54H11

1.  54H11 is a synthetic cultivar with 109 parent plants intercrossed in the greenhouse. Parent plants trace to Pioneer experimentals with winterhardiness, forage yield, persistence, and resistance to lodging. Parent plants of 54H11 were selected phenotypically for winterhardiness, general appearance, resistance to lodging and to one or more of the following pests: bacterial wilt, Verticillium wilt, Phytophthora root rot, Aphanomyces root rot, and Phoma crown and leaf spot.

2.  54H11 is adapted to the North Central and Moderately Winterhardy Intermountain regions of the United States. 54H11 is intended for use in the North Central, East Central, Moderately Winterhardy Intermountain, Great Plains, and Winterhardy Intermountain region of the United States. It also is intended for use in Canada.

3.  54H11 is a moderately dormant cultivar with fall dormancy similar to FD 4 check. Flower color of the Syn. 2 generation is approximately 99% purple and 1% variegated, with a trace of cream, yellow and white.

4.  54H11 is highly resistant to anthracnose (race 1), Aphanomyces root rot (race 1), Verticillium wilt, and Fusarium wilt; resistant to Phytophthora root rot, spotted alfalfa aphid, Northern root-knot nematode, stem nematode, and bacterial wilt; moderately resistant to pea aphid; and low resistance to Aphanomyces root rot (race 2). Reactions to blue alfalfa aphid have not been tested.

5.  Breeder seed (Syn. 1) was produced on 140 plants in 2001 in Connell, WA, and bulked. Seed classes will be breeder, foundation (Syn. 2 or 3), and certified (Syn. 3, 4, or 5). 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 2004.

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:  54H11.

     Date submitted: November 26, 2003.

     Experimental designation:  X54H11, Y54H11, 0lW09PM2, W00PM72.

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