Inventors:

Johnson, David W. (West Salem, WI, US)
Darling, Mark E. (Woodland, CA, US)
Miller, Douglas K. (West Salem, WI, US)
Reich, Jonathan M. (Woodland, CA, US)

Plaque It!

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/698,424 filed Nov. 3, 2003, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/422,857, filed Nov. 1, 2002, each of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of alfalfa plants, and more specifically to alfalfa germplasm and alfalfa varieties having improved standability and/or fast recovery after spring green-up or fast recovery after harvest and methods for producing such improved germplasm and varieties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

All publications and patent applications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed inventions, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) is an important forage species for hay and pasture which has been referred to as the “Queen of the Forages” because of its high yields and feeding value. Alfalfa is recognized as the most widely adapted agronomic crop, as an effective source of biological nitrogen (N ₂) fixation, useful in the improvement of soil tilth, as an important source of protein yield/ha, and as an attractive source of nectar for honey bees. For a comprehensive review of the benefits of alfalfa as an agronomic crop, see Barnes et al., Highlights in the USA and Canada 1:2-24, In Alfalfa and Alfalfa Improvement, Hanson et al. (ed.), American Society of Agronomy, Monograph No. 29 (1988).

Although alfalfa originated in southwestern Asia, it is well adapted to a wide range of climates and soils in the United States. Alfalfa is classified into fall dormancy groups, numbered 1 to 10 that can be fitted into the plant hardiness zone map. Dormancy group 1 is very dormant and suited for cold climates (such varieties stop growing and go dormant over winter), and dormancy group 10 is very non-dormant and suited for very hot climates (such varieties have high growth rates over a very long growing season and would have relatively high winter activity). For a comprehensive review of geographic adaptation of alfalfa, see Melton et al., Geographic Adaptation and Cultivar Selection 20: 595-620, In Alfalfa and Alfalfa Improvement, supra. For a comprehensive review of the distribution, history and origin of alfalfa, see Michaud et al., World Distribution and Historical Development 2:25-91, In Alfalfa and Alfalfa Improvement, supra; and, Quiros et al., The Genus Medicago and the Origin of the Medicago sativa Complex 3:93-124, In Alfalfa and Alfalfa Improvement, supra.

The genus Medicago is widely distributed and comprises an array of diverse species that are either annual or perennial. The most recent taxonomic studies of the perennial species concluded that M. sativa is polymorphic. Lesins and Gillies (Taxonomy and cytogenetics of Medicago 353-386, In Alfalfa science and technology, C. H. Hanson (ed.), American Society of Agronomy, (1972)) defined the complex as M. sativa -falcata-glutinosa, and Gunn et al. ( USDA Tech. Bull. No. 1574 (1978)) designated it as the M. sativa sensu lato complex.

M. sativa plants are autopolyploid organisms, or more specifically, autotetraploids. More specifically, M. sativa plants are polysomic polyploid organisms that display tetrasomic inheritance patterns.

Essentially all annual species are cleistogamous and are exclusively self-pollinated. Generally, the perennial species require tripping, as by insect visits to the floral structures, and will set seed from either self or cross-pollination. Crosses can be made among subspecies in the M. sativa complexes and between the cultivated tetraploids and wild diploids without special preparation of the parents. For a comprehensive review of the floral characteristics, plant culture, and methods of self-pollinating or hybridizing alfalfa, see D. K. Barnes, Alfalfa 9:177-187, In Hybridization of Crop Plants, Fehr et al. (ed.), American Society of Agronomy Inc. (1980).

Commercial alfalfa seed may be provided either in a synthetic variety or a hybrid variety. Commercial production of synthetic varieties may include a breeder seed production stage, a foundation seed production stage, a registered seed production stage and a certified seed production stage. Hybrid variety seed production may involve up to three stages including a breeder seed production stage, a foundation seed production stage and a certified seed production stage.

Efforts in developing healthy and productive alfalfa varieties often focus on breeding for disease and stress-resistant cultivars, for example, breeding for persistence, breeding for adaptation to specific environments, breeding for yield per se, and breeding for quality. Between 1900 and 1975 more than 160 cultivars were developed for production in North America. Most of the newer cultivars were selected for improved adaptation and multiple pest resistance. Success has been attained in breeding for resistance to fungal, bacterial, insect, and nematode pests, including, but not limited to the development of varieties tolerant/resistant to bacterial wilt and common leaf spot (see, e.g., Elgin, Jr., et al., Breeding for Disease and Nematode Resistance 827-858, In Alfalfa and Alfalfa Improvement, supra) and to the spotted alfalfa aphid and alfalfa weevil (see, e.g., Sorensen et al., Breeding for Insect Resistance 859-902, In Alfalfa and Alfalfa Improvement, supra). Breeders have had less success in breeding for yield and quality per se (see, e.g., Hill et al., Breeding for Yield and Quality 26:809-825, In Alfalfa and Alfalfa Improvement, supra), although methods have been developed that help increase productivity and yield (U.S. Pat. No. 4,045,912). Historically, yield and productivity, quality and persistence are objectives of high concern to farmers.

Many factors affect the yield, productivity and quality of alfalfa harvests. One of the many factors affecting the quality of an alfalfa harvest is the stage of development or physiological maturity of the plant at harvest time (Kalu et al., Crop Science, Vol. 23, 1167-1172, December 1983). This dependency on stage of development suggests that herbage quality can be predicted by the maturity stage of the alfalfa. And in fact, methods of classifying the morphological stage of alfalfa have been developed to assist in the prediction of herbage quality (Kalu et al., Crop Science, Vol. 21, 267-271 (March-April 1981)).

Another factor that affects yield and quality is plant lodging that can result in plant stubble being left in the field at harvest time. Lodged or downed alfalfa causes great losses to farmers because it increases mowing time and results in reductions of both the yield and the quality of the harvested crop. University research has shown that an unharvested 7-inch stubble versus a clean cut 2-inch stubble can reduce forage yield by up to one third. Thus, alfalfa plants with improved standability are desirable because they require less mowing time and have a higher forage yield with improved forage quality.

Recovery time between harvests also limits overall alfalfa yields. A faster recovery between harvest shortens the number of days between harvests, which therefore maximizes the number of harvests and net yield for each season. Growers recognize and value the importance of this characteristic for its contribution to the season's net yield per acre. Additionally, fast recovery also contributes to moisture conservation, weed control and forage quality.

The “French” types of alfalfa include Flemish (or Flamande), Poitou, and Provence. North American alfalfa breeders have generally grouped the French alfalfa lines, including the French varieties ‘Europe’ (or ‘Europa’) and ‘Mercedes’, into the Flemish type. Flemish-type alfalfa varieties are characterized as being fast to recover after cutting, early to mature, vigorous, generally resistant to foliar diseases, susceptible to root and crown diseases, and moderately winter hardy. However, the Flemish-type alfalfa varieties are not considered to be adapted to North American growing conditions (see, e.g., Barnes et al., Alfalfa germplasm in the United States: Genetic vulnerability, use, improvement, and maintenance. USDA Tech. Bull. 1571, 21 pages (1977); Miller, D. and B. Melton, Description of Alfalfa Germplasm Culitvars and Germplasm Sources. New Mexico Agric. Exp. Stn. Special Report 53, 497 pages (1983)). Thus, while the French alfalfa varieties have some characteristics that would be beneficial for alfalfa production in the United States and Canada, they are not directly useful as North American alfalfa varieties due to their non-adaptability to its production and growing conditions.

