153

1.   The parental clones of 153 trace to the varieties Vernal, Ranger, Buffalo and Cody. The 7 parental clones were chosen from among 561 clones evaluated for 2 years at West Chicago, Ill. and from the upper 50% of these clones tested for seed yield at Woodland. The 7 parental clones of 153 were chosen from among 20 clones tested in a complete diallel for 2 years at Sycamore, Illinois, on the basis of high average specific combining ability for forage yield, desirable forage characteristics in respect to leafiness, color, and relative freedom from foliage diseases and for high seed yield characteristics at Woodland.

2.  Adapted to the area overlapping the southern part of the Vernal usage and extending southward to include the Buffalo adaptation area. Intended for use in short duration stands for hay. 153 is in test at Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Montana, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee and in Canada. Intended marketing in the area of its adaptation.

3.  Flower colors are blue to shades of purple, not variegated. Fall growth following seed harvest normally 12-16 inches in Sacramento Valley, California, dormant after November 1-15. Growth habit is relatively tall, comparable to Cody. Susceptible to spotted alfalfa aphid.

4.  Breeder seed produced in isolation from stands established with rooted cuttings of the 7 parent clones. Breeder seed field inspected by the California Crop Improvement Association. Foundation seed produced in Idaho from stands established with breeder seed and inspected by the Idaho Crop Improvement Association. Certified seed may be produced from foundation or breeder seed stocks. Only seed produced from foundation or breeder seed will be recognized as 153 by the originators of this variety.

5.  1968.