U.S. patent application number 10/698424 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-13 for alfalfa plants having improved standability and/or fast recovery after harvest and methods for producing same.
Invention is credited to Darling, Mark E., Johnson, David W., Miller, Douglas K., Reich, Jonathan M..
Application Number | 20040093648 10/698424 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32469253 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040093648 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johnson, David W. ; et
al. |
May 13, 2004 |
Alfalfa plants having improved standability and/or fast recovery
after harvest and methods for producing same
Abstract
The invention provides alfalfa plants having improved
standability and/or fast recovery after spring green-up or after
harvest and methods for producing such plants. Such alfalfa plants
provide increased annual yield of high quality forage.
Inventors: |
Johnson, David W.; (West
Salem, WI) ; Darling, Mark E.; (Woodland, CA)
; Miller, Douglas K.; (West Salem, WI) ; Reich,
Jonathan M.; (Woodland, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MORGAN LEWIS & BOCKIUS LLP
1111 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20004
US
|
Family ID: |
32469253 |
Appl. No.: |
10/698424 |
Filed: |
November 3, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60422857 |
Nov 1, 2002 |
|
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
800/295 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C12N 9/12 20130101; Y02A
40/10 20180101; A01H 5/10 20130101; A01H 6/544 20180501; A01H 5/12
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
800/295 |
International
Class: |
A01H 009/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An alfalfa variety that has on average about 8% 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 selected from the group consisting of `WinterGold`, `WL325HQ`,
`WL319HQ` and `Hybri-Force 400`.
2. The alfalfa variety of claim 1 wherein the alfalfa variety has
on average about 10% or greater faster recovery after spring
green-up or after harvest.
3. The alfalfa variety of claim 1 wherein the alfalfa variety has
on average about 20% or greater faster recovery after spring
green-up or after harvest.
4. The alfalfa variety of claim 1 wherein the alfalfa variety has
on average about 30% or greater faster recovery after spring
green-up or after harvest.
5. An alfalfa variety that has on average about 15% 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 selected from the group
consisting of `WinterGold`, `WL325HQ`, `WL319HQ` and `Hybri-Force
400`.
6. The alfalfa variety of claim 5 wherein the alfalfa variety has
on average about 20% or greater more erect stems.
7. The alfalfa variety of claim 5 wherein the alfalfa variety has
on average about 25% or greater more erect stems.
8. The alfalfa variety of claim 5 wherein the alfalfa variety has
on average about 30% or greater more erect stems.
9. The alfalfa variety of claim 5 wherein the alfalfa variety has
on average about 35% or greater more erect stems.
10. The alfalfa variety of claim 5 wherein the alfalfa variety has
on average about 40% or greater more erect stems.
11. The alfalfa variety of claim 5 wherein the alfalfa variety has
on average about 45% or greater more erect stems.
12. The alfalfa variety of claim 5 wherein the alfalfa variety has
on average about 50% or greater more erect stems.
13. The alfalfa variety of claim 5 wherein the alfalfa variety has
on average about 55% or greater more erect stems.
14. The alfalfa variety of claim 5 wherein the alfalfa variety has
on average about 60% or greater more erect stems.
15. An alfalfa variety with the following characteristics: a) on
average about 8% 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 selected from the group
consisting of `WinterGold`, `WL325HQ`, `WL319HQ` and `Hybri-Force
400`; and b) on average about 15% 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 selected from the group consisting of
`WinterGold`, `WL325HQ`, `WL319HQ` and `Hybri-Force 400`.
16. Seed of the alfalfa variety of claim 1 or claim 5 or
regenerable parts of said seed.
17. Pollen of the alfalfa variety of claim 1 or claim 5.
18. Seed of an alfalfa plant pollinated by the pollen of claim 17
or regenerable parts of said seed.
19. An alfalfa plant produced by the seed of claim 16 or
regenerable parts of said seed.
20. Seed of alfalfa germplasm designated `CW 75046` and having ATCC
Accession No. PTA-5346.
21. Seed of alfalfa germplasm designated `CW 83201` and having ATCC
Accession No. PTA-5347.
22. Seed of alfalfa germplasm designated `CW 85029` and having ATCC
Accession No. PTA-5348.
23. Seed of alfalfa germplasm designated `CW 95026` and having ATCC
Accession No. PTA-5349.
