Challenger
1. Challenger was developed by crossing Phytophthora root rot resistant germplasm (50%) to anthracnose resistant germplasm (50%) selected from the cultivar Thor.
2. Area of adaptation is the upper Midwestern part of the U.S. The cultivar has been tested in Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Idaho.
3. Fall dormancy is similar to Saranac and flower color is mostly purple (>98%).
4. Challenger has resistance to anthracnose (Race 1), bacterial wilt and Phytophthora root rot; it has moderate resistance to Fusarium wilt. Its reaction to pea aphid, stem nematode and spotted alfalfa aphid is unknown.
5. Breeder seed has been produced to last the life of the variety. Seed classes will be breeder, foundation and certified; length of stand life for each class will be two, three and five years respectively.
6. Certified seed will be available in 1984.
7. Application for plant variety protection will be made but the certification option will not be requested.