1. Mesa is a 424 clone synthetic developed through phenotypic recurrent selection for reaction to blue alfalfa aphid, anthracnose and Phytophthora root rot. It was selected from four PGI varieties; Arroyo (33~) , Maricopa (27V , Yolo (23~) and Armona (17w). The 424 plants were placed in a cage near Woodland, CA where breeder seed (Syn 1) was produced in 1984. Approxima;e. germp2..~sm source con::ibu:ions are: Turkisran 26k, Ind:an :4~, Ch:.ean lOt, African 9~, M.varia 4~, Ladak 1~ and Unknown 36~.
2. Mesa ±5 adapted and intended for use in the southwestern United States for hay, haylage, greenchop or dehydrated alfalfa produc ~on. It has been evaluated for forage yield and persistence in Californ:a.
3. Mesa :s a non--dormant cultivar with a dormancy similar to ~oa;a 69. Flower color is l00~ purple with a trace of cream and variegated.
4. Mesa has high resistance to Fusarium wilt and Northern root--kn:~ nematode ~. ha~z~ resistance to Phy:ophthora root rot, blue alfa~f~ aphid, pea a;hid and stern nernatode and moderate resistance to bacterial wilt. t has not been ade~uateiy tested to determine its reaction to anthracnose, Ver:icilli~m wilt or spotted alfalfa apn~z.
5. Sufficient breeder seed (Syn 1) was produced to las: the life of variety. Seed classes will be breeder (Syn l~ , foundation iSyn2 or 3), and certified (Syn 2, 3 or 4). Foundation seed may be produced from breeder seed and a second generation of foundation seed iSyn 2. may be produced at the breeders dscre:ion. Cert:fied seed may oe produced from either breeder (Syn 1) or foundation seed ~Syn 2 or ~ Stand duration will be 1, 4 and 6 years for breeder, foundation an~ certified seed fields respectively.
6. Certified seed will be available in 1992.
7. It has nc: ye: been decided whether or not to apply for Plant Var~a:~ Protection.
8. This infornation may be
forwarded to the PY? office.