1. Legend Gold is a synthetic variety with 160 parent plants which were selected sequentially for multifoliolate leaf expression and for resistance to Phytophthora root rot and Aphanomyces root rot (race 1). Parent plants were selected from crosses between selections from three year old Wisconsin nurseries that were derived from various populations which were developed by phenotypic recurrent selection for high relative feed value (using Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy), and for resistance to one or more of the following pests: bacterial wilt, Verticillium wilt, Phytophthora root rot, Aphanomyces root rot (race 1), anthracnose (race 1), and Leptosphaerulina leafspot. Parentage of Legend Gold traces to the following germplasm sources: WinterKing, 9326, Maximum I, and miscellaneous Cal/West Seeds breeding populations. Approximate germplasm source contributions are as follows: M.falcata (9%), Ladak (6%), M.varia (25%), Turkistan (4%), Flemish (46%), and Chilean (10%).

2. Legend Gold is adapted to the North Central and East Central areas of the U.S. and is intended for use in the North Central and East Central areas of the U.S.. Legend Gold has been tested in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska.

3. Legend Gold is a dormant variety with fall dormancy similar to Ranger. Flower color observed in the Syn.2 generation is greater than 95% purple and 5% variegated, with a trace of yellow, white, and cream.

4. Legend Gold has high resistance to anthracnose (race 1), bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt, Verticillium wilt, Phytophthora root rot, Aphanomyces root rot (race 1), pea aphid, and spotted alfalfa aphid. Legend Gold has resistance to stem nematode. Reaction to blue alfalfa aphid and root knot nematode has not been adequately tested.

5. Seed increase of Legend Gold is on a limited generation basis with one generation of breeder and two generations of the foundation and certified seed classes. 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 consent of the breeder. Breeder seed was produced under cage isolation at Woodland, California in 1994. Sufficient foundation seed for the projected life of the variety will be maintained by Cal/West Seeds. Stands of foundation and certified seed fields are limited to 3 and 6 years, respectively.