BPR376
1. BPR376 is a strain crossed synthetic variety. Parent clones were selected out of forage yield plots and/or disease nurseries. These parent plants were progeny tested for one or more of the following traits: forage yield, stand persistence, forage quality, resistance to bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt, Phytophthora root rot, anthracnose (race 1), Verticillium wilt, Aphanomyces root rot (race 1), and spotted alfalfa aphid. Germplasm sources are: M. varia (8%), Turkistan (25%), Flemish (35%), Chilean (12%) and unknown (20%).
2. BPR376 is adapted to and intended for use in the north central, Great Plains and east central regions of the United States. The states in which it has been tested are Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska.
3. Excel is a moderately dormant variety similar to the fall dormancy 4 check. Flower color in the syn2 generation is 88% purple, 12% variegated with trace amounts of cream, white and yellow.
4. BPR376 has high resistance to Phytophthora root rot, bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt and northern root-knot nematode; resistance to Aphanomyces root rot (race 1), Verticillium, wilt, anthracnose (race 1) and stem nematode; and moderate resistance to pea aphid. It has not been tested for blue alfalfa aphid and spotted alfalfa aphid.
5. Breeder seed was produced from cuttings of the parent plants planted in cage isolation to produce syn1 at Sloughhouse, California, in 1993-94. Seed was bulked in equal proportions each year and lots were kept separate. Foundation seed (syn2) was produced from breeder seed and certified seed (syn3) from foundation seed. One generation each of breeder foundation, and certified seed classes are recognized. A maximum of three years each is permitted on stands producing breeder and foundation seed with five years for certified seed. Sufficient breeder seed for the projected life of the variety will be maintained by Dairyland Research International.
6. Certified seed will be available spring of 2000.
7. Application for Plant Variety Protection is anticipated.
8. Information in this application can be forwarded to the PVP office.
9. Experimental designations: BPR376
Date submitted: November 29, 1999