PLUSS 

1.  The selection criteria used in the development of this variety include forage yield, forage quality, persistence, and resistance to one or more of the following pests: bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt, Verticillium wilt, anthracnose, Phytophthora root rot, and Aphanomyces root rot.

2.  This variety is adapted to the North Central region. This variety has been tested in Wisconsin and Iowa, and is intended for use in the North Central, East Central, Moderately Winterhardy Intermountain, Winterhardy Intermountain and Great Plains regions.

3.  Test variety is fall dormant, similar to FD3 checks. Test variety is Extremely Winterhardy, similar to WS1 checks. Flower color (Syn. 2) is 80% purple, 10% variegated, 6% yellow, 2% white, and 2% cream. This variety has high multifoliolate leaf expression.

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

5.  Seed increase is on a limited generation basis with 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, ID in 1998. 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:  PLUSS.

     Experimental designations:  FG 4M68.

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

     Dates previous amendments were accepted:  None

     Date this amendment submitted:   November 1, 2003.