POINTER
1. Pointer is a synthetic variety with 200 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 oldWisconsin nurseries and selections from 1993 breeder seed cages. Nursery selections were madefrom various populations which were developed by phenotypic recurrent selection for highrelative feed value (using Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy), and for resistance to one ormore of the following pests: bacterial wilt, Verticillium wilt, Phytophthora root rot, Aphanomyces root rot (race 1), anthracnose (race 1), and Leptosphaerulina. leafspot. Parentageof Pointer traces to the following germplasm sources: Gold Plus, 2888, DK 142, Nemesis,Alfaleaf 11, 329, and miscellaneous Cal/West Seeds breeding populations. Approximategermplasm source contributions are as follows: M. falcata (8%), Ladak (6%), M. varia (27%), Turkistan (5%), Flemish (45%), and Chilean (9%).
2. Pointer is adapted to the north central area of the U.S. and is intended for use in the northcentral and east central areas of the U.S. Pointer has been tested in Wisconsin, Minnesota, andIowa.
3. Pointer is a dormant variety with fall dormancy similar to Ranger. Flower color observed inthe syn2 generation is approximately 85% purple, 15% variegated, with a trace of cream, white,and yellow.
4. Pointer has high resistance to anthracnose (race 1), bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt, Verticilliumwilt, Phytophthora root rot, Aphanomyces; root rot (race 1), pea aphid, and spotted alfalfa aphid,with resistance to blue alfalfa aphid and stem nematode. Reaction to root knot nematode has notbeen adequately tested.
5. Seed increase of Pointer is on a limited generation basis with one generation of breeder andtwo generations of the foundation and certified seed classes. Breeder (syn1), foundation (syn2 or3), and certified (syn3 or 4) classes will be recognized. Production of syn.3 foundation seedrequires consent of the breeder. Breeder seed was produced under cage isolation near Woodland,California, in 1994. Sufficient foundation seed for the projected life of the variety will bemaintained by Cal/West Seeds. Stands of foundation and certified seed fields are limited to threeand six years, respectively.
6. Certified seed of Pointer will be available in 1999.
7. No decision has been made regarding Plant Variety Protection.
8. This information can be forwarded to the PVP office.
9. Variety name: Pointer
Experimental designation: CW 4437
Date first accepted this variety January 1999
Date this amendment submitted: November 30, 1999