1. SMA 9561 is a 21 clone synthetic variety. Parent plants were selected for three cycles for early maturity in space planted clonal nurseries. Parent plants were concurrently selected for persistence, spring vigor and forage yield along with resistance to bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt and Phytophthora root rot, Aphanomyces root rot(Race 1or2) and Verticillium wilt. Parent plants trace back to Impact and Dairyland experimentals. Percentage of germplasm sources are: Ladak(3), M. varia(10), Turkistan(32), Flemish(47) and Chilean(8).

2. SMA9561 is adapted to the North Central region of the United States. It is intended for use in the North and Central regions of the United States. The state and province in which it has been tested are: Wisconsin and Ontario, Canada.

3. SMA9561 is moderately dormant, fall dormancy 4 variety. Flower color in the Syn.2 generation is 88% purple, 12% variegated, and trace amounts of cream, white, and yellow.

4. SMA9561 has high resistance to Phytophthora root rot, bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt; resistance to anthracnose(Race1), Verticillium wilt, Aphanomyces root rot(Race1). Its reaction to pea aphid, spotted alfalfa aphid, blue alfalfa aphid, northern root-knot nematode, stem nematode have not been tested.

5. Breeder seed was produced from bulking seed of parent plants hand-crossed in greenhouse near Clinton, WI to produce Syn.1 seed in 1994. Foundation seed (Syn.2) was produced from Breeder seed and Certified seed (Syn.3) from Foundation seed. One generation each of Breeder, Foundation and Certified seed classes are recognized. A maximum of three harvest years each is permitted on stands producing Breeder and Foundation seed with five years for Certified seed. Sufficient Breeder seed for the projected life of the variety will be maintained by Dairyland Research International.

6. Certified seed will be available spring of 2000.

7. Application for Plant Variety Protection is anticipated.

8. Information in the NAVRB application can be forwarded to the PVP office.

9. Variety name: ____________ Date submitted: 11/25/98