24. A method for producing first-generation synthetic variety
alfalfa seed comprising 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 the alfalfa variety of
claim 1 or claim 5.
25. A tissue culture of regenerable cells, the cells comprising
genetic material from an alfalfa plant of `CW 75046`, wherein the
cells regenerate plants having all the morphological and
physiological characteristics of a plant of `CW 75046`, the seed of
which have been deposited and have ATCC Accession No. PTA-5346.
26. A tissue culture of regenerable cells, the cells comprising
genetic material from an alfalfa plant of `CW 83201`, wherein the
cells regenerate plants having all the morphological and
physiological characteristics of a plant of `CW 83021`, the seed of
which have been deposited and have ATCC Accession No. PTA-5347.
27. A tissue culture of regenerable cells, the cells comprising
genetic material from an alfalfa plant of `CW 85029`, wherein the
cells regenerate plants having all the morphological and
physiological characteristics of a plant of `CW 85029`, the seed of
which have been deposited and have ATCC Accession No. PTA-5348.
28. A tissue culture of regenerable cells, the cells comprising
genetic material from an alfalfa plant of `CW 95026`, wherein the
cells regenerate plants having all the morphological and
physiological characteristics of a plant of `CW 95026`, the seed of
which have been deposited and have ATCC Accession No. PTA-5349.
29. An alfalfa variety 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.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/422,857, filed on Nov. 1, 2002, which is herein
expressly incorporated in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 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
[0003] 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.
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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.sub.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).
[0006] 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.
[0007] 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.
[0008] M. sativa plants are autopolyploid organisms, or more
specifically, autotetraploids. More specifically, M. sativa plants
are polysomic polyploid organisms that display tetrasomic
inheritance patterns.
[0009] 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).
[0010] 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.
[0011] 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.
[0012] 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)).
[0013] 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.
[0014] 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.
[0015] 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.
[0016] 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
[0017] 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.
[0018] 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.
[0019] 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.
[0020] 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.
[0021] 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.
[0022] This invention provides alfalfa varieties with the following
characteristics:
[0023] 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
[0024] 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.
[0025] This invention provides alfalfa varieties with the following
characteristics:
[0026] 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
[0027] 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`.
[0028] 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.
[0029] 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.
[0030] 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.
[0031] 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.
[0032] 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.
[0033] 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.
[0034] 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.
[0035] 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.
[0036] 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.
[0037] 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.
[0038] 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.
[0039] 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.
[0040] 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.
[0041] 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.
[0042] 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.
[0043] 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.
[0044] 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.
[0045] 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.
[0046] Further objects and advantages of the present invention will
be clear from the description that follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0047] 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
[0048] 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.
[0049] Overview of the Invention
[0050] 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.
[0051] 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.
[0052] 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.
[0053] Definitions
[0054] 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.
[0055] 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.degree. or less. Thus, according to this definition, a
plant stem that has an angle with the ground of about 40.degree. or
less, or about 35.degree. or less, or about 30.degree. or less, or
about 25.degree. or less, or about 20.degree. or less, or about
15.degree. or less, or about 10.degree. or less, or about 5.degree.
or less is considered to be lodged.
[0056] As used herein, the term "standability" means an alfalfa
plant's resistance to lodging.
[0057] 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.
[0058] Seed Deposits
[0059] 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:
[0060] Seed of alfalfa germplasm designated `CW 75046` has been
given ATCC No. PTA-5346.
[0061] Seed of alfalfa germplasm designated `CW 83201` has been
given ATCC No. PTA-5347.
[0062] Seed of alfalfa germplasm designated `CW 85029` has been
given ATCC No. PTA-5348.
[0063] Seed of alfalfa germplasm designated `CW 95026` has been
given ATCC No. PTA-5349.
[0064] Trait Determinations
[0065] 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.
[0066] 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`.
[0067] 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`.
[0068] 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.
[0069] 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`.
[0070] 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).
[0071] 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.
[0072] 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.
[0073] 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.
[0074] Yield=Forage Dry Matter tons/acre.
[0075] CP=Crude Protein.
[0076] ADF=Acid Detergent Fiber.
[0077] NDF=Neutral Detergent Fiber.
[0078] ADL=Acid Detergent Lignin.
[0079] NDFD=Neutral Detergent Fiber Digestibility.
[0080] RFQ=Relative Forage Quality.
