1. Parents of OK 49 consisted
of 94 plants originating from experimental lines developed by recurrent
phenotypic selection and strain crossing. 24 plants from 37, selected for
resistance to spotted alfalfa aphid and blue alfalfa aphid, and 70 plants
from OK 24,
selected for Phytophthora
root rot and other root and crown rot resistance, were interpollinated
in cage by honey bees to produce OK 49 Syn 1. Syn 2 (Breeders seed) was
produced in isolation with honey bees in 1985. OK 37 was selected from
Oklahoma common germplasm for resistance to bacterial wilt and spotted
aphids. OK 24 resulted from
germplasm selected for resistance
to root and crown rots. Most (90%) of the original germplasm traces to
Oklahoma common strains, and approximately 10% of the original plants trace
to germplasm developed for resistance to the alfalfa weevil in the USDA/North
Carolina State breeding program. Estimated major germplasm sources contributions
to OK 49 include Chilean (95%), Flemish (1%), Turkistan (1%), and Unknown
(3%).
2. OK 49 is adapted to and intended for use in the Southern Great Plains for hay, greenchop, and dehy. It has been tested for forage yield and persistence in Oklahoma.
3. OK 49 is moderately fall dormant, with a fall dormancy rating similar to DuPuits. Flower color is 99% purple and 1% variegated.
4. OK 49 has resistance to spotted alfalfa aphids and Fusarium wilt; moderate resistance to bacterial wilt, Phytophthora root rot, and anthracnose (Race 1); low resistance to blue alfalfa aphids; and is susceptible to Aphanomyces (Race 1) and the alfalfa weevil. It has not been evaluated for resistance to Verticillium wilt, pea aphids, or stem nematode.
5. Breeders seed (Syn 2) was
produced in Oklahoma with a sufficient quantity for the expected life of
the variety held in storage. Seed increase is limited to one generation
each of breeder, foundation, and certified seed classes. Up to 3 harvest
years are permitted on stands producing foundation seed and up to 5 harvest
years allowed on
certified seed production.
Foundation seed will be produced in Oklahoma. There is no geographic restriction
on production of certified seed.
6. Certified seed will be available in fall 1991.
7. Application for the Plant Variety Protection with the certification option is anticipated.
8. As a means of added varietal protection, information included in the Application for Review of Alfalfa Varieties for certification may be provided to the PVP office.