rot, pea aphid, spotted alfalfa aphid; moderate resistance to Aphanomyces root rot (race 1). 5396 has not been tested for the blue alfalfa aphid or root knot nematode.

4. Pre-breeder seed (Syn 1) was produced on replicated clones by hand-crossing in the greenhouse. Seed was harvested from each clone and bulked in equal quantities. Breeder seed (Syn 2) was produced on 232 randomly selected plants in "cage isolation" in 1992 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.

5. Seed will be marketed in the fall of 1996.

6. Application for Plant Variety Protection will be made, and the certification option will not be requested.

7. As a means of added varietal protection, information included with the Application for Review of Alfalfa Varieties for Certification may be provided to the PVP office.

8. Variety name: 5396 Date submitted: November 30,1996 Experimental designation: XAL46