As demonstrated by this review, there is a real need for alfalfa varieties with improved standability and/or faster recovery after spring green-up or faster recovery after harvest. The present invention provides alfalfa plants with improved standability and faster recovery after spring green-up or after harvest and methods of selection, breeding and production that use such plants. The alfalfa plants provided by this invention will reduce field losses from downed alfalfa, and provide for a better season long-distribution of yield, faster ground cover after spring green-up or after harvest, flexible harvest window, more net yield each season, equipment and labor efficiencies and management flexibility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides alfalfa plants and alfalfa varieties having improved recovery after spring green-up or after harvest when compared to adapted commercial alfalfa plants and alfalfa varieties grown under the same field growing conditions in North America.

This invention provides alfalfa varieties that have on average about 8% or greater faster recovery after spring green-up or after harvest compared to an adapted commercial alfalfa variety grown under the same field growing conditions in North America. This invention further provides such alfalfa varieties that have on average about 9%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, or 30% or greater faster recovery after spring green-up or after harvest.

This invention provides alfalfa varieties that have on average about 8% or greater faster recovery after spring green-up or after harvest compared to an adapted commercial alfalfa variety grown under the same field growing conditions in North America, wherein the adapted commercial variety is ‘WinterGold’, ‘WL325HQ’, ‘WL319HQ’ and/or ‘Hybri-Force 400’. This invention further provides such alfalfa varieties that have on average about 9%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, or 30% or greater faster recovery after spring green-up or after harvest.

This invention provides alfalfa varieties that have on average about 15% or greater more erect stems at late bloom compared to an adapted commercial alfalfa variety grown under the same field growing conditions in North America. This invention further provides such alfalfa varieties that have on average about 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60% or greater more erect stems.

This invention provides alfalfa varieties that have on average about 15% or greater more erect stems at late bloom compared to an adapted commercial alfalfa variety grown under the same field growing conditions in North America, wherein the adapted commercial variety is ‘WinterGold’, ‘WL325HQ’, ‘WL319HQ’ and/or ‘Hybri-Force 400’. This invention further provides such alfalfa varieties that have on average about 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60% or greater more erect stems. This invention provides alfalfa varieties with the following characteristics:

a) on average about 8%, or 9%, or 10%, or 15%, or 20%, or 25%, or 30% or greater faster recovery after spring green-up or after harvest compared to an adapted commercial variety grown under the same field growing conditions in North America; and

b) on average about 15%, or 20%, or 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60% or greater more erect stems at late bloom compared to an adapted commercial variety grown under the same field growing conditions in North America.

This invention provides alfalfa varieties with the following characteristics:

a) on average about 8%, or 9%, or 10%, or 15%, or 20%, or 25%, or 30% or greater faster recovery after spring green-up or after harvest compared to an adapted commercial variety grown under the same field growing conditions in North America, wherein the adapted commercial variety is ‘WinterGold’, ‘WL325HQ’, ‘WL319HQ’ and/or ‘Hybri-Force 400’; and

b) on average about 15%, or 20%, or 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60% or greater more erect stems at late bloom compared to an adapted commercial variety grown under the same field growing conditions in North America, wherein the adapted commercial variety is ‘WinterGold’, ‘WL325HQ’, ‘WL319HQ’ and/or ‘Hybri-Force 400’.

The invention also provides any of the reproductive and regenerative parts of any of the alfalfa varieties of the present invention, including but not limited to plant cells (in vivo and in vitro), cell cultures, plant parts, plant tissues and tissue cultures. Examples of such plant cells, plant tissues or plant parts include but are not limited to pollen, ovary, ovules, cotyledons, seeds, seedlings, leaflets, leaves, petioles, stems, branches, stipules, and the like.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a tissue culture of regenerable cells of an alfalfa plant obtained from the alfalfa varieties of the present invention, wherein the tissue regenerates plants having all or substantially all of the morphological and physiological characteristics of the alfalfa plants provided by the present invention. In one such embodiment, the tissue culture is derived from a plant part selected from the group consisting of leaves, roots, root tips, root hairs, anthers, pistils, stamens, pollen, ovules, flowers, seeds, embryos, stems, buds, cotyledons, hypocotyls, cells and protoplasts. In another such embodiment, the present invention includes an alfalfa plant regenerated from the above described tissue culture.

This invention provides the cells, cell culture, tissues, tissue culture, seed, whole plant and plant parts of alfalfa germplasm designated ‘CW 75046’ and having ATCC Accession No. PTA-5346.

This invention provides the cells, cell culture, tissues, tissue culture, seed, whole plant and plant parts of alfalfa germplasm designated ‘CW 83201’ and having ATCC Accession No. PTA-5347.

This invention provides the cells, cell culture, tissues, tissue culture, seed, whole plant and plant parts of alfalfa germplasm designated ‘CW 85029’ and having ATCC Accession No. PTA-5348.

This invention provides the cells, cell culture, tissues, tissue culture, seed, whole plant and plant parts of alfalfa germplasm designated ‘CW 95026’ and having ATCC Accession No. PTA-5349.

This invention also provides methods for producing first-generation synthetic varieties of alfalfa seed wherein the method involves crossing a first parent alfalfa plant with a second parent alfalfa plant and harvesting resultant first-generation (F1) hybrid alfalfa seed, wherein said first or second parent alfalfa plant is selected from one of the alfalfa varieties provided by this invention.

This invention also provides a cell, cell culture, tissue and/or tissue culture of regenerable cells, the cells comprising genetic material from a synthetic variety alfalfa plant named ‘CW 75046’, wherein the cells regenerate plants having all or substantially all of the morphological and physiological characteristics of the synthetic alfalfa variety named ‘CW 75046’, the seed of which have been deposited and have ATCC Accession No. PTA-5346.

This invention also provides a cell, cell culture, tissue, and/or tissue culture of regenerable cells, the cells comprising genetic material from a synthetic variety alfalfa plant named ‘CW 83201’, wherein the cells regenerate plants having all or substantially all of the morphological and physiological characteristics of the synthetic alfalfa variety named CW 83021, the seed of which have been deposited and have ATCC Accession No. PTA-5347.

This invention also provides a cell, cell culture, tissue and/or tissue culture of regenerable cells, the cells comprising genetic material from a synthetic variety alfalfa plant named ‘CW 85029’, wherein the cells regenerate plants having all or substantially all of the morphological and physiological characteristics of the synthetic alfalfa variety named ‘CW 85029’, the seed of which have been deposited and have ATCC Accession No. PTA-5348.

This invention also provides a cell, cell culture, tissue and/or tissue culture of regenerable cells, the cells comprising genetic material from a synthetic variety alfalfa plant named ‘CW 95026’, wherein the cells regenerate plants having all or substantially all of the morphological and physiological characteristics of the synthetic alfalfa variety named ‘CW 95026’, the seed of which have been deposited and have ATCC Accession No. PTA-5349.

