WL 514
Applicant: Waterman-Loomis Co.
601 Oswell St.
Bakersfield, CA 93307
Description
WL 514 alfalfa resulted from mass selection and recombination of 192 plants from a three year old performance trial at Bakersfield, California. Parentage traces to WL 504 (21.4%), WL 50l-R (30.7%), Fl progeny of spotted alfalfa aphid resistant Sonora crossed with selections of an advanced generation of WL 504 (15.1%), and nondormant Fl progeny from an outcrossed clone of the dormant cultivar WL 209 (32.8%). The parent clones were interpollinated with honey bees in an isolation cage at Bakersfield.
It is adapted to the southwestern United States and similar areas for use as hay, soilage and dehydration. WL 514 has been tested primarily in California and Arizona.
WL 514 is a nondormant cultivar with erect growth habit. The flower color is predominantly purple with a trace of blue and white. The seed pods are tightly coiled and light to dark brown in color. Some axillary branching is manifested.
WL 514 possesses high levels of resistances to spotted alfalfa aphid, pea aphid and Fusarium wilt; resistance to blue alfalfa aphid; moderate resistance to bacterial wilt, and a low level of resistance to Phytophthora root rot. It is susceptible to anthracnose. Reaction to stem nematode is unknown. Spotted alfalfa aphid, pea aphid, and blue alfalfa aphid tests were conducted at Bakersfield, CA with biotypes endemic to the San Joaquin Valley.
WL 514 shall be increased on a 3 generation basis; breeder (Syn 1), foundation (Syn 2) and certified (Syn 3). Foundation seed is produced from breeder seed in the San Joaquin Valley of California and certified seed from either breeder or foundation seed. No other class or generation shall be recognized.
Certified seed will be available in 1979.
Application for Plant variety Protection is not anticipated.