StarFire
1. StarFire is an advanced generation synthetic variety of red clover with 262 parent plants. Parent plants were selected from various populations for resistance to Fusarium wilt and powdery mildew and for vegetative vigor and persistence in a four year old Wisconsin spaced-plant nursery. Source populations were developed by a combination of phenotypic recurrent selection and strain crossing with selection for resistance to one or more of the following pests: southern anthracnose, northern anthracnose, powdery mildew, and Fusarium wilt. StarFire was derived from the following varieties: Acclaim (30%), RedStar (20%), Red Baron (20 h), Redland II (10%), and miscellaneous Cal/West Seeds breeding populations (20%). Breeder seed (Syn l) was produced under cage isolation near Woodland, California in 1993. Seed was bulk harvested from all parent plants.
2. StarFire is adapted to the North Central and East Central regions of the U.S. and is intended for use in the North Centra1 and East Central regions of the U.S., Canada, and Europe. StarFire has been tested in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and California. The intended use of StarFire is for hay, haylage, greenchop, or pasture.
3. StarFire has high resistance to Fusarium wilt, resistance to southern anthracnose and northern anthracnose, and moderate resistance to Aphanomyces root rot (race 1). StarFire has improved persistence compared to Marathon, RedStar, and some other cultivars of red clover. Maturity of StarFire is similar to the variety Marathon. Flower color of StarFire is predominantly medium pink and plant color dark green. Growth habit of StarFire is semi-erect to erect. Leaf markings are present on 55 to 60% of the plants.
4. Seed increase of StarFire 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 near Woodland, California in 1993. 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 years.
5. Certified seed of StarFire will be available in 1999.
6. No decision has been made regarding Plant Variety Protection.
7. This information can be forwarded to the PVP office.
8. Variety Name: StarFire.
Experimental Designation: CW 3002.
Date NA&MLVRB first accepted this variety: January 1999.
Date previous amendments were accepted:
Date this amendment submitted: November 15, 2000.