Legend
1. Legend is a synthetic variety with 385 parent plants. Parent plants trace to various populations selected for multifoliolate expression and resistance to one or more of the following pests: bacterial wilt, Verticillium wilt, anthracnose, Phytophthora root rot, Leptosphaerulina leafspot and spotted alfalfa aphid. Phenotypic recurrent selection was used. Parentage traces predominately (in order of contribution) to Emerald, Summit, Edge, DK-135, Advantage, 120, Oneida, 531 and Big 10. Approximate germplasm source contributions are: M. falcata - 5%, Ladak -5%, M. varia - 26%, Turkistan - 3%, Flemish - 55%, and Chilean - 6%.
2. Legend is intended for use in the northern U.S. for hay, haylage, greenchop or dehy production. It has been tested in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania.
3. Legend is a moderately dormant variety. Fall dormancy is similar to Saranac. Flower color is 82% purple, 18% variegated, and a trace of white, yellow and cream. At first flower 30% to 80% of the plants show some multifoliolate expression, depending on environment.
4. Legend has high resistance to bacterial wilt, anthracnose, and Fusarium wilt, with resistance to Phytophthora root rot, Verticillium wilt, and pea aphid. It has low resistance to spotted alfalfa aphid. Legend has significant resistance to Leptosphaerulina leafspot but actual percentage resistant plants has not been determined. Reaction to stem nematode and blue alfalfa aphid has not been adequately tested.
5. Seed increase is on a limited generation basis with one generation each of breeder and certified seed classes, and two generations of foundation seed. Breeder (Syn. 1), foundation (Syn. 2 or Syn. 3), and certified (Syn. 3 or Syn. 4) classes will be recognized. Production of Syn. 3 foundation seed requires the consent of the breeder. Breeder seed was produced under cage isolation at Woodland, CA. Sufficient foundation seed for the projected life of the variety will be maintained by VISTA.
6. Certified seed will be marketed in 1988.
7. No decision has been made concerning Plant Variety Protection.
8. This information can be forwarded to the PVP office.
Variety Description Amendments
Paragraph four (4), Phytophthora root rot changed to having "high resistance" from having "resistance".