RIO GRANDE ALFALFA
1. The breeding method involved recurrent phenotypic selection for resistance to bacterial wilt, Verticillium wilt, Phytophthora root rot, anthracnose(race 1), pea and spotted alfalfa aphidsand vigor.
2. Areas of adaptation for Rio Grande are east central, southeast and southwest regions. The variety has been tested in California and North Carolina. The intended purpose for the variety hay, haylage, greenchop and dehydration.
3. The fall dormancy of Rio Grande is similar to FD 8 check, Maricopa. Flower color is 81% purple and 19% variegated as measured in the syn2.
4. Rio Grande has high resistance to anthracnose(race 1), Phytophthora, root rot, the pea aphid, the spotted alfalfa aphid and the blue alfalfa aphid; resistance to the stem nematode; and moderate resistance to bacterial wilt and the root knot nematode. Verticillium wilt resistance was not tested.
5. Seed increase is on a limited generation basis with one generation each of breeder, foundation and certified seed classes: breeder (syn1), foundation (syn2), certified (syn3). Breeder seed was produced under isolation in Cary, North Carolina. Foundation and certified classes are produced by Great Plains Research Company, Inc. under contract with seed growers. Age of stand for seed production for breeder, foundation and certified seed is one, two and six years, respectively. Breeder and foundation seed stocks are maintained by Great Plains Research Company, Inc. Breeder seed was produced in 1996.
6. Certified seed will be marketed in 2000.
7 Application will be made for Plant Variety Protection under the Act. The certification option
will be requested.
8. This information may be forwarded to the PVP office.
9. Variety name: Rio Grande
Experimental designation: None
Date submitted: November 29,1999