84S37/8548N
(Experimental Desig.)

1.   84S37/8548N is a 158 plant synthetic cultivar. Parent plants were greenhouse Verticillium wilt resistant selections of the following: Apollo II (34), DK 135 (27), Trumpetor (17), Vector (14), Vernema (13), WL 316 (25), and Plant Genetics, Inc., experimental 83B40 (28). Approximately 3000 total initial plants were screened. Germplasm of 83B40 traces to anthracnose survivors of the following: Apollo II (5), Armor (10), Atlas (15), Duke (4), Mercury (15), Raidor (15), Vangard (15), Voris A-77 (15), and WL 318 (4). Approximate germplasm sources are: 5% M. falcata, 6% Ladak, 18% M. varia, 7% Turkistan, 45% Flemish, 15% Chilean, and 4% unknown.

2.   Proposed areas of adaptation are the northern midwest and parts of the intermountain west. General use will be hay, greenchop, and dehydrated alfalfa. It has been tested in California, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania.

3.   Flower color is approximately 90% purple and 10% variegated, with traces of cream, white, and yellow. 84S37/8548N is moderately dormant with fall dormancy similar to Saranac.

4.   84S37/8548N has high resistance to anthracnose. It has resistance to bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt, Verticillium wilt, Phytophthora root rot, stem nematode and spotted alfalfa aphid. Reaction to pea aphid and blue alfalfa aphid is unknown.

5.   Sufficient breeder seed (Syn 1) was produced in 1984 and 1985 in an isolation cage near Nampa, Idaho to last the life of the variety. Breeder seed produced in 1984 and 1985 was bulked for foundation seed production. It is maintained by Plant Genetics, Inc., in environmentally controlled storage. Foundation seed (Syn 2 or 3) may only be produced from breeder seed or Syn 2 foundation seed at the breeder's option. Certified seed (Syn 2, 3, or 4) may be produced from either breeder or foundation seed. Stand duration will be 2, 4, and 4 years for breeder, foundation, and certified seed fields, respectively.

6.   Certified seed will be available in 1989.

7.   Application for PVP is undecided.

8.   Information may be given to the PVP office.