This invention provides alfalfa varieties having high yield, persistence, multiple pest resistance, fast recovery after winter, improved standability and fast recovery after spring green-up or after harvest when compared to an appropriate check variety grown under the same field growing conditions in North America.

In a further aspect, the invention provides alfalfa plants useful for isolating genes, wherein the expression of the genes results in the production of alfalfa varieties having improved standability and/or fast recovery after spring green-up or after harvest when compared to an appropriate check variety grown under the same field growing conditions in North America.

In yet a further aspect, the invention provides plants useful for isolating genes that can be used to produce transgenic plants containing such genes, wherein the expression of the genes results in the production of alfalfa varieties having improved standability and/or fast recovery after spring green-up or after harvest when compared to an appropriate check variety grown under the same field growing conditions in North America.

In a further aspect, the invention contemplates feed for ruminants comprising the alfalfa varieties provided by the present invention. Alfalfa is a basic forage for maximizing ruminant animal production and provides an important source of nutrients for ruminant livestock such as dairy and beef cattle. Feed which includes alfalfa varieties of the present invention can take many forms including but not limited to greenchop, silage, hay, haylage, and dehydrated alfalfa, also called dehy.

In another embodiment, the invention also includes using the alfalfa varieties of the present invention in methods of producing animal feeds and in methods of administering such feeds to animals.

Although the present invention is broadly as defined above, it will be appreciated by those persons skilled in the art that it is not limited thereto and that it further includes the embodiments that are described below.

The methods of the present invention can be used to produce alfalfa plants with faster recovery after spring green-up or after harvest when compared to appropriate alfalfa check varieties.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be clear from the description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic that details the major steps involved in the development of new alfalfa varieties. Key to “Characterization”: FD=Fall Dormancy; ML=Multifoliolate Leaf Expression; WSR=Winter Survival Rating; MPR=Multiple Pest Resistance; FLR=Flowering or Maturity Stage; and STD=Standability Rating.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are described.

Overview of the Invention

Historically, improvements of yield, productivity and forage quality have been objectives of high concern to alfalfa breeders. The quest for improvements in these important traits has led to the alfalfa plants of the instant invention. The alfalfa plants of the instant invention are the first alfalfa varieties with adaptation to North America that combine improved standability with faster recovery after spring green-up or after harvest. These new alfalfa varieties offer high yield, persistence, a complete pest package, improved standability, and faster recovery after spring green-up or after harvest.

Prior to the instant invention, the standability differences between commercial alfalfa varieties has been so small that most alfalfa breeders do not even rate their varieties for this important trait. The improved standability of the alfalfa plants of the instant invention is even more useful when weather conditions are such that presently-available alfalfa varieties would typically lodge. The faster recovery after spring green-up or after harvest of the alfalfa varieties of the instant invention speed “green-up” by 3-5 days, which reduces the number of days to maturity and to the next cutting. This earlier maturity to harvest starts with the first crop and can give large acreage alfalfa growers or dairymen who use contract harvesters a head start each season. The days gained on each crop harvest helps maximize the number of cuts taken before the fall cut-off date for harvesting. Thus, the improved alfalfa plants of the present invention allow growers to capture more of the season's total yield on harvests subsequent to first cutting when the weather is usually more cooperative.

Agronomic benefits to growers of these alfalfa varieties include, but are not limited to, reduced field losses from downed alfalfa, a better season long distribution of yield, faster ground cover after spring green-up or after harvest, and a more flexible harvest window. Economic benefits include, but are not limited to, potential for more net yield each season, equipment and labor efficiencies, and management flexibility.

Definitions

As used herein, the term “alfalfa” means any Medicago species, including, but not limited to, M. sativa, M. murex, M. falcata, M. prostrata and M. truncatula. Thus, as used herein, the term “alfalfa” means any type of alfalfa including, but is not limited to, any alfalfa commonly referred to as cultivated alfalfa, diploid alfalfa, glanded alfalfa, purple-flowered alfalfa, sickle alfalfa, variegated alfalfa, wild alfalfa, or yellow-flowered alfalfa.

As used herein, the terms “lodging” or “lodged” mean the settling or collapse of a plant from an upright position. A plant is considered to be “lodged” to a given extent based on the proportion of it's stem(s) that have an angle with the ground of about 45° or less. Thus, according to this definition, a plant stem that has an angle with the ground of about 40° or less, or about 35° or less, or about 30° or less, or about 25° or less, or about 20° or less, or about 15° or less, or about 10° or less, or about 5° or less is considered to be lodged.

As used herein, the term “standability” means an alfalfa plant's resistance to lodging.

As used herein, the term “variety” means a subdivision of a species, consisting of a group of individuals within the species that is distinct in form or function from other similar arrays of individuals.

Seed Deposits

On Jul. 25, 2003, at least 2,500 seeds of each of four different alfalfa varieties were deposited under the conditions of the Budapest Treaty with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801 University Blvd., Manassas, Va. 20110-2209. The following four seed deposits are exemplary of the instant invention:

- Seed of alfalfa germplasm designated ‘CW 75046’ has been given ATCC No. PTA-5346.
- Seed of alfalfa germplasm designated ‘CW 83201’ has been given ATCC No. PTA-5347.
- Seed of alfalfa germplasm designated ‘CW 85029’ has been given ATCC No. PTA-5348.
- Seed of alfalfa germplasm designated ‘CW 95026’ has been given ATCC No. PTA-5349.
  Trait Determinations

The various plant ratings used herein are based on the North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference (NAAIC) Standard Tests To Characterize Alfalfa Cultivars (Third Edition, Amended 2002), except for the Recovery After Spring Green-up or After Harvest Rating and Standability Rating that are established by the methods disclosed herein.

Fall Dormancy (FD). The reaction of alfalfa varieties to decreasing daylength and temperatures in the fall versus check varieties. FD 1=‘Maverick’; FD 2=‘Vernal’; FD 3=‘5246’; FD 4=‘Legend’; FD 5=‘Archer’; FD 6=‘ABI 700’; FD 7=‘Dona Ana’; FD 8=‘Pierce’; FD 9=‘CUF101’; FD 10=‘UC-1887’; and FD 11=‘UC-1465’.

Winter Survival Rating (WSR). 1=most winter hardy and least winter injury and 6=least hardy and injury resulting in plant death. Ratings are in relationship to winter injury incurred by standard check varieties. WSR 1=‘Beaver’ or ‘Maverick’ or ‘ZG9830’; WSR 2=‘Vernal’ or ‘526’ or ‘5262’; WSR 3=‘Apica’ or ‘Ranger’ or ‘WL325HQ’; WSR 4=‘G-2852’ or ‘Fortress’; WSR 5=‘Archer’ or ‘Sutter’; and WSR 6=‘Cuf 101’ or ‘Moapa 69’.

Multifoliate Leaf Expression Rating (ML). Multifoliate refers to leaves with greater than 3 leaflets/leaf. The percentage of plants with at least one multifoliate leaflet per plant.

Multifoliate Index (MFI). The density of multileaflets per plant as compared to check varieties. Trifoliolate MFI 1.00=‘Vernal’; Low MFI 1.89=‘Legend’; Moderate MFI 2.55=‘MultiKing I’; and High MFI 3.34=‘Proof’.