[0081] 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`.
[0082] Standability Rating (STD). Standability of plants as
determined by measuring the percent of stems standing
>45.degree. 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`).
[0083] 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:
[0084] 0=0 to 10% of stems are erect, 90 to 100% of stems are
lodged.
[0085] 1=11 to 20% of stems are erect, 80 to 89% of stems are
lodged.
[0086] 2=21 to 30% of stems are erect, 70 to 79% of stems are
lodged.
[0087] 3=31 to 40% of stems are erect, 60 to 69% of stems are
lodged.
[0088] 4=41 to 50% of stems are erect, 50 to 59% of stems are
lodged.
[0089] 5=51 to 60% of stems are erect, 40 to 49% of stems are
lodged.
[0090] 6=61 to 70% of stems are erect, 30 to 39% of stems are
lodged.
[0091] 7=71 to 80% of stems are erect, 20 to 29% of stems are
lodged.
[0092] 8=81 to 90% of stems are erect, 10 to 19% of stems are
lodged.
[0093] 9=91 to 100% of stems are erect, 0 to 9% of stems are
lodged.
[0094] 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
[0095] Alfalfa Varieties with Fast Recovery After Spring Green-up
or After Harvest
[0096] 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.
[0097] 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.
1TABLE 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
% of check Variety 21 days post harvest. WinterGold CW 75046 2.37
108 CW 83021 2.76 126 CW 85029 2.80 127 WinterGold 2.19 100
[0098]
2TABLE 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 % of check Variety 21 days post
harvest. WL325HQ CW 95026 2.56 131 WL325HQ 2.01 100
[0099]
3TABLE 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 % of check Variety 21 days post
harvest. 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
[0100]
4TABLE 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
[0101]
5TABLE 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 % of check Variety
days post harvest. 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
[0102]
6TABLE 6a Spring Forage Yield Trial at West Salem. WI A01WIWS. Cut
Date: April 10 May 27 June 30 CW Measured April May May June June
June June July 85029 Date: 29 7 12 4 9 16 20 15 % # days 19 27 32 8
13 20 24 15 Ave. Faster Entry cm/day cm/day cm/day cm/day cm/day
cm/day cm/day cm/day cm/day 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
[0103]
7TABLE 6b Spring Forage Yield Trial at West Salem, WI. A02WIWS. Cut
Date: April 10: May 27 June 30 CW Greenup Cut 1 Cut 2 85029
Measured April May May June June June June July % Date: 29 7 12 4 9
16 20 14 Faster # Days 15 23 28 8 13 20 24 14 Ave. Entry cm/day
cm/day cm/day cm/day cm/day cm/day cm/day cm/day cm/day 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
[0104] Ifalfa Varieties with Improved Standability
[0105] 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.
8TABLE 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 All Cuttings
# days growing 34 30 47 Ave. = 37 Date Rated June 24 July 24
October 14 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
[0106]
9TABLE 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
Oct. 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
[0107]
10TABLE 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
[0108]
11TABLE 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 August June July July August Average Cut/Spring 6 6 7 7
27 greenup Year 1 Year 2 Year 2 Year 2 Year 2 Year 2 # days 35 33
41 48 48 43 growing Date September July August August October Rated
10 9 20 27 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
[0109]
12TABLE 7e Spring Forage Yield Trial at West Salem,. WI E01WIWS -
Standability Notes. Date Last August June July July August April
June Cut/Spring 6 6 10 10 27 14 9 greenup Year 1 Year 2 Year 2 Year
2 Year 2 Year 3 Year 3 # days 35 33 41 48 48 43 56 35 46 growing
Date Sep. July August August October Year 2 June July Year 3 Years
1-3 Rated 19 9 20 27 14 Ave. 9 14 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
[0110]
13TABLE 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
[0111]
14TABLE 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
[0112] Development of New Alfalfa Varieties
[0113] Alfalfa Variety `CW 75046`
[0114] `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.
[0115] Alfalfa variety `CW 75046` was developed by the following
method:
[0116] 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.
[0117] 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.
[0118] In step 3, 77 of the highest standability plants from Step 1
were poly crossed (97-033).
[0119] 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.
[0120] 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.
[0121] 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.
[0122] 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.
[0123] 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.
[0124] 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.
[0125] Breeder seed was produced under cage isolation near
Woodland, Calif. Seed was bulk harvested from all parent
plants.
