53Q60

1. 53Q60 is an 8 clone synthetic variety. Parent clones were phenotypically selected from several Pioneer I experimental populations for one or more of the following: field appearance, winter survival, seed yield, and resistance to one or more of the following diseases: bacterial wilt, anthracnose (race I), Phytophthora root rot. In addition, parents were selected based on OP progeny performance for forage yield, forage quality, fall dormancy, bacterial wilt, Verticillium wilt, Phytophthora root rot, Aphanomyces root rot (race 1), anthracnose (race 1), stem nematode, pea aphid, and spotted aphid. Germplasm sources are M. falcata (6%), Ladak (7%), M. varia (20%), Turkistan (3%), Flemish (29%), Chilean (5%), traces of Peruvian, Indian, and African, and 30% unknown.

2. 53Q60 is adapted to and intended for use in the north central, east central and winterhardy intermountain regions of the United States. The states in which Y53Q60 has been tested are: Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Oregon, and Washington. It has also been tested in Ontario, Canada.

3. 53Q60 is a very winterhardy, dormant cultivar with a fall dormancy similar to Ranger. It is a high forage quality variety. Flower color in the Syn. 3 generation is approximately 77% purple and 23% variegated, with traces of yellow, white, and cream.

4. 53Q60 has high resistance to anthracnose, bacterial wilt, and Phytophthora root rot; resistance to Verticillium wilt, Aphanomyces root rot (race 1), Fusarium wilt, and stem nematode; moderate resistance to pea aphid, spotted alfalfa aphid and northern root knot nematode. 53Q60 has not been tested for the blue alfalfa aphid.

5. Prebreeders seed (Syn 1) was produced on replicated clones by hand crossing in the greenhouse. Seed was harvested from each clone separately. Breeder seed (Syn 2) was produced on 203 plants selected to equally represent the eight parent clones in "cage isolation" in 1992 and bulked. Seed classes will be breeder, foundation (Syn 3 or Syn 4) and certified (Syn 3, Syn 4 or Syn 5). Foundation seed may be produced from breeder or foundation. The second generation foundation seed may be produced at the discretion of Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. Limitations of age of stand will be one, three, and five years, respectively, for breeder, foundation, and certified seed. Breeder seed must be produced in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. will maintain sufficient breeder seed and foundation seed for the projected life of the variety.

6. Seed will be marketed in the fall of 1997.

7. Application for Plant Variety Protection will be made, and the certification option will not be requested.

8. As a means of added varietal protection, information included with the Application for review of Alfalfa Varieties for Certification may be provided to the PVP office.

9. Variety name: 53Q60 Date submitted:November 26, 1997.

Experimental designation: Y53Q60