Forage Quality was determined using Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy or NIRS. NIRS was conducted according to Shenk, John S. and Mark O. Westerhaus, Forage Analysis by Near Infrared Spectroscopy, In Forages Vol. II 5th ed., Ed. Robert Barnes, Darrell A Miller, C Jerry Nelson published by Iowa State University Press, Ames Iowa (1995).

Milk per Ton=an excellent measure for ranking varieties for forage quality since fiber, not protein, is the first limiting factor in high performance rations. However, sacrificing yield to improve forage quality results in reduced profitability.

Milk per Acre=combines yield and quality into a single term. Milk per acre was calculated using forage quality weighted by yield of each cutting.

Pest Resistance Ratings—S=Susceptible with 0-5% resistant plants; LR=Low Resistance with 6-14% resistant plants; MR=Moderate Resistance with 15-30% resistant plants; R=Resistance with 31-50% resistant plants; and HR=High Resistance with greater than 50% resistant plants.

Yield=Forage Dry Matter tons/acre.

CP=Crude Protein.

ADF=Acid Detergent Fiber.

NDF=Neutral Detergent Fiber.

ADL=Acid Detergent Lignin.

NDFD=Neutral Detergent Fiber Digestibility.

RFQ=Relative Forage Quality.

Recovery After Spring Green-up or After Harvest (REC). Recovery after spring green-up or after harvest is the rate of re-growth after spring green-up or after harvest as determined by measuring plant height at varying intervals and then comparing growth with check varieties. Slow Recovery after spring green-up or after harvest=‘Vernal’; Moderate Recovery after spring green-up or after harvest=‘WinterGold’ and ‘Hybri-Force 400’, Fast Recovery after spring green-up or after harvest=‘CW 75046’ and ‘CW 95026’ and Very Fast Recovery after spring green-up or after harvest=‘CW 83201’ and ‘CW 85029’.

Standability Rating (STD). Standability of plants as determined by measuring the percent of stems standing >45° through late (i.e., 75%) bloom stage, wherein 9=high standability and 0=no standability. Rates are in relationship to standability of check varieties. No Standability 0=‘WL325HQ’ and ‘WL319HQ’; Low Standability 3=‘CW 83021’ and ‘CW 85029’; Moderate Standability 5=‘CW 75046’ and ‘CW 95026’ (or ‘Mercedes’); and High Standability (8)=‘CW 14032’ and ‘CW 15033’ (or ‘Europe’).

As used herein, the “Standability Rating” of a plant is based on the average erectness of its stems through late (i.e., 75%) bloom. The actual Standability Rating of a particular plant is determined according to the following scale:

0=0 to 10% of stems are erect, 90 to 100% of stems are lodged.

1=11 to 20% of stems are erect, 80 to 89% of stems are lodged.

2=21 to 30% of stems are erect, 70 to 79% of stems are lodged.

3=31 to 40% of stems are erect, 60 to 69% of stems are lodged.

4=41 to 50% of stems are erect, 50 to 59% of stems are lodged.

5=51 to 60% of stems are erect, 40 to 49% of stems are lodged.

6=61 to 70% of stems are erect, 30 to 39% of stems are lodged.

7=71 to 80% of stems are erect, 20 to 29% of stems are lodged.

8=81 to 90% of stems are erect, 10 to 19% of stems are lodged.

9=91 to 100% of stems are erect, 0 to 9% of stems are lodged.

The following commercial alfalfa varieties are adapted for alfalfa production in North America and are appropriate as commercial checks for evaluating the standability and fast recovery of newly developed alfalfa varieties: ‘WinterGold’, ‘WL325HQ’, ‘WL319HQ’ and/or ‘HybriForce 400’ (sometimes designated as ‘Hybri-Force 400’).

EXAMPLES

Example 1

Alfalfa Varieties with Fast Recovery After Spring Green-Up or After Harvest

Recovery after spring green-up or after harvest refers to the rate of regrowth after spring green-up or after harvest. This is determined by measuring plant height at varying intervals and then comparing growth with check varieties. In particular, after approximately 3-7 days the average height, to the nearest centimeter, of the plant canopy was measured. The measurement was repeated every few days through 21 days after the last cutting date.

The average height measurement was then converted to growth rate (cm/day) by dividing plant canopy height (cm) by the number of days since the last cutting. The average growth rate (cm/day) was then converted to a % of a comparison variety by dividing test variety growth rate by the comparison variety growth rate (cm/day) and then multiplying by 100.

TABLE 1


The recovery of alfalfa varieties ‘CW 75046’, ‘CW 83201’,
and ‘CW 85029’ as compared to check variety ‘WinterGold’ when
grown at the same time in the same location.
E99WIWS - Spring Forage Yield Trial at West Salem, WI.
	Crops 2, 3, 4,
	average cm/day up to
Variety	21 days post harvest.	% of check WinterGold

CW 75046	2.37	108
CW 83021	2.76	126
CW 85029	2.80	127
WinterGold	2.19	100

TABLE 2


The recovery of alfalfa variety ‘CW 95026’ as compared to
check variety ‘WL325HQ’ when grown at the same time in the same
location. A00WIWS - Spring Forage Yield Trial at West Salem, WI.
		Crops 2, 3, 4,
		average cm/day up to
	Variety	21 days post harvest.	% of check WL325HQ

	CW 95026	2.56	131
	WL325HQ	2.01	100

TABLE 3


The recovery of alfalfa varieties ‘CW 75046’, ‘CW 83201’,
‘CW 85029’, and ‘CW 95026’ compared to check varieties ‘Vernal’,
‘WinterGold’ and ‘WL 325HQ’ when grown at the same time
in the same location. A01WIWS - Spring Forage Yield Trial at
West Salem, WI.
	Crops 2, 3, 4,
	average cm/day up to
Variety	21 days post harvest.	% of check WinterGold

CW 75046	2.29	108
CW 83021	2.69	127
CW 85029	2.76	130
CW 95026	2.56	120
Vernal	1.55	73
WinterGold	2.12	100
WL 325HQ	2.08	98

TABLE 4


The recovery of alfalfa varieties ‘CW 75046’, ‘CW 83201’,
‘CW 85029’, and ‘CW 95026’ compared to check varieties
‘Daisy’, ‘Diane’, ‘Europe’, ‘Marshall’, ‘Mercedes’, ‘Vernal’,
‘WinterGold’, and ‘WL 325HQ’ when grown at the same time
in the same location.
E01WIWS - Spring Forage Yield Trial at West Salem, WI.
		Crops 2, 3, average
		cm/day up to 21
	Variety	days post harvest.	% of check WinterGold

	CW 75046	1.94	112
	CW 83021	2.23	129
	CW 85029	2.31	134
	CW 95026	1.92	111
	Daisy	1.44	083
	Diane	1.57	091
	Europe	1.52	088
	Marshall	1.48	085
	Mercedes	1.52	088
	Vernal	1.32	076
	WinterGold	1.73	100
	WL 325HQ	1.72	100

TABLE 5


The recovery of alfalfa varieties ‘CW 83201’ and ‘CW 95026’
compared to check varieties ‘Evergreen’, ‘HybriForce 400’,
‘Vernal’, ‘WinterGold’, and ‘WL 325HQ’ when grown at the
same time in the same location. T01WIWS - Spring Forage
Yield Trial at West Salem, WI.
	Crops 2, 3, average
	cm/day up to 21
Variety	days post harvest.	% of check WinterGold

