53V08

1. 53V08 is a synthetic variety comprised of 224 random parent plants crossed in "cage isolation" in 1993. Parent plants trace to populations selected for winterhardiness and forage yield based on field and greenhouse tests. Parent plants were selected using space plant nurseries screened for one or more of the following pests: bacterial wilt, Verticillium wilt, Phytophthora root rot, stem nematode, northern root knot nematode, and spotted aphid. Phenotypic recurrent selection was used Germplasm sources are M falcata (5%), Ladak (7%), M. varia (20%), Turkistan (3%), Flemish (33%), Chilean (5%), Peruvian (<1%), and unknown (27%).

2. 53V08 is intended for use in the great plains, north central, east central, moderately winterhardy intermountain, winterhardy intermountain, and northern regions of the United States. It is also adapted to the southeast regions of Canada. The states in which 53V08 has been tested are: Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Oregon, and Washington. It has also been tested in Ontario, Canada.

3. S3V08 is a very winterhardy, moderately dormant cultivar with a fall dormancy similar to Saranac. Flower color in the Syn. 2 generation is approximately 68% purple and 31% variegated, with traces of yellow, white and cream.

4. 53V08 is highly resistant to bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt, Verticillium wilt, anthracnose (race 1), Phytophthora root rot, pea aphid, stem nematode, and northern root knot nematode; resistant to spotted alfalfa aphid; moderately resistant to blue aphid biotype 1); and low resistance to Aphanomyces root rot (race 1).

5. Breeders seed (Syn 1) was produced on 224 plants in cage isolation and bulked. Seed classes will be breeder, foundation (Syn 2 or 3), and certified (Syn 2, Syn 3, or Syn 4). 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 one, three and five years, respectively, for breeder, foundation and certified seed. Breeder seed must be produced in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.

6. Seed will be marketed in the spring of 1998.

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 Varieties for Certification may be provided to the PVP office.

9. Variety name: 53V08 Date submitted:November 26, 1997.

Experimental designation: X53V08