WinterGold
1. WinterGold is a synthetic variety with 230 parent plants which were selected sequentially formultifoliolate leaf expression and for resistance to Phytophthora, root rot and Aphanomyces rootrot (race 1). Parent plants were selected from crosses between selections from three year oldPennsylvania yield tests and various populations which were developed by phenotypic recurrentselection for high relative feed value (using Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy), and forresistance to one or more ofthe following pests: bacterial wilt, Verticillium wilt, Phytophthora root rot, Aphanomyces root rot (race 1), anthracnose (race 1), and Leptosphaerulina, leafspot.Parentage of WinterGold traces to the following germplasm sources: BigHorn, AlfaStar, Award,MultiQueen, and miscellaneous Cal/West Seeds breeding populations. Approximate germplasm,source contributions are as follows: M. falcata (9%), Ladak (6%), M. varia (25%), Turkistan(4%), Flemish (47%), and Chilean (9%).
2. WinterGold is adapted to the north central and east central areas of the U.S. and is intendedfor use in the north central and east central areas of the U.S. WinterGold has been tested inWisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and Nebraska.
3. WinterGold is a moderately dormant variety with fall dormancy similar to Saranac. Flowercolor observed in the syn2 generation is greater than 94% purple and 6% variegated, with a traceof cream, white, and yellow.
4. WinterGold has high resistance to anthracnose (race 1), bacterial wilt, Verticillium wilt,Fusariurn wilt, Phytophthora, root rot, Aphanomyces root rot (race 1), and blue alfalfa aphid,with resistance to stem nematode, pea aphid, and spotted alfalfa aphid. Reaction to root knotnematode has not been adequately tested.
5. Seed increase of WinterGold is on a limited generation basis with one generation of breederand two generations of the foundation and certified seed classes. Breeder (syn1), foundation(syn2 or 3), and certified (syn3 or 4) classes will be recognized. Production of syn3 foundationseed requires consent of the breeder. Breeder seed was produced under cage isolation near Woodland, California, in 1995. Sufficient foundation seed for the projected life of the varietywill be maintained by Cal/West Seeds. Stands of foundation and certified seed fields are limitedto three and six years, respectively.
6. Certified seed of WinterGold will be available in 1998.
7. No decision has been made regarding Plant Variety Protection.
8. This information can be forwarded to the PVP office.
9. Variety name: WinterGold
Experimental designation: CW 5440
Date first accepted this variety: January 1998
Date this amendment submitted: November 30,1999