1. Multistar is a 146-clone synthetic
variety developed using phenotypic recurrent selection. Parent plants were
selected for resistance to one or more of the following pests: bacterial
wilt, Fusarium wilt, Phytophthora root rot, spotted alfalfa aphid, and
tolerance to potato leafhopper
yellowing. Parent plants were selected from several FFR breeding populations
tracing predominately to the varieties Legend, Chief, Verta +, Edge and
Summit, with minor contributions from Salute, WL-316, 5432 and 5444. Estimates
of
germplasm sources are: M.
falcata (5%), Ladak (5%), M. varia (26%), Turkistan (4%), Flemish
(53%) and Chilean (7%).
2. Multistar is adapted to and intended for use in the midwestern, southeastern and northeastern United States. It has been tested in Indiana, Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin.
3. Multistar is a dormant variety with fall dormancy similar to Ranger. Flower color is approximately 95% purple, 5% variegated, and a trace of cream, yellow and white (syn-1). Approximately 54% of the plants exhibit some level of multifoliate expression in the autumn regrowth.
4. Multistar has high resistance to anthracnose (race 1), bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt and Phytophthora root rot; resistance to Verticillium wilt, spotted alfalfa aphid and stem nematode. It has not been tested for reaction to Aphanomyces, pea aphid, blue alfalfa aphid, or root knot nematode.
5. Seed increase is limited to one generation of breeder (syn 1), two generations of foundation (syn 2 or 3) and three generations of certified (syn 2, 3 or 4) classes. Breeder seed was produced in 1989-90 by greenhouse crossing, and in field isolation in 1990 in Washington, sufficient for the life of the variety, and will be maintained as separate lots in cold storage by FFR Cooperative. Length of stand is 1, 3 and 5 years for breeder, foundation and certified production respectively. Foundation seed production is restricted to the northwestern United States.
6. Certified seed will be available in 1993.
7. Application will not be made for Plant Variety Protection.
8. Information in this application
may be turned over to the PVP office.