Chief
1. Chief is a 200 plant synthetic variety resulting from three cycles of recurrent phenotypic selection for resistance to Phytophthora root rot/bacterial wilt (in sequential screening tests) (167 plants-cycle 1), Verticillium wilt (187 plants-cycle 2) and a second selection for resistance to Phytophthora root rot (200 plants-cycle 3). The source population for cycle 1 consisted of near equal numbers of plants from WL 316 and five experimental populations. The five experimentals resulted from one to six cycles of recurrent phenotypic selection in the greenhouse and field for resistance to one or more of the following; bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt, anthracnose (Race 1), pea aphid and spotted alfalfa aphid. Parent populations trace primarily to Vertus, Vernal, Saranac, Ranger, WL 305, WL 307, WL 309 and WL 318 with lesser contributions from Team, Agate and Grimm. Approximate germplasm source contributions are: M. falcata - 5%, Ladak - 8%, M. varia - 31%, Turkistan - 8%, Flemish - 40% and Chilean - 8%.
2. Chief is a moderately fall dormant variety adapted for use in the northern half of the U.S. for hay, haylage, and dehydration purposes. It has been tested for yield in NY, WI, IL, MN, IA, WA and OR.
3. Approximately 90% of Chief's Flowers are purple, with 8% variegated, 1% yellow and 1% cream. Mid-summer growth is erect. Fall growth is similar to Saranac.
4. Chief has high resistance to bacterial wilt and Phytophthora root rot, resistance to anthracnose (Race 1), Verticillium wilt, pea aphid, spotted alfalfa aphid and Fusarium wilt, and moderate resistance to stem nematode and northern root knot nematode. Reaction to blue alfalfa aphid has not been adequately tested.
5. Breeder seed (Syn 1) was produced on 200 plants under cage isolation at Warden, WA. Sufficient foundation (Syn 2) seed was produced near Nampa, ID for the expected life of the variety. One generation of breeder (Syn 1), two generations each of foundation (Syn 2 or 3) and certified (Syn 3 or 4) seed is recognized. A maximum of 3 harvest years are permitted for stands producing foundation seed and 5 years for certified seed fields. Foundation seed must be produced above 40 degrees north latitude.
6. Certified seed will be marketed in 1988.
7. Plant Variety Protection has been awarded in June 1987 No. 8700074. The certification option was not requested.
8. The information in this application is made available to the PVP office.