[0126] 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.
[0127] 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.
[0128] `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 full 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.).
15TABLE 8 Selected characteristics of alfalfa variety `CW 75046`
Trait Rating or Description Fall Dormancy Rating 5 Winter Survival
Rating 2 Recovery after Harvest 9% faster or 2.20 cm/day when
compared to Rating check variety WinterGold at 1.99 cm/day
Standability Rating 5.31 Multi foliolate Leaf 84% Expression 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
[0129]
16TABLE 9 Yield Performance of `CW 75046`. Mean Total Yield of
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
[0130]
17TABLE 10a Forage Quality of `CW 75046`. A01W1WS - Spring Forage
Yield Trial at West Salem, WI. Total Relative Yield Forage DM
Quality Milk Milk Entry tons/acre CP ADF NDF ADL NDFD (RFQ) lbs/Ton
lbs/Acre CW 75046 5.56 22.42 28.09 34.30 5.58 47.54 204 3,029
16,831 54V54 5.63 22.22 28.08 34.39 5.54 47.84 205 3,048 17,173
Ameristand 5.47 23.23 27.60 33.19 5.40 48.57 215 3,119 17,067 403T
Magnum V 5.77 22.44 28.84 34.85 5.76 48.17 202 3,049 17,580 Vernal
4.71 21.67 28.47 34.66 5.51 48.69 206 3,085 14,534 WinterGold 5.50
23.21 25.78 31.47 4.99 48.81 230 3,200 17,590 WL 325HQ 5.51 23.04
27.62 33.46 5.38 47.90 211 3,075 16,929 Trial Mean 5.63 22.79 27.46
33.32 5.37 48.35 215 3,105 17,467 LSD (0.05) 0.46 0.79 1.50 1.70
0.36 0.88 11.80 75.62 1,303.70 C.V. (%) 5.81 2.45 3.87 3.61 4.71
1.29 3.88 1.72 5.28 R2 0.77 0.61 0.51 0.55 0.56 0.51 0.64 0.53
0.77
[0131]
18TABLE 10b Forage Quality of `CW 75046`. E01WIWS - Spring Forage
Yield Trial at West Salem, WI. Total Relative Yield Forage DM
Quality Milk Milk Entry tons/acre CP ADF NDF ADL NDFD (RFQ) lbs/Ton
lbs/Acre CW 75046 6.73 19.81 36.49 44.01 7.74 43.55 137.19 2,584.12
17,401.29 Europe 6.29 19.28 36.10 43.81 7.67 43.45 138.00 2,600.16
16,362.71 Vernal 5.57 19.02 36.90 44.49 7.72 44.55 137.97 2,604.67
14,496.89 WinterGold 6.59 20.04 34.74 42.23 7.39 44.81 148.92
2,706.82 17,852.38 WL 325HQ 6.47 20.49 34.72 42.09 7.21 44.49
148.51 2,679.75 17,333.97 Trial Mean 6.51 19.58 35.89 43.51 7.58
44.26 141.74 2,631.92 17,134.80 LSD (0.05) 0.25 1.08 1.99 2.43 0.51
0.65 11.90 97.93 928.95 C.V. (%) 2.76 3.90 3.92 3.95 4.74 1.03 5.93
2.63 3.83 R2 0.90 0.54 0.37 0.33 0.31 0.62 0.33 0.35 0.84
[0132]
19TABLE 11a Disease Resistance of `CW 75046`. Disease Level of
Resistance Anthracnose R Aphanomyces Root Rot R Bacterial Wilt HR
Fusarium Wilt HR Phytophthora Root Rot R Verticillium Wilt R
[0133]
20TABLE 11b Insect Resistance of `CW 75046`. Insect Level of
Resistance Pea Aphid R Spotted Alfalfa Aphid R
[0134]
21TABLE 11c Nematode Resistance of `CW 75046`. Nematode Level of
Resistance Stem MR Northern Root Knot LR
[0135] Alfalfa Variety `CW 83201`
[0136] `CW 83201` is a high yielding, persistent alfalfa variety
with improved standability and fast recovery after harvest with no
observed soil type or management limitations. `CW 83201` is a
synthetic variety with 225 parent plants that were selected
sequentially for multifoliate leaf expression and for resistance to
Phytophthora root. Parent plants were selected from crosses between
selections from three year old Wisconsin nurseries for winter
survival, leaf disease resistance, healthy green color, fast
recovery 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 fall dormancy,
good agronomic appearance, fast recovery, high leaf to stem ratio,
resistance to crown rot, Bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt, and
Verticillium wilt.
