Atlas
1. Atlas was developed using 3 cycles of recurrent selection for anthracnose resistance followed by one cycle of selection for bacterial wilt resistance. Of the 1407 parent clones about half trace to northern hardy types predominately Titan, Vernal, Weevlcheck, and about half to Flemish types, predominately Anchor and Saranac. Several selections were also made from other sources including Beltsville 1An4, 2An4, and 3An4.
2. Atlas was tested in Iowa, Indiana, S. Carolina, N. Carolina, Kansas, Texas, Missouri, Illinois, Louisiana and Virginia. It is adapted to the north central and middle Atlantic states. It is intended to be used for hay, green chop and dehydration.
3. Flower colors are varying shades of purple with a few light blue and about 1% cream. Growth habit is upright and moderately uniform. Atlas has resistance to bacterial wilt and moderate resistance to anthracnose. It is susceptible to Phytophthora root rot. Its reaction to the spotted alfalfa aphid, the pea aphid and stem nematode has not been adequately determined.
4. Seed increase is on a limited generation basis with one generation each of breeder, foundation and certified classes. Breeder seed was produced by interpollinating the parent selections in the greenhouse. No restriction on the area of production of foundation or certified seed.
5. Certified seed will be available in Spring, 1977.
6. Plant Variety Protection has been applied for.