1. GrazeKing is a synthetic variety with 67 parent plants. Parent plants were selected for persistence following two years of close continuous grazing at Eatonton, Georgia Parent plants were polycrossed in the greenhouse at Woodland, California in January 1993. Equal quantities of seed from each parent were bulked and used to establish a direct-seeded held isolation near Woodland, California to produce Syn.2 breeder seed in 1993. Seed was bulk harvested from the field. Parentage of GrazeKing traces to VS 181. Approximate germplasm source contributions are as follows: M.falcata (2%), M. varia (2%), Turkistan (4%), Flemish (47%), African (35%), and Unknown (10%).
2. GrazeKing is adapted to the Southeast, East Central, and Moderately Winterhardy Intermountain areas of the U.S. It is intended for use in the Southeast, East Central, and Moderately Winterhardy Intermountain areas of the U.S. GrazeKing has been tested in Georgia, California, Kentucky, and Argentina.
3. GrazeKing is a moderately dormant variety with fall dormancy similar to DuPuits. Flower color observed in the Syn.2 generation is approximately 99% purple, 1% variegated, and a trace of cream, white and yellow. Grazing tolerance of GrazeKing is similar to Alfagraze.
4. GrazeKing has high resistance to Fusarium wilt, antacnose (race 1), pea aphid, and blue alfalfa aphid, resistance to Phytophthora root rot and stem nematode, and moderate resistance to bacterial wilt and spotted alfalfa aphid. GrazeKing is susceptible to Verticillium wilt and Aphanomyces root rot (race 1). Reaction to root knot nematode has not been adequately tested.
5. Seed increase of GrazeKing is on a limited generation basis with two generations of the foundation and certified seed classes. Breeder (Syn.2), foundation (Syn.3 or Syn.4), and certified (Syn.4 or Syn.5) classes will be recognized. Production of Syn.4 foundation seed requires the consent of the breeder. Breeder seed was produced with field isolation at Woodland, California in 1993. Sufficient foundation seed for the projected life of the variety will be maintained by Cal/West Seeds. Stands of foundation and certified seed fields are limited to 3 and 6 years, respectively
6. Certified seed of GrazeKing will be available in 1996.
7. No decision has been made regarding Plant Variety Protection.
8. This information can be forwarded to the PVP of lice.
9. Variety Name: GrazeKing. Experimental Designation: CW 3570.
Date NA&MLVRB first accepted this variety: January 1996. Date previous
amendments were accepted: Date this amendment submitted: December 1, 1996.