Altura 

1.  The selection criteria used in the development of this variety include high multifoliolate leaf expression and high forage yield and persistence from older trials and/or nurseries.

2.  This variety is adapted to the Southwest and Moderately Winterhardy Intermountain U.S. regions. This variety has been tested in Idaho and California and is intended for use in the Southwest and Moderately Winterhardy Intermountain U.S. regions.

3.  Test variety is moderately fall dormant, similar to FD6 checks. Flower color (Syn. 2) is 100% purple with a trace of variegated, white, yellow and cream. Test variety has high multifoliolate leaf expression.

4.  This variety has high resistance to anthracnose (race 1), Fusarium wilt, Phytophthora root rot, pea aphid and spotted alfalfa aphid; resistance to Verticillium wilt, stem nematode, blue alfalfa aphid and root knot nematode (Northern), and moderate resistance to bacterial wilt. Reaction to Aphanomyces root rot has not been tested.

5.  Seed increase is on a limited generation basis wid1 one generation of breeder and two generations of foundation and certified seed classes. Breeder (Syn. 1), foundation (Syn. 2 or Syn. 3), and certified (Syn. 3 or Syn. 4) classes will be recognized. Production of Syn. 3 foundation seed requires consent of the breeder. Breeder seed was produced near Nampa, Idaho in 1996. Sufficient foundation seed for the projected life of the variety will be maintained by Forage Genetics. Stands of foundation and certified seed fields are limited to 3 and 6 years, respectively.

6.  Certified seed will be marketed in 2002.

7.  No decision has been made concerning Plant Variety Protection Act.

8.  The information in this application may not be forwarded to the PVP office.

9.  Variety name: Altura.

     Experimental designations:  FG 6R628.

     Date NA&MLVRB first accepted this variety:  January 2002.

     Dates previous amendments were accepted:  None

     Date this amendment submitted:  November 1, 2003.