1. MultiQueen is a synthetic variety with 400 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 a 14--clone polycross population where the 14 clones had been selected for high relative feed value (using Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy), forage yield, winter survival, multifoliolate leaf expression, and resistance to Phoma ~~4ca mis from various populations which were themselves ~ recurrent selection for multifoliolate leaf expression and for resistance to one or more of the following pests: bacterial wilt, Aphanomyces root rot (race 1), Phytophthora root rot, anthracnose (race 1), Verticilliuxn wilt, Leptosphaerulina leaf spot~ and spotted alfalfa aphid. Both clonal and half--sib progeny testing were used to select the 14 clones. Parentage of MultiQueen traces to the following germplasm sources: Jewel (26%), Encore (22%), Crown II (14%), VS--775 (13%), DK 122 (7%), DK 133 (7%), and Prism (7%). Approximate germplasm source contributions are as follows: ?4.falcata (8%), Ladak (6%), M.varia (25%), Turkistan (4%), Flemish (47%), and Chilean (10%).
2. MultiQueen is adapted to the northcentral and northeastern U.S. and is intended for use in the northern and central U.S. MultiQueen has been tested in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania.
3. MultiQueen is a moderately dormant variety with fall dormancy similar to Saranac. Flower color observed in the Syn.2 generation is approximately 87% purple, 12% variegated, 1% white, and a trace of cream, and yellow. At first flower in auttunn approximately 74% of the stems show multifoliolate leaf expression.
4. MultiQueen has high resistance to bacterial wilt, Fusariuxn wilt, anthracnose (race 1), and Phytophthora root rot, with resistance to Verticillium wilt, Aphanomyces root rot (race 1), and spotted alfalfa aphid. It has moderate resistance to stem neinatode. Reaction to root knot nematode, pea aphid, and blue alfalfa aphid has not been adequately tested.
5. Seed increase is on a limited generation basis with one generation of breeder and two generations of the foundation and certified seed classes. Breeder (Syn.l), 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 1991. 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.
6. certified seed of MultiQueen will be available in 1994.
7. No decision has been made regarding Plant Variety Protection.
8. This information can be
forwarded to the PVP office.