53V52 

1.  53V52 is a synthetic cultivar with 134 parent plants intercrossed in cage isolation. Parental plants were selected phenotypically from a greenhouse screening for resistance to Aphanomyces (races 1 and 2) and Phytophthora root rot from a Pioneer experimental that had been selected phenotypically for winterhardiness, general appearance, and to one or more of the following pests: bacterial wilt, Verticillium wilt, Phytophthora root rot, Aphanomyces (races 1 and 2) root rot, Fusarium wilt, and spotted alfalfa aphid.

2.  53V52 is adapted to the North Central, East Central and Moderately Winterhardy Intermountain regions of the United States and Ontario, Canada. 53V52 is intended for use in the North Central, East Central, Winterhardy Intermountain, Moderately Winterhardy Intermountain, and Great Plains regions of the United States, as well as Canada.

3.  53V52 is a moderately dormant cultivar with fall dormancy similar to FD 4 check. Flower color of the Syn. 2 generation is approximately 73% purple, 27% variegated, with a trace of cream, yellow and white.

4.  53V52 is highly resistant to Phytophthora root rot, Aphanomyces root rot (race 1), Aphanomyces root rot (race 2), Verticillium wilt, bacterial wilt, and spotted alfalfa aphid; resistant to anthracnose (race 1), Fusarium wilt, and pea aphid; low resistance to stem nematode. Reactions to blue alfalfa aphid and root knot nematode have not been tested.

5.  Breeder seed (Syn. 1) was produced on 134 plants under cage isolation during the summer of 1997 in Connell, WA, and bulked. Seed classes will be breeder, foundation (Syn. 2 or 3), and certified (Syn. 2, 3, or 4). Foundation seed may be produced from breeder or foundation. The second-generation foundation seed may be produced at the discretion of Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. Limitations of age of stand will be one, three and five years, respectively, for breeder, foundation and certified seed. Breeder seed must be grown in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.

6.  Seed will be marketed in the spring of 2005.

7.  Application for Plant Variety Protection may be made and the certification option will not be requested.

8.  As a means of added varietal protection, information included with the Application for Review of Alfalfa Varieties for Certification may be provided to the PVP office.

9.  Variety name:  53V52.

     Date submitted:  November 26, 2003.

     Experimental designation:  X53V52, Y53H52, W97PM73.