CW 83021	2.61	137
CW 95026	2.35	123
Evergreen	1.92	100
HybriForce 400	1.87	098
Vernal	1.49	078
WinterGold	1.91	100
WL 325HQ	1.88	099

TABLE 6a


Spring Forage Yield Trial at West Salem. WI A01WIWS.
	Cut Date:
	April 10			May 27				June 30
	Measured
	Date:
	April 29	May 7	May 12	June 4	June 9	June 16	June 20	July 15
	# days		CW
	19	27	32	8	13	20	24	15	Ave.	85029 %
Entry	cm/day	cm/day	cm/day	cm/day	cm/day	cm/day	cm/day	cm/day	cm/day	Faster

CW 85029	0.96	1.38	1.45	1.72	1.90	2.59	2.66	2.98	1.95	0.00
CW 83021	0.95	1.38	1.41	1.72	1.83	2.58	2.71	2.98	1.94	0.58
5 Star	0.91	1.27	1.33	1.41	1.79	2.36	2.49	2.73	1.79	9.45
WL 342	0.87	1.17	1.23	1.25	1.44	2.06	2.36	2.53	1.62	20.99
CW 95026	0.83	1.19	1.33	0.94	1.63	2.15	2.30	2.40	1.60	22.38
CW 75046	0.86	1.24	1.33	1.09	1.46	2.21	2.30	2.18	1.58	23.33
Geneva	0.83	1.15	1.24	1.09	1.38	2.03	2.34	2.50	1.57	24.42
Mountaineer	0.83	1.10	1.20	1.09	1.31	1.98	2.25	2.43	1.52	28.22
GH700	0.82	1.15	1.24	0.78	1.29	2.14	2.28	2.38	1.51	29.45
Ascend	0.78	1.16	1.24	0.63	1.31	2.04	2.25	2.48	1.48	31.62
CW 05008	0.92	1.24	1.38	0.63	1.25	2.05	2.16	2.02	1.45	34.38
Multiplier 3	0.71	1.06	1.12	0.78	1.21	2.08	2.17	2.42	1.44	35.55
Magnum V	0.83	1.15	1.27	0.47	1.21	1.99	2.32	2.15	1.42	37.26
WL 325HQ	0.79	1.06	1.16	0.63	1.19	1.96	2.21	2.20	1.40	39.62
512	0.78	1.06	1.18	0.31	1.23	2.03	2.31	2.20	1.39	40.84
WinterGold	0.71	1.06	1.10	0.63	1.21	1.93	2.08	2.23	1.37	42.72
54V54	0.78	1.06	1.21	0.31	1.15	1.84	2.13	2.23	1.34	46.05
Radiant	0.68	1.03	1.09	0.63	1.10	1.96	2.14	2.00	1.33	47.27
A4230	0.64	0.98	1.07	0.63	1.08	1.83	2.13	2.10	1.31	49.64
FQ 315	0.70	0.99	1.14	0.47	1.02	1.95	2.14	2.00	1.30	50.31
CW 04007	0.76	1.05	1.24	0.31	1.12	1.84	2.07	2.00	1.30	50.48
Magnum IV	0.74	1.03	1.15	0.31	1.13	1.84	2.10	2.05	1.29	51.04
Perfect	0.67	1.06	1.15	0.47	1.15	1.76	1.95	2.00	1.28	53.03
5312	0.72	1.09	1.15	0.16	0.98	1.81	2.06	2.13	1.26	54.65
9429	0.66	1.03	1.10	0.31	0.96	1.71	2.11	2.02	1.24	57.85
DK 142	0.68	0.95	1.09	0.47	0.85	1.91	2.04	1.85	1.23	58.72
54H69 (C)	0.64	0.99	1.15	0.16	0.98	1.88	1.98	1.98	1.22	60.22
BigHorn	0.63	0.97	1.04	0.47	0.98	1.58	1.95	1.93	1.19	63.74
FQ 314	0.68	0.94	1.06	0.16	0.94	1.73	2.08	1.85	1.18	65.49
Ameristand	0.61	0.94	1.09	0.16	0.98	1.76	2.04	1.87	1.18	65.57
403T
EverGreen	0.62	0.99	1.03	0.31	0.87	1.68	2.02	1.82	1.17	67.56%
(C)
TMF 421	0.58	0.84	0.95	0.47	0.81	1.54	1.96	1.90	1.13	72.97
Vernal	0.55	0.80	0.93	0.00	0.87	1.49	1.96	1.50	1.01	93.27
Mean	0.76	1.09	1.19	0.74	1.23	1.97	2.20	2.23	1.43	40.44
LSD (0.05)	0.10	0.10	0.10	0.39	0.20	0.21	0.28	0.25	0.12
C.V. (%)	9.22	6.52	5.71	37.01	11.68	7.67	9.04	8.01	6.18
R2	0.79	0.84	0.83	0.80	0.82	0.79	0.53	0.83	0.90

TABLE 6b


Spring Forage Yield Trial at West Salem, WI. A02WIWS.
	Cut Date:
	April 10:			May 27				June 30
	Greenup			Cut 1				Cut 2
	Measured
	Date:
	April 29	May 7	May 12	June 4	June 9	June 16	June 20	July 14
	# Days		CW
	15	23	28	8	13	20	24	14	Ave.	85029 %
Entry	cm/day	cm/day	cm/day	cm/day	cm/day	cm/day	cm/day	cm/day	cm/day	Faster

