1. Advantage is a 305 clone synthetic variety selected from a number of populations which have undergone field and greenhouse screening for resistance to Phytophthora root rot, anthracnose, bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt, plus selection for winterhardiness and potato leafhopper tolerance at Ames, Iowa since 1971. Selections trace predominately to Apollo, Vangard, Titan, Anchor, Weevlchek and Atlas.
2. Advantage is a moderately winterhardy variety adapted to the midwest for hay, greenchop or dehydration purposes. It has been tested in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Idaho, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Oklahoma.
3. Flower color of Syn 1 was approximately 95% purple, 4% variegated and less than 1% cream and yellow. Growth habit is erect in summer and semi-erect in the fall. Fall dormancy reaction is similar to Saranac.
4. Advantage has resistance to bacterial wilt and Phytophthora root rot; moderate resistance to anthracnose, and Fusarium wilt. It has not been adequately tested for resistance to pea aphid, spotted alfalfa aphid and stem nematode. It is susceptible to the blue alfalfa aphid.
5. Breeder seed was produced on cuttings of the parent clones near Nampa, Idaho with sufficient seed for the life of the variety held in controlled storage. Certified seed may be produced from either breeder or foundation seed. One generation each of breeder, foundation and certified seed is recognized. A maximum of three harvest years is permitted on stands producing foundation seed with five harvest years maximum on stands producing certified seed. Foundation seed production will be limited to the northern area of adaptation.
6. Seed will be marketed in spring of 1982.
7. Application for Plant Variety Protection has been made, but not under the certification option.