U.S. Department of Agriculture March 13, 1968
Crops Research Division, ARS
Beltsvilie, Maryland 20705
SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT OF MEETING OF
NATIONAL CERTIFIED ALFALFA VARIETY REVIEW BOARD
December 12, 1967
This is a supplemental report on the Review Boards meeting held December 12, 1967. It provides information on Florida 66 alfalfa on which the Board completed a favorable review subsequent to a report for that meeting issued January 8, 1968.
Experimental
Variety designation
name during testing Breeder Applicant
Florida 66 A5 E. S. Horner Department of Agronomy
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida 32601
Information pertinent to certifying agencies which was requested on the application and the information submitted by the applicant are given below. The applicant should be contacted if additional information is desired.
1. A statement of the origin and the breeding procedures used in developing the variety.
The germ plasm source was a group of about 100 varieties and introductions obtained from the USDA in 1950. Open-pollinated seed from the most vigorous and persistent strains was planted in a spaced-plant nursery. After 2 years, open-pollinated seed was harvested from the most vigorous surviving plants and was planted in a new nursery. This type of mass selection has been repeated six times (cycles). At least 100 plants were selected in each cycle.
2. Area of probable adaptation and primary purpose (hay, grazing, etc.) for which this variety will be used. Report States and areas within States where the variety has been tested, and proposed areas of recommendation and merchandising.
Florida 66 will be recommended for the northern half of Florida, the only area where it has been tested. Its primary use will be as hay, silage, and green-chopped feed for dairy cattle.
3. Information of value to field inspectors (such as uniformity, leaf, flower characteristics, etc.), physiological characteristics, obvious disease and insect reactions, and other identifying characteristics.
Blue to purple flowers, non-dormant, and erect.
4. Procedure for maintaining stock seed, seed classes to be used, a statement as to the limitations of generations that may be certified, and any other requirements or limitations necessary to maintain varietal characteristics.
A one--acre plot for producing breeder seed has been planted in drilled rows 10" part at Gainesville, Florida, using seed produced by intercrossing selected plants in the 6th cycle. Remnant seed is available for re-establishing this plot when necessary. There shall be two generations of seed increase beyond breeder seed foundation and certified. Foundation and certified shall be produced in the Southern Alfalfa Region of Seed Production, south of 37o north latitude, at elevations below 2500 feet.
5. If this variety is accepted by official certifying agencies, when will certified seed first be offered for sale?
September 1968.
C. H. Hanson, Chairman
National Certified Alfalfa
Variety Review Board
Members of the Board
E. L. Granstaff
Allenby White
Robert Kalton
R. L. Davis
C. H. Hanson, Chairman (nonvoting)
Alternates of the Board
Robert Teweles
D. F. Beard
Golden L. Stoker
C. C. Lowe