WL 308
1. Parentage is comprised of 261 plant selections made in 1967 from a wilt inoculated population of approximately 1200 plants of WL 303, and 74 plants from 7 progeny tested experimental synthetics of similar type and growth habit. These were tested under the designations Cage 709, 713, 716, 720, 725, 727 and 746. The 335 selected plants were increased in 1968 and produced the initial and recurring source of breeder seed.
2. Has been in test plantings in Iowa, Nebraska and Illinois since 1969. It is now in tests in western Kansas, northern Missouri, Wisconsin, northwestern Ohio, Maryland and Guelph, Canada. On the basis of tests to date, it appears to be best adapted to the central alfalfa region of adaptation and the southern portion of the northern region. It will be merchandised as a hay variety in these areas.
3. Has approximately 50% purple and bluish-purple flowers, 48% variegated and 2% yellow, cream and white. Similar in flower color to WL 303 but has slightly more variegated and yellow flowers. No difference in plant uniformity has been observed between WL 303 and 308. Fall dormancy of WL 303 and 308 is similar. Upright growth.
4. Three classes of certified seed will be recognized - breeder, foundation and certified. Breeder seed is produced by natural cross- pollination of the 335 parent plants. Foundation seed is produced only from breeder seed planted in fields between the 37 and 44 parallels. Certified seed may be grown only from plantings made with breeder or foundation seed.
5. 1972.