WL 314
1. WL 314 is a 344-plant synthetic derived from 50 populations, 45 of which were advanced W-L breeding lines. The remaining five populations consisted of 9 plants of NC 83-1 germplasm, 3 plants of NC 83-2 germplasm, 12 plants of WL 309, 18 plants of Nt 310, 29 plants of Nt 311, and 16 plants of WL 318. The 50 populations resulted from recurrent phenotypic selection programs for developing multiple pest resistance. The final selection was for stem nematode resistance.
2. WL 314 is a hay-type, semi-dormant alfalfa for stem nematode infested production areas of Western U.S.; yield tested in Antelope Valley, CA, Columbia Basin, WA and Medford, OR.
3. Flower colors are approximately 60% purple, 10% blue, 25% variegated and 5% yellow-green variegated including a trace of green. Fall dormancy is similar to but greater than that of DuPuits.
4. WL 314 has high resistance to stem nematode and both endemic pea aphid biotypes of Kern County, CA and ND; resistance to bacterial wilt, spotted alfalfa aphid and Fusarium wilt; moderate resistance to the blue alfalfa aphid; and low resistance to anthracnose, Phytophthora root rot and Verticillium wilt.
5. Breeder seed (Syn 1) was produced on the parent plants under cage isolation at Bakersfield, CA in 1975. Foundation seed (Syn 2) was produced under field isolation at Bakersfield in 1978 and 1979. Registered seed (Syn 3) was produced near Nampa, ID. Sufficient quantities of foundation and registered seed for the life of the variety are held in controlled storage. One generation each of breeder (Syn 1), foundation (Syn 2), registered (Syn 3) and certified (Syn 4) seed classes is recognized. A maximum of three and five harvest years are permitted on stands producing registered and certified seed, respectively.
6. Certified seed will be marketed in 1982.
7. Application for Plant Variety Protection is being considered.