Apalachee
1. Germplasm traces to DuPuits, Flamande, and Lahontan. Clone C-900 (a parent clone of Lahontan) was crossed with 40 plants of DuPuits and Flamande selected for low stem nematode damage in a broadcast variety test on a naturally infested field of the Mountain Research Station, Waynesville, N. C. The 40 selected plants were used as the recurrent parents for the first backcross. Intercross progeny of the 40 plants were the recurrent parents for the second backcross. Field and laboratory selection was practiced for resistance to stem nematode and foliar diseases and for agronomic characteristics.
2. Piedmont and mountain valleys of the southern Appalachian Mountains. Winter hardiness is similar to other Flemish varieties such as DuPuits. The variety has been tested in the southeastern States Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas, and in Washington and Oregon. Well adapted in North Carolina and reasonably well adapted in other States in which it was tested with the exception of Florida. The main use of Apalachee is hay, haylage, and dehydration products.
3. Blue to purple flowers. Similar to DuPuits in uniformity, fall dormancy, and growth habit. Susceptible to bacterial wilt and the alfalfa weevil. Tolerant to common leafspot similar to DuPuits. More susceptible to frost damage than Cherokee and similar to DuPuits.
4. There will be three classes of seed: Breeder, foundation, and certified. A reserve of breeder seed to meet future needs has been placed in cold storage at subfreezing temperatures by the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station. There will be one generation each of foundation and certified seed classes. Foundation seed will be grown in Washington, Oregon and/or Idaho. Certified seed may be produced in any region except where winterkilling may occur.
5. Spring 1973.