Webfoot
1. Webfoot was developed by Michigan State University, East Lansing from 20 Iroquois plants selected for a branching root habit and for vigor. The plants were selected from approximately 400 surviving plants in a 10-year-old replicated yield trial on an imperfectly drained, fine-textured soil. The progeny were subjected to four cycles of recurrent phenotypic selection for resistance to Phytophthora root rot. Three cycles were in the greenhouse. One cycle was on flooded field soil. Iroquois is the sole parent. Major germplasm is approximately Medicago varia (80%), M. falcata (15%), and Ladak (5%).
2. Webfoot is a dormant variety intended for use in the northern USA for hay, haylage, greenchop, and pasture. It has been tested for three years for persistence at two location in Michigan. It has been tested for 3-year yields at two locations in northern Michigan and for 4-year yields northern New York, southern Minnesota, and south central Wisconsin.
3. Webfoot has a more branching root habit than Vernal. Its fall dormancy is similar to Ranger. Flower color is approximately 75% purple, 24% variegated, and 1% yellow.
4. Webfoot is resistant to bacterial wilt and Phytophthora root rot and is moderately resistant to Fusarium wilt. It is susceptible to anthracnose. It has not been tested for resistance to Verticillium wilt, stem nematode, pea aphid, spotted alfalfa aphid or blue alfalfa aphid.
5. The three seed classes are breeders (Syn 1), foundation (Syn 2), and certified (Syn 3). Breeder seed was produced during the 1983-84 winter by hand and honeybee pollination in a Michigan State University greenhouse. Foundation seed was produced from breeder seed in 1985 and 1986 near Woodland, California and from breeder seed in 1987 near Warden, Washington. Foundation seed is maintained by the Michigan Foundation Seed Association, East Lansing and is expected to be adequate for the expected life of the variety. One generation each of breeder, foundation, and certified seed will be recognized. A maximum of two harvest years for foundation and six harvest years for certified seed is permitted.
6. Certified seed was marketed starting in 1988.
7. Yes, Plant Protection has been granted and certification option applied.
8. Information has been submitted and approved by Plant Variety Protection.