56S82

1.  56S82 is a synthetic cultivar with 220 parent plants intercrossed in cage isolation. Parent plants trace to Pioneer experimentals with winterhardiness, forage yield, and persistence. Parent plants of 56S82 were selected phenotypically for one or more of the following pests: bacterial wilt, Verticillium wilt, Phytophthora root rot, stem nematode, northern root knot nematode, and Aphanomyces root rot (race 1). Parent plants were also phenotypically selected for improved crown type.

2.  56S82 is adapted to the North Central and Moderately Winterhardy Intermountain regions of the United States and is also adapted to Argentina and Australia. 56S82 is intended for use in the North Central, East Central, Moderately Winterhardy Intermountain, Great Plains, and southwest region of the United States. It also is intended for use in Argentina, Australia, Mexico, North Africa and southern Europe.

3.  56S82 is a semi-dormant cultivar with a fall dormancy similar to FD 6 check.  Flower color of the Syn. 2 generation is 93% purple, 3% variegated, 2% yellow, 1% cream, and 1% white.

4.  56S82 is highly resistant to anthracnose (race 1), stem nematode, northern root-knot nematode, southern root-knot nematode, bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt, Phytophthora root rot, spotted alfalfa aphid, blue alfalfa aphid, and pea aphid; and resistant to Aphanomyces root rot (race 1). Reactions to Verticillium wilt have not been tested.

5.  Breeder seed (Syn. 1) was produced on 220 plants in 1998 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:  56S82.

     Date submitted:  December 1, 2003.

     Experimental designation: X56S82, Y56S82, 98N12PS1.