CW 85029	1.33	1.62	1.61	1.72	1.77	2.51	2.65	2.59	1.97	0.00
CW 15030	1.42	1.62	1.63	1.72	1.65	2.34	2.43	2.50	1.91	3.19
CW 83021	1.35	1.59	1.60	1.56	1.62	2.40	2.51	2.18	1.85	6.71
CW 15041	1.30	1.61	1.58	1.25	1.48	2.26	2.35	2.23	1.76	12.28
CW 15031	1.32	1.53	1.53	1.09	1.56	2.08	2.29	2.38	1.72	14.72
CW 15008	1.37	1.63	1.63	1.25	1.52	2.05	2.13	2.11	1.71	15.52
CW 15040	1.33	1.59	1.58	0.78	1.52	2.15	2.33	2.38	1.71	15.64
CW 15033	1.32	1.51	1.52	0.78	1.46	2.10	2.26	2.07	1.63	21.32
CW 95026	1.23	1.46	1.45	0.94	1.25	2.05	2.31	2.32	1.63	21.43
DK A42-15	1.18	1.43	1.46	1.09	1.40	1.99	2.15	2.20	1.61	22.44
Ascend	1.18	1.45	1.51	0.94	1.35	1.98	2.14	2.13	1.58	24.80
Geneva	1.22	1.40	1.35	0.94	1.19	2.05	2.21	1.93	1.54	28.59
CW 75046	1.23	1.53	1.48	0.63	1.29	1.98	2.19	1.75	1.51	30.82
CW 14032	1.17	1.45	1.46	0.63	1.21	2.01	2.14	2.02	1.51	30.87
Setter	1.05	1.36	1.41	0.63	1.21	1.88	2.20	2.25	1.50	31.86
CW 15009	1.20	1.50	1.48	0.63	1.29	1.86	2.14	1.79	1.48	32.97
CW 10090	1.13	1.42	1.40	0.63	1.19	1.93	2.15	1.84	1.46	35.16
Prairie Max	1.13	1.39	1.38	0.63	1.23	1.88	2.04	1.95	1.45	35.95
Sommerset	1.15	1.36	1.39	0.63	1.19	1.85	2.08	1.88	1.44	37.03
CW 64010	1.05	1.34	1.35	0.63	1.21	1.80	2.08	2.04	1.44	37.46
54V54	1.10	1.33	1.36	0.47	1.15	1.90	2.01	2.07	1.42	38.71
CW 10089	1.07	1.37	1.39	0.63	1.19	1.94	2.05	1.70	1.42	39.38
Europe	1.07	1.38	1.43	0.63	1.17	1.85	2.10	1.64	1.41	40.15
WL 319HQ	1.02	1.34	1.38	0.78	1.08	1.75	1.96	1.95	1.41	40.40
Magnum	1.22	1.39	1.43	0.31	1.23	1.78	1.93	1.96	1.41	40.45
IV
Supreme	1.02	1.36	1.33	0.63	1.10	1.73	1.95	1.77	1.36	45.35
CW 72009	1.02	1.27	1.26	0.63	1.13	1.84	1.93	1.79	1.36	45.48
HybriForce-	1.18	1.37	1.39	0.31	1.12	1.81	1.92	1.70	1.35	46.27
400
Ameristand	0.90	1.14	1.16	0.00	0.94	1.53	1.72	1.64	1.13	74.91
403T
Vernal	0.92	1.13	1.26	0.00	0.81	1.48	1.66	1.18	1.05	87.52
	1.11	1.39	1.40	0.79	1.26	1.90	2.08	1.97	1.49	36.18
	0.13	0.12	0.11	0.34	0.22	0.19	0.18	0.31	0.11
	8.21	6.10	5.70	30.67	12.20	7.20	6.01	11.22	5.29
	0.82	0.83	0.80	0.82	0.76	0.80	0.79	0.72	0.92

Example 2

Alfalfa Varieties with Improved Standability

The following tables provide data demonstrating the improved standability of alfalfa varieties adapted to growing and production in North America. See the Definitions section, above, for the scale used in determining the Standability Ratings. Statistics (e.g., Grand Mean, LSD, C.V., R2) are based on the data collected for an entire trial.

TABLE 7a


The standability of alfalfa varieties ‘CW 95026’, ‘CW 75046’,
‘CW 83201’, and ‘CW 85029’ as compared to commercially available
check varieties all grown at the same time in the same location.
A01WIWS - Spring Forage Yield Trial at West Salem, WI.
	Date Last Cut/Spring Greenup
	May 21	June 24	August 28
	# days growing
	34	30	47
	Date Rated	All Cuttings
	June 24	July 24	October 14	Ave. = 37
Entry	Standability Ratings

CW 05008	8.00	8.00	8.25	8.08
CW 04007	7.50	7.50	8.50	7.83
CW 95026	8.50	7.00	6.50	7.33
CW 75046	7.50	6.50	6.50	6.83
WinterGold	5.00	6.00	4.75	5.25
CW 83021	7.50	3.50	3.50	4.83
CW 85029	7.00	4.50	3.00	4.83
WL 342	5.50	4.00	4.50	4.67
Ameristand 403T	5.00	5.00	4.00	4.67
Mountaineer	5.00	4.00	4.75	4.58
54V54	5.50	4.00	4.00	4.50
54H69 (C)	4.00	3.50	5.00	4.17
WL 325HQ	5.00	4.00	3.00	4.00
Magnum IV	4.00	3.50	4.50	4.00
5 Star	5.00	1.50	4.25	3.58
Vernal	4.50	3.00	3.00	3.50
Magnum V	4.00	2.00	3.75	3.25
Multiplier 3	4.00	1.50	3.25	2.92
Geneva	4.00	2.00	2.75	2.92
Grand Mean	5.03	3.84	4.56	4.48
LSD (0.05)	2.09	3.08	1.29	1.59
C.V. (%)	29.40	56.70	20.02	25.13
R2	0.45	0.44	0.68	0.58

TABLE 7b


The standability of alfalfa varieties ‘CW 95026’, ‘CW 75046’,
‘CW 83201’, and ‘CW 85029’ as compared to commercially available
check varieties all grown at the same time in the same location.
A02WIWS - Spring Forage Yield Trial at West Salem, WI.
		Date Last Cut/Spring Greenup
		August 2
		# days growing
		32
		Date Rated
		Sep. 3, 2002
	Entry	Standability Ratings

	CW 14032	8.00
	CW 15009	8.00
	Europe	7.50
	CW 10090	6.75
	CW 15033	6.25
	CW 95026	6.25
	CW 10089	5.00
	CW 15041	4.75
	CW 75046	4.75
	CW 15030	4.25
	Ascend	4.00
	CW 85029	3.75
	CW 15040	3.25
	CW 83021	3.25
	CW 14010	3.25
	CW 15008	3.00
	HybriForce-400	2.50
	Magnum IV	1.75
	Sommerset	1.50
	Geneva	1.50
	Ameristand 403T	1.50
	54V54	1.25
	DK A42-15	1.00
	WL 319HQ	1.00
	Vernal	1.00
	Grand Mean	2.48
	LSD (0.05)	1.28
	C.V. (%)	36.36
	R2	0.85

TABLE 7c


The standability of alfalfa varieties ‘CW 95026’, ‘CW 75046’,
‘CW 83201’, and ‘CW 85029’ as compared to commercially
available check varieties all grown at the same time in the same
location. E99WIWS - Spring Forage Yield Trial at West Salem, WI.
		Date Last Cut/Spring Greenup
		April 1
		# days growing
		53
		Date Rated
		May 24
	Entry	Standability Ratings

	Europe	8.50
	CW 75046	6.50
	CW 75047	6.50
	Mercedes	6.00
	CW 54040 = WinterGold	3.00
	CW 85029	3.00
	CW 83021	2.50
	Grand Mean	4.25
	LSD (0.05)	1.31
	C.V. (%)	21.73
	R2	0.82

TABLE 7d


The standability of alfalfa varieties ‘CW 95026’, ‘CW 75046’, ‘CW 83201’, and
‘CW 85029’ as compared to commercially available check varieties all grown at the same
time in the same location. E01WIWS - Spring Forage Yield Trial at West Salem WI.
	Date Last Cut/Spring greenup
	August 6	June 6	July 7	July 7	August 27	Average
	Year 1	Year 2	Year 2	Year 2	Year 2	Year 2
	# days
	growing
	35	33	41	48	48	43
	Date Rated
	September 10	July 9	August 20	August 27	October 14
Entry	Standability Ratings

