1. Rushmore is a synthetic variety with 214 parent plants. Parent plants were selected for forage yield, persistence, fall dormancy, and forage quality from one or two year old Wisconsin nurseries. Parents trace to breeding populations selected for multifoliolate expression and resistance to one or more of the following pests: bacterial wilt, Verticillium wilt, anthracnose (race 1), Phytophthora root rot, Aphanomyces root rot (race 1), Leptosphaerulina leafspot, pea aphid and spotted alfalfa aphid. Recurrent phenotypic selection was used. The following sources were used in the development of this variety: Blazer XL, Prism, DK133, Encore, GH-777, and Pacesetter. Approximate germplasm source contributions are: M.falcata-4%, Ladzk-4%, M.varia-28%, Turkistan-3%, Flemish-57%, and Chilean-4%.
2. Rushmore is adapted to the northeastern and north central U.S. and intended for use in the northern and central U.S. It has been tested in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Idaho.
3. Rnshmore is a moderately dormant variety. Fall dormancy is similar to Saranac. Flower color in the Syni is 80% purple, 20% variegated and a trace of white, cream, and yellow. At first flower in autumn approximately 88% of the plants show multifoliolate leaf expression.
4. Rushmore has high resistance to anthracnose (race 1), bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt, Phytophthora root rot, spotted alfalfa aphid, and Aphanomyces root rot (race 1) with resistance to pea aphid and Verticillium wilt, Reaction to stem nematode, root knot nematode and blue alfalfa aphid have not been tested.
5. Seed increase is on a limited generation basis with one generation of breeder and two generations of foundation and certified seed classes. Breeder (Syn 1), foundation (5yn2 or Syn3), and certified (Syn3 or Syn4) classes will be recognized. Production of Syn3 foundation seed requires the consent of the breeder. Breeder seed was produced at Caidwell, Idaho in 1991. Sufficient foundation seed for the projected life of the variety will be maintained by Forage Genetics. Stands of foundation and certified seed fields are limited to 3 and 6 years, respectively.
6. Certified seed will be marketed in 1994.
7. No decision has been made concerning Plant Variety Protection.
8. This information can be forwarded to the PVP office.