WL 311
1. WL 311 was developed from advanced breeding material of diverse background resistant to the spotted alfalfa aphid. Following severe natural anthracnose epiphytotics at Fulton, Maryland in 1966, 1967, and 1968 approximately 300 plant selections were combined into 25 test synthetics. Parent plant numbers ranged from 7 to 32. From the 1969 seed harvests, 400 seedlings of each synthetic were inoculated in the greenhouse with anthracnose. Surviving seedlings were planted in three large cages at Bakersfield, Ca. for seed production in 1970. Following preliminary testing for bacterial wilt, anthracnose resistance and spotted aphid resistance, cage 70 T3 comprised of 308 surviving seedlings from 12 of the test synthetics and the variety WL 215, was chosen for seed increase and released as WL 311.
2. WL 311 is adapted for hay and haylage production from New Jersey and Virginia west to Iowa, Nebraska, and Missouri. Preliminary test results indicate that it may be well adapted to parts of the intermountain and Pacific states areas.
3. The flowers are approximately 80% purple, 15% blue and blue variegated, 4% white or cream and 1% yellow. WL 311 is resistant to anthracnose, bacterial wilt and the spotted alfalfa aphid. It is moderately resistant to the pea aphid. The growth habit is upright.
4. Breeder seed was that produced in cage 70 T3, a reserve of which is maintained in controlled cold storage. Foundation seed may be produced only from breeder seed in eligible fields between the 37 and 44 parallels. Certified seed will be produced only from breeder or foundation seed. No other class or generation of seed will be recognized.
5. Certified seed is available in 1975.
6. PVP not contemplated.