[0137] 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 three years for winter
hardiness, leaf disease resistance, high leaf to stem ratio, fast
recovery after harvest (rate of regrowth after harvest), high
standability (>90% of stems were upright at 50% flowering or
late bloom), and high forage yield potential. The initial French
lines were derived by phenotypic recurrent selection for vigor,
height, agronomic appearance, high standability and resistance to
Verticillium wilt.
[0138] In step 2, 864 elite alfalfa clones from elite populations
adapted to North America were transplanted in the field at West
Salem, Wis. The resulting plants were selected after three years
for winter survival, leaf disease resistance, high leaf to stem
ratio, fast recovery after harvest (rate of regrowth after
harvest), high forage yield, high relative feed value (using Near
Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy or NIRS), moderate fall dormancy,
good agronomic appearance, crown rot resistance, Bacterial wilt
resistance, Fusarium wilt resistance, and Verticillium wilt
resistance.
[0139] In step 3, 9504 alfalfa plants from elite populations
adapted to North America were selected for resistance to
Phytophthora root rot, Aphanomyces root rot (race 1), and
anthracnose (Race 1) and then inoculated with bacterial wilt,
Fusarium wilt and Verticillium wilt and transplanted in the field
at West Salem, Wis. The resulting plants were selected after three
years for winter survival, leaf disease resistance, high leaf to
stem ratio, fast recovery after harvest (rate of regrowth after
harvest), high forage yield, high relative feed value (using Near
Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy, moderate fall dormancy, good
agronomic appearance, crown rot resistance, Bacterial wilt
resistance, Fusarium wilt resistance, and Verticillium wilt
resistance.
[0140] In step 4, numerous elite alfalfa populations were seeded
(17 lbs/acre) into the field at Owatonna, Minn.; Madison, Wis.;
Prescott, Wis.; and West Salem, Wis. The resulting plants were
selected after three years for moderate fall dormancy, good
agronomic appearance, fast recovery, high leaf to stem ratio,
resistance to crown rot, Bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt, and
Verticillium wilt.
[0141] In step 5, 35 of the highest standability plants from Step 1
were poly crossed (98-031).
[0142] In step 6, 32 of the fastest recovery alfalfa clones from
Step 2 and 23 of the fastest recovery alfalfa plants from Step 3
were crossed as males (98-032) to the 35 French plants from Step
1.
[0143] In step 7, 173 of the fastest recovery alfalfa plants from
Step 4 were crossed as males (98-033) to the 35 French plants from
Step 1.
[0144] In step 8, a large number of seeds (2,400) resulting from
cross 98-031 were planted and selected for resistance to
Phytophthora root rot.
[0145] In step 9, a large number of seeds (1,200) resulting from
cross 98-032 were planted and selected for resistance to
Phytophthora root rot.
[0146] In step 10, a large number of seeds (1,200) resulting from
cross 98-033 were planted and selected for resistance to
Phytophthora root rot.
[0147] In step 11, 225 of the most Phytophthora root rot resistant
plants from Step 8 (75 plants), Step 9 (75 plants), and Step 10 (75
plants) were transplanted together under cage isolation. All 225
plants were crossed with one another in Step 11 using leaf cutter
bees, and Breeder seed (Synthetic Generation 1, or "Syn 1") was
bulked from all seed from all 225 plants.
[0148] Breeder seed was produced under cage isolation near
Woodland, Calif. Seed was bulk harvested from all parent
plants.
[0149] 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.
[0150] The above method produced alfalfa variety `CW 83201`. The
primary uses of plants of the `CW 83201` variety are for hay,
haylage, greenchop, and dehydration. `CW 83201` 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 83201` has been tested in California, Nebraska,
Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
[0151] `CW 83201` is a moderate dormant variety with fall dormancy
similar to FD class 4 check varieties. Flower color observed in the
Syn.2 generation is approximately: greater than 99% purple, with a
trace of variegated, white, cream, and yellow (See USDA Agriculture
Handbook No. 424--A System for Visually Classifying Alfalfa Flower
Color.).
