ATRA 50
1. Individual plant selections derived from Arnirn, Culver, Narragansett, Vernal and a recurrent selection population were subjected to clonal evaluations in the Midwest and California, bacterial wilt screening, progeny testing far forage yield, leaf diseases, winterhardiness and adaptation and finally, an evaluation of restricted polycrosses and the variety.
2. Evaluated in Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and California. It is adapted and will be marketed in areas of the Northern and Central Regions of adaptation where Vernal or Ranger are presently grown for hay, haylage, de-hy, green chap or grazing.
3. Flower color dark purple through variegated to a few plants with yellow flowers. Fall and winter dormancy is between Vernal and Ranger. Dark green color of foliage. Has more resistance to Leptosphaerulina leaf disease than any other alfalfa with which it has been compared. Has resistance to downy mildew.
4. Breeder seed is a composite of seed produced on the 8 parent clones replicated and randomized either in a cage or an isolation. Foundation seed is the first generation grown from breeder seed under the supervision of the originator. The only authentic certified seed of ATRA 50, according to the originator, will be that produced from breeder or foundation seed.
5. 1969.
Dr. H.L. Carnahan, Director of Research for Arnold-Thomas Seed Service, Fresno, California, has requested that we notify you that the variety name "ATRA 50" has been changed to "520". Therefore, ATRA 50 should now be considered only as an additional experimental designation for 520. This variety received favorable review by the National Certified Alfalfa Variety Review Board on December 9, 1968.