1. Crystal is a 22 clone synthetic variety. Parent clones trace back through several intermediate steps to Teweles Multistrain, Answer, Iroquois, Apollo, Vernal, Tempo, Thor, Lahonton, MSB, MSB--CW5, MNMP-D1, NCMP2 and Dairyland experimentals. Dairyland experimentals trace back to Flandria, Culver, Durastan and Ranger. Parent plants were selected out of forage yield plots and progeny tested for one or more of the following traits: Forage yield, stand persistence, winter hardiness, seed yield, and resistance to bacterial wilt, Phytophthora root rot, Fusarium wilt, anthracnose, Verticillium wilt and Aphanomyces. The percent of germplasm sources are M. falcata (3), Ladak (20), M. varia (5), Turkistan (10), Flemish (60) and Chilean (2).
2. Crystal is intended for use in the Upper Midwest region of the United States for hay, haylage, greenchop and dehydration. The states where it has been tested are Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois.
3. Flower color in the Syn. 2 generation is approximately 76% purple, 24% variegated, with trace amounts of cream, white and yellow. Growth habit in mid--summer is erect and semi--erect in the fall. Its fall dormancy is similar to the variety Saranac.
4. Crystal has high resistance to bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt and Phytophthora root rot, resistance to anthracnose (Race 1), Verticillium wilt, and pea aphid; moderate resistance to stem nematode, blue alfalfa aphid and low resistance to Aphanomyces and spotted alfalfa aphid.
5. Breeder seed has been produced from cuttings of the parental clones
in an isolation block as Syn. 1. Enough Breeder seed (Syn. 1) was produced
for the expected life of the variety. Seed lots will be kept separate.
Foundation seed will be produced from Breeder seed and certified seed either
from Breeder or Foundation seed. One generation
each of Breeder, Foundation, and two generations of certified seed
classes are recognized. A maximum of three years is permitted on stands
producing Breeder and Foundation seed with five years for certified seed.
6. Certified seed was available spring of 1991.
7. Application for the Plant Variety Protection is undecided.
8. As a means of additional varietal protection, information included
with this application may be provided to the PVP office.