[0152] `CW 83201` has high resistance to Fusarium wilt and
resistance to anthracnose (race 1), bacterial wilt, Verticillium
wilt, Phytophthora root rot, Aphanomyces root rot (race 1).
22TABLE 12 Selected characteristics of Alfalfa Variety `CW 83201`
Trait Rating or Description Fall Dormancy Rating 4 Winter Survival
Rating 2 Recovery after Harvest 30% faster or 2.57 cm/day when
compared to Rating check variety WinterGold at 1.99 cm/day
Standability Rating 3.75 Multifoliolate Leaf 66% Expression Rating
Multifoliolate Index 2.27 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
[0153]
23TABLE 13 Yield Performance of alfalfa variety `CW 83201`. Total
Mean Yield of Yield of Date Harvest CW 83021 Trial Location Seeded
Year Years (Tons/Acre) (Tons/Acre) West Salem, WI May 10 1 4 29.34
24.83 Manitowoc, WI April 30 2 2 8.58 8.26 Rock Springs, PA April 1
2 2 10.88 11.66 West Salem, WI April 26 2 2 11.82 11.38 West Salem,
WI April 26 2 2 9.98 9.84 West Salem, WI April 17 3 1 3.68 4.02
Lennox, SD April 18 3 1 2.17 2.38 Mead, NE May 10 2 2 16.06 16.22
Totals 16 92.51 88.59
[0154]
24TABLE 14a Forage Quality of alfalfa variety `CW 83201`. A01WIWS -
Spring Forage Yield Trial at West Salem, WI. Total Relative Yield
Forage DM Quality Milk Milk Entry tons/acre CP ADF NDF ADL NDFD
(RFQ) lbs/Ton lbs./Acre CW 83021 6.16 20.84 30.12 36.82 6.00 47.51
191 2,981 18,325 54V54 5.63 22.22 28.08 34.39 5.54 47.84 205 3,048
17,173 Ameristand 5.47 23.23 27.60 33.19 5.40 48.57 215 3,119
17,067 403T Magnum V 5.77 22.44 28.84 34.85 5.76 48.17 202 3,049
17,580 Vernal 4.71 21.67 28.47 34.66 5.51 48.69 206 3,085 14,534
WinterGold 5.50 23.21 25.78 31.47 4.99 48.81 230 3,200 17,590 WL
325HQ 5.51 23.04 27.62 33.46 5.38 47.90 211 3,075 16,929 Trial Mean
5.63 22.79 27.46 33.32 5.37 48.35 215 3,105 17,467 LSD (0.05) 0.46
0.79 1.50 1.70 0.36 0.88 11.80 75.62 1,303.70 C.V. (%) 5.81 2.45
3.87 3.61 4.71 1.29 3.88 1.72 5.28 R2 0.77 0.61 0.51 0.55 0.56 0.51
0.64 0.53 0.77
[0155]
25TABLE 14b Forage Quality of alfalfa variety `CW 83201`. E01WIWS -
Spring Forage Yield Trial at West Salem, WI. Relative Total Forage
Yield DM Quality Milk Milk Entry tons/acre CP ADF NDF ADL NDFD
(RFQ) lbs/Ton lbs./Acre CW 83021 7.00 19.18 36.34 43.98 7.66 44.23
140.31 2,615.85 18,313.50 Europe 6.29 19.28 36.10 43.81 7.67 43.45
138.00 2,600.16 16,362.71 Vernal 5.57 19.02 36.90 44.49 7.72 44.55
137.97 2,604.67 14,496.89 WinterGold 6.59 20.04 34.74 42.23 7.39
44.81 148.92 2,706.82 17,852.38 WL 325HQ 6.47 20.49 34.72 42.09
7.21 44.49 148.51 2,679.75 17,333.97 Trial Mean 6.51 19.58 35.89
43.51 7.58 44.26 141.74 2,631.92 17,134.80 LSD (0.05) 0.25 1.08
1.99 2.43 0.51 0.65 11.90 97.93 928.95 C.V. (%) 2.76 3.90 3.92 3.95
4.74 1.03 5.93 2.63 3.83 R2 0.90 0.54 0.37 0.33 0.31 0.62 0.33 0.35
0.84
[0156]
26TABLE 15a Disease Resistance of alfalfa variety `CW 83201`.
