Armor
1. Armor is a 104 clone synthetic variety selected for winter survival and resistance to diseases at Ames, Iowa. Selections trace to Apollo (41%), Vangard (12%), Atlas (6%), WL 318 (6%), Arc (5%) with 30% derived from numerous populations under improvement at NAPB since 1972.
2. Armor is a moderately winterhardy variety adapted to the midwest and Pacific northwest for hay, greenchop or dehy purposes. It has been tested in Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Idaho, Wisconsin, Michigan, Nebraska, Wyoming, New York and Pennsylvania.
3. Flower color of Syn I was approximately 94% purple and 6% variegated. Growth habit is erect in midsummer and semi-erect in the fall. Dormancy is similar to Saranac.
4. Armor has resistance to bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt, Phytophthora root rot, moderate resistance to anthracnose and is susceptible to spotted alfalfa aphid (biotype H) and blue alfalfa aphid. It has not been adequately tested for resistance to pea aphid or stem nematode.
5. Breeder seed (Syn 1) 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 the spring of 1982.
7. Application for Plant Variety Protection has been made, but not under the certification option.