SW 9720 ALFALFA
1. SW 9720 is a synthetic variety with 90 parent clones. Final selections were made from green house grown plants irrigated with a 130 mM NaCl solution during the three regrowth cycles. Parent clones were selected from three populations (SW 14, SW 8112, SW 9301) for increased forage yield under saline (NaCl) stress. The basis of selection was a modification of the procedures outlined in the development of AZ90NDC-ST (Crop Science -Vol. 31, p.1098-[1991]).
2. SW 9720 is adapted to areas in the Southern Sacramento Valley, San Joaquin Valley and Imperial Valley of California and to areas of Arizona where non-dormant varieties are grown. These are the areas of intended use and location of yield tests.
3. Fall dormancy of SW 9720 is similar to the FD9 check variety. Flower color is 97% purple and 3% variegated in the syn 3 generation. SW 9720 has tolerance to salt stress when measured by forage yield similar to tolerance check AZ-90NDC-ST.
4. SW 9720 is highly resistant to the Pea aphid, Spotted alfalfa aphid and Southern Root Knot nematode (M. incognita); resistant to Blue alfalfa aphid, Phytophthora Root Rot, and Fusarium Wilt; and has moderate resistance to Bacterial Wilt and Stem Nematode (Ditylenchus dipsaci). SW 9720 was not tested for resistance to Verticillium wilt; Aphanomyces root rot (Race 1), or Anthracnose (Race1).
5. Breeder's seed was produced in 1997. S & W Seed Company will maintain seed stocks of this variety. Under certification the classes of seed w11 be Breeder, Foundation and Certified. Foundation seed will be produced from Breeder seed and/or Foundation seed. Foundation seed will be used to produce Certified seed. Length of stand life allowed for Foundation and Certified seed is four and six years respectively.
6. Certified seed will be available for sale in the Fall of 2001.
7. No decision has been made regarding Plant Variety Protection.
8. This information may be sent to the P.V.P. office.
9. Variety name: SW9720 Date submitted: November 1, 2000.
Experimental designations: SW 9720, SW 9907.