1. Aggressor is a synthetic variety with 45 parent plants. Parent plants trace to 15 populations selected for resistance to bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt, Verticillium wilt, Phytophthora root rot, Aphanomyces, anthracnose and spotted alfalfa aphid using phenotypic recurrent selection. Parentage traces predominantly to Riley (24%), Dart (12%), Exp AP 8630X (11%), Arrow (5%), Garst 636 (3%), Answer, Anchor, Apollo, Apollo Supreme, Vertus, Surpass, Deseret, Pacer, Trek, NAPB 35, WL 318 and Thunder (approximately 2% each), with the remaining 2% from many other sources. Approximate germplasm source contribution are: M. falcata (5%), Ladak (7%), M. varia (18%), Turkistan (14%), Flemish (29%), Chilean (17%) and Peruvian (10%).
2. Aggressor is intended for use in the North Central and Northeastern U.S. for hay, haylage, greenchop or dehy production. It has been tested in Iowa, Idaho and Wisconsin.
3. Fall dormancy is similar to Saranac. Flower color is approximately 82% purple and 18% variegated, with a trace of white, yellow and cream.
4. Aggressor has high
resistance to Phytophthora root rot, bacterial wilt, anthracnose, Fusarium
wilt and pea aphid; resistance to Verticillium wilt; and moderate resistance
to Aphanomyces, spotted alfalfa aphid and stem nematode. Reaction to blue
alfalfa aphid has
not been determined.
5. Seed increase is limited to one generation each of breeder, foundation and certified classes. Certified seed may be produced from either breeder or foundation classes. A 1, 3 and 6-year stand life is permitted on fields producing breeder, foundation and certified classes, respectively. Foundation seed production is limited to the Pacific Northwest.
6. Certified seed will be available in 1990.
7. Plant Variety Protection will not be applied for.
8. This information may be forwarded
to the PVP office.