Europe	8.50	7.00	8.50	8.50	9.00	8.25
CW 04007	8.00	7.50	8.50	8.00	8.75	8.19
CW 05008	7.50	6.50	7.50	8.50	8.75	7.81
Marshall	5.50	6.50	8.00	7.50	7.75	7.44
Aubigny	6.00	6.00	7.50	7.00	8.00	7.12
Diane	5.50	6.50	7.50	6.50	7.50	7.00
Daisy	6.50	6.50	7.00	7.50	6.75	6.94
Mercedes	6.00	5.00	6.50	8.00	7.50	6.75
CW 95026	6.50	6.50	7.50	5.50	7.00	6.62
CW 74000	6.50	6.00	6.50	6.50	7.50	6.62
CW 95127	5.00	6.50	5.00	6.50	6.75	6.19
CW 95125	4.50	6.00	6.00	5.50	6.00	5.88
CW 75047	4.50	5.50	6.00	5.50	6.25	5.81
CW 75046	5.00	3.50	6.50	5.00	6.25	5.31
CW 95126	5.50	6.50	5.00	3.50	5.75	5.19
CW 95124	5.00	6.00	4.50	4.50	5.75	5.19
CW 95123	5.00	5.00	4.50	4.50	5.75	4.94
CW 83021	5.00	4.00	4.50	2.50	4.00	3.75
CW 85029	4.00	3.50	4.00	2.50	3.25	3.31
Vernal	2.50	3.50	5.00	3.00	1.50	3.25
WinterGold	2.50	3.00	3.00	2.50	4.00	3.13
WL 325HQ	0.50	4.00	2.50	1.50	2.75	2.69
CW 92012	0.50	3.00	1.00	0.50	1.00	1.38
Grand Mean	4.96	5.42	5.69	5.15	5.91	5.55
LSD (0.05)	1.10	1.99	1.49	1.45	1.13	0.84
C.V. (%)	15.73	26.01	18.54	19.88	13.56	10.67
R2	0.90	0.58	0.82	0.87	0.91	0.93

TABLE 7e


Spring Forage Yield Trial at West Salem,. WI E01WIWS - Standability Notes.
	Date Last Cut/Spring greenup
	August 6	June 6	July 10	July 10	August 27		April 14	June 9
	Year 1	Year 2	Year 2	Year 2	Year 2		Year 3	Year 3
	# days
	growing
	35	33	41	48	48	43	56	35	46
	Date Rated
	Sep. 19	July 9	August 20	August 27	October 14	Year 2	June 9	July 14	Year 3	Years 1-3
						Ave.			Ave.	Ave.
Entry	Standability

Europe	8.50	7.00	8.50	8.50	9.00	8.25	8.75	8.50	8.63	8.46
CW 04007	8.00	7.50	8.50	8.00	8.75	8.19	9.00	5.75	7.38	7.85
CW 05008	7.50	6.50	7.50	8.50	8.75	7.81	8.75	6.00	7.38	7.56
Daisy	6.50	6.50	7.00	7.50	6.75	6.94	8.75	6.50	7.63	7.02
Marshal	5.50	6.50	8.00	7.50	7.75	7.44	8.75	7.00	7.88	6.94
Aubigny	6.00	6.00	7.50	7.00	8.00	7.12	9.00	6.00	7.50	6.87
CW 74000	6.50	6.00	6.50	6.50	7.50	6.62	9.00	5.50	7.25	6.79
Mercedes	6.00	5.00	6.50	8.00	7.50	6.75	8.75	5.75	7.25	6.67
CW 95027	6.50	6.50	7.50	5.00	7.00	6.50	8.25	5.50	6.88	6.63
Diane	5.50	6.50	7.50	6.50	7.50	7.00	8.75	6.00	7.38	6.62
CW 95026	6.50	6.50	7.50	5.50	7.00	6.62	8.25	4.50	6.38	6.50
CW 95127	5.00	6.50	5.00	6.50	6.75	6.19	7.75	3.25	5.50	5.56
CW 95125	4.50	6.00	6.00	5.50	6.00	5.88	7.75	2.75	5.25	5.21
CW 75047	4.50	5.50	6.00	5.50	6.25	5.81	7.50	2.25	4.88	5.06
CW 95126	5.50	6.50	5.00	3.50	5.75	5.19	6.75	2.00	4.38	5.02
CW 95123	5.00	5.00	4.50	4.50	5.75	4.94	7.75	2.25	5.00	4.98
CW 75046	5.00	3.50	6.50	5.00	6.25	5.31	7.00	2.25	4.63	4.98
CW 95124	5.00	6.00	4.50	4.50	5.75	5.19	6.75	2.25	4.50	4.90
CW 85047	4.50	5.00	4.00	3.50	5.25	4.44	7.75	3.00	5.38	4.77
CW 83021	5.00	4.00	4.50	2.50	4.00	3.75	7.00	2.00	4.50	4.42
CW 85029	4.00	3.50	4.00	2.50	3.25	3.31	6.75	1.75	4.25	3.85
Vernal	2.50	3.50	5.00	3.00	1.50	3.25	7.75	3.25	5.50	3.75
CW 64010	2.00	5.50	4.00	4.50	4.00	4.50	7.00	2.25	4.63	3.71
WinterGold	2.50	3.00	3.00	2.50	4.00	3.13	7.75	2.00	4.88	3.50
WL 325HQ	0.50	4.00	2.50	1.50	2.75	2.69	5.25	1.50	3.38	2.19
CW 92012	0.50	3.00	1.00	0.50	1.00	1.38	5.50	1.25	3.38	1.75
Grand Mean	4.96	5.42	5.69	5.15	5.91	5.55	7.77	3.88	5.83	5.44
LSD (0.05)	1.10	1.99	1.49	1.45	1.13	0.84	1.07	1.42	0.94	0.61
C.V. (%)	15.73	26.01	18.54	19.88	13.56	10.67	9.71	25.86	11.43	7.95
R2	0.90	0.58	0.82	0.87	0.91	0.93	0.72	0.86	0.87	0.95

TABLE 7f


Spring Forage Yield Trial at Atlanta, IN.
A03INAT - Standability Notes.
Last Cut: July 9
Measured: August 12
# days: 34
Entry	Rep. 1	Rep. 2	Rep. 3	Standability

CW 14032	8.0	9.0	8.0	8.33
CW 25039	8.0	9.0	4.0	7.00
CW 95026	6.0	5.0	3.0	4.67
CW 04023	4.0	5.0	3.0	4.00
CW 15030	3.0	6.0	3.0	4.00
CW 75046	5.0	4.0	3.0	4.00
CW 15033	3.0	4.0	4.0	3.67
CW 85029	3.0	4.0	4.0	3.67
CW 83021	5.0	3.0	1.0	3.00
WinterGold	5.0	3.0	1.0	3.00
Ameristand 403T	1.0	4.0	3.0	2.67
CW 25038	3.0	4.0	1.0	2.67
TMF 421	5.0	1.0	1.0	2.33
CW 24044	2.0	3.0	1.0	2.00
Vernal	4.0	1.0	1.0	2.00
HybriForce-400	2.0	2.0	1.0	1.67
54V46	2.0	1.0	1.0	1.33
HybriForce-420 Wet	2.0	1.0	1.0	1.33
WL 319HQ	2.0	1.0	1.0	1.33
Grand Mean				3.08
LSD (0.05)				2.13
C.V. (%)				42.48
R2				0.74

