Unico
1. Unico has four parent clones selected for resistance to strain ENT-B of the spotted alfalfa aphid. Two of the clones are from the variety African (P-2 and 3-41). Both are parent clones, in the variety Sonora. The other two are from Plant Introduction P.1. 235,736 from India (M-56-10 and M-56-ll). Both are parent clones in the variety Mesa-Sirsa. Two intra-variety "single-crosses" were produced in separate isolation blocks at Tucson, Arizona. Seeds from the two single crosses were planted in alternate rows for cross pollination. Seed from this cross has been called "double-cross" seed.
2. The central valley of California and the lower desert valley areas of Southwestern United States, primarily for hay production.
3. Purple flowered with no variegation. Uniformly upright. Very nondormant, similar to Mesa-Sirsa. More tolerant or resistant to the downy mildew fungus and the spotted alfalfa aphid than Moapa or Sonora, but similar to Mesa-Sirsa.
4. Seed of the (African x African) and (Sirsa x Sirsa) single-crosses will be produced under cage in Arizona. A 1:1 blend of the seed from the two single-crosses will be called breeder seed. Breeder seed will be planted to produce the first synthetic generation of the "double-cross" combination and will be called foundation seed. Foundation seed will be planted to produce the second synthetic generation and will be called certified seed.
5. Fall of 1968.
Dr. M.H. Schonhorst, Department of Agronomy, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, has requested that we notify you that the variety name "Unico" has been changed to "El-Unico". This variety received favorable review by the National Certified Alfalfa Variety Review Board on December 12, 1967.