Disease Level of Resistance Anthracnose R Aphanomyces Root Rot R
Bacterial Wilt R Fusarium Wilt HR Phytophthora Root Rot R
Verticillium Wilt R
[0157]
27TABLE 15b Insect Resistance of alfalfa variety `CW 83201`. Insect
Level of Resistance Pea Aphid R Spotted Alfalfa Aphid R
[0158]
28TABLE 15c Nematode Resistance of alfalfa variety `CW 83201`.
Nematode Level of Resistance Stem MR Northern Root Knot LR
[0159] Code for Tables 15a, 15b and 15c:
[0160] Alfalfa Variety `CW 85029`.
[0161] `CW 85029` is a synthetic variety with 225 parent plants
that were selected sequentially for multifoliate leaf expression
and for resistance to Phytophthora root. Parent plants were
selected from crosses between selections from three year old
Wisconsin nurseries for winter survival, leaf disease resistance,
healthy green color, fast recovery 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, resistance to crown rot,
Bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt, and Verticillium wilt.
[0162] 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 three years for winter
hardiness, leaf disease resistance, high leaf to stem ratio, fast
recovery after harvest (rate of regrowth after harvest), high
standability (>90% of stems were upright at 50% flowering or
late bloom), moderate to late fall dormancy, and high forage yield
potential. The initial French lines were derived by phenotypic
recurrent selection for vigor, height, agronomic appearance, high
standability and resistance to Verticillium wilt.
[0163] In step 2, 864 elite alfalfa clones from elite populations
adapted to North America were transplanted in the field at West
Salem, Wis. The resulting plants were selected after three years
for winter survival, leaf disease resistance, high leaf to stem
ratio, fast recovery after harvest (rate of regrowth after
harvest), high forage yield, high relative feed value (using Near
Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy), moderate to late fall dormancy,
good agronomic appearance, crown rot resistance, Bacterial wilt
resistance, Fusarium wilt resistance, and Verticillium wilt
resistance.
[0164] In step 3, 9504 alfalfa plants from elite populations
adapted to North America were selected for resistance to
Phytophthora root rot, Aphanomyces root rot (race 1), and
anthracnose (Race 1) and then inoculated with bacterial wilt,
Fusarium wilt and Verticillium wilt and transplanted in the field
at West Salem, Wis. The resulting plants were selected after three
years for winter survival, leaf disease resistance, high leaf to
stem ratio, fast recovery after harvest (rate of regrowth after
harvest), high forage yield, high relative feed value (using Near
Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy), moderate to late fall dormancy,
good agronomic appearance, crown rot resistance, Bacterial wilt
resistance, Fusarium wilt resistance, and Verticillium wilt
resistance.
[0165] In step 4, Numerous elite alfalfa populations were seeded
(17 lbs/acre) into the field at Owatonna, Minn., Madison, Wis., and
Prescott, 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, resistance to crown rot,
Bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt, and Verticillium wilt.
[0166] In step 5, 45 of the highest standability plants from Step 1
were poly crossed (98-053).
[0167] In step 6, 20 of the fastest recovery alfalfa clones from
Step 2 and 18 of the fastest recovery alfalfa plants from Step 3
were crossed as males (98-054) to the 45 French plants from Step
1.
[0168] In step 7, 87 of the fastest recovery alfalfa plants from
Step 4 were crossed as males (98-055) to the 45 French plants from
Step 1.
[0169] In step 8, a large number of seeds (2,400) resulting from
cross 98-053 were planted and selected for resistance to
Phytophthora root rot.
[0170] In step 9, a large number of seeds (1,200) resulting from
cross 98-054 were planted and selected for resistance to
Phytophthora root rot.
[0171] In step 10, a large number of seeds (1,200) resulting from
cross 98-055 were planted and selected for resistance to
Phytophthora root rot.
[0172] In step 11, 225 of the most Phytophthora root rot resistant
plants from Step 8 (75 plants), Step 9 (75 plants), and Step 10 (75
plants) were transplanted together under cage isolation. All 225
plants were crossed with one another in Step 11 using leaf cutter
bees, and Breeder seed (Synthetic Generation 1, or "Syn 1") was
bulked from all seed from all 225 plants.
[0173] Breeder seed was produced under cage isolation near
Woodland, Calif. Seed was bulk harvested from all parent
plants.
[0174] Breeder seed (Syn.1) was produced under