TABLE 7g


Spring Forage Yield Trial at West Salem, WI. Q02WIWS
Early Bloom 4c.
Standability Notes.
Last Cut: August 15
Measured: September 18
# days: 34
Entry	Rep. 1	Rep. 2	Rep. 3	Standability

Europe	8	8	9	8.33
CW 95026	6	4	9	6.33
CW 75046	7	4	6	5.67
CW 85029	5	4	4	4.33
CW 83021	5	4	3	4.00
HybriForce-400	5	4	3	4.00
Vernal	2	3	2	2.33
WL 319HQ	3	3	1	2.33
Grand Mean				4.25
LSD (0.05)				1.76
C.V. (%)				25.41
R2				0.70

Example 3

Development of New Alfalfa Varieties

Alfalfa Variety ‘CW 75046’

‘CW 75046’ is a high yielding, persistent variety with improved standability and fast recovery after spring green-up or after harvest with no observed soil type or management limitations. ‘CW 75046’ is a synthetic variety with 225 parent plants that were selected for resistance to Phytophthora root rot. Parent plants were selected from crosses between selections from two year old Wisconsin nurseries for winter survival, leaf disease resistance, healthy green color, fast recovery after spring green-up or after harvest, and high standability; and from crosses between the nursery selections and selections from three year old Wisconsin and Minnesota yield trials for moderate to late fall dormancy, good agronomic appearance, fast recovery, high leaf to stem ratio, and resistance to crown rot, Bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt, and Verticillium wilt.

Alfalfa variety ‘CW 75046’ was developed by the following method:

In the initial step, 1,382 French lines (half-sib families or populations) were seeded into the field at West Salem, Wis. The resulting plants were selected after two years for winter hardiness, leaf disease resistance, high leaf to stem ratio, fast recovery after spring green-up or after harvest (rate of regrowth after harvest), high standability (>90% of stems were upright at 50% flowering or late bloom), and high yield potential. The initial French lines were derived by phenotypic recurrent selection for vigor, height, agronomic appearance, high standability and resistance to Verticillium wilt.

In step 2, ‘CW 3408’ (‘Gold Plus’) and ‘CW 3512’ (‘512’) were seeded (17 lbs/acre) into the field at Owatonna, Minn.; Manitowoc, Wis.; and West Salem, Wis. The resulting plants were selected after three years for moderate to late fall dormancy, good agronomic appearance, fast recovery, high leaf to stem ratio, multifoliolate leaf expression, and resistance to crown rot, Bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt, and Verticillium wilt. ‘Gold Plus’ is a synthetic variety with 165 parent plants that were sequentially selected for multifoliate leaf expression and for resistance to Phytophthora root rot and Aphanomyces root rot (race 1). Parent plants were selected from a polycross among moderate fall dormant selections from three year-old Wisconsin yield trials. ‘512’ is a synthetic variety with 180 parent plants which were sequentially selected for multifoliate leaf expression and for resistance to Phytophthora root rot and Aphanomyces root rot (race 1). Parent plants were selected from a polycross among late fall dormant selections from three year-old Pennsylvania yield trials.

In step 3, 77 of the highest standability plants from Step 1 were poly crossed (97-033).

In step 4, 34 of the most persistent Gold Plus plants from Step 2 were crossed as males (97-034) to the 77 French plants from Step 1.

In step 5, 34 of the most persistent 512 plants from Step 2 were crossed as males (97-035) to the 77 French plants from Step 1.

In step 6, a large number of seeds (2,800) resulting from cross 97-033 were planted and selected for resistance to Aphanomyces root rot and Phytophthora root rot.

In step 7, a large number of seeds (2,400) resulting from cross 97-034 were planted and selected for resistance to Phytophthora root rot.

In step 8, a large number of seeds (2,400) resulting from cross 97-035 were planted and selected for resistance to Phytophthora root rot.

In step 9, 225 of the most Phytophthora root rot resistant plants from Step 6 (15 plants), Step 7 (105 plants), and Step 8 (105 plants) were transplanted together under cage isolation. All 225 plants were crossed with one another in Step 9 using leafcutter bees, and Breeder seed (Synthetic Generation 1, or “Syn 1”) was bulked from all seed from all 225 plants.

Breeder seed was produced under cage isolation near Woodland, Calif. Seed was bulk harvested from all parent plants.

Breeder seed (Syn.1) was produced under cage isolation near Woodland, Calif. Cal/West Seeds will maintain sufficient foundation seed (Syn.2 or Syn.3) for the projected life of the variety. Production of Syn.3 foundation seed requires consent of the breeder.

The above method produced alfalfa variety ‘CW 75046’. The primary uses of plants of the ‘CW 75046’ variety are for hay, haylage, greenchop, and dehydration. ‘CW 75046’ is adapted to the North Central, East Central, and Great Plains areas of the U.S. and is intended for use in the North Central, East Central, Great Plains, and moderately winter-hardy intermountain areas of the U.S. and in Canada. ‘CW 75046’ has been tested in California, Iowa, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

‘CW 75046’ is a late dormant variety with fall dormancy similar to FD class 5 check varieties. Flower color observed in the Syn.2 generation is greater than 99% purple, with a trace of variegated, white, cream, and yellow. Flower color at fall bloom for Syn. 2 generation is: 99% Purple; 1% Variegated; Trace % Cream; Trace % Yellow; Trace % White (See USDA Agriculture Handbook No. 424—A System for Visually Classifying Alfalfa Flower Color.).

TABLE 8


Selected characteristics of alfalfa variety ‘CW 75046’
Trait	Rating or Description

Fall Dormancy Rating	5
Winter Survival Rating	2
Recovery after Harvest Rating	9% faster or 2.20 cm/day when
	compared to check variety
	WinterGold at 1.99 cm/day
Standability Rating	5.31
Multifoliolate Leaf Expression	84%
Rating
Multifoliolate Index	2.57 when compared to check variety
	Proof at 3.35
Field Appearance	At the bud stage, plants will be tall with
	an upright growth habit and the canopy
	will appear full and leafy

TABLE 9


Yield Performance of ‘CW 75046’.
					Mean
					Yield of
				Total Yield of	Trial
	Date	Relative	Harvest	CW 75046	(Tons/
Location	Seeded	Year	Years	(Tons/Acre)	Acre)

West Salem, WI	May 12	Year 1	3	17.86	13.87
West Salem, WI	May 10	Year 2	4	26.72	24.83
Manitowoc, WI	April 30	Year 3	2	7.81	8.26
Rock Springs, PA	April 1	Year 3	2	12.18	11.66
West Salem, WI	April 26	Year 3	2	11.25	11.38
West Salem, WI	April 26	Year 3	2	10.19	9.84
West Salem, WI	April 17	Year 4	1	3.92	4.02
Lennox, SD	April 18	Year 4	1	2.41	2.38
Mead, NE	May 10	Year 2	2	16.49	16.22
Totals			19	108.83	102.46

TABLE 10a


Forage Quality of ‘CW 75046’. A01WIWS - Spring Forage Yield Trial at West
Salem, WI.
	Total
	Yield						Relative
	DM						Forage
	tons/						Quality	Milk	Milk
Entry	acre	CP	ADF	NDF	ADL	NDFD	(RFQ)	lbs/Ton	lbs/Acre

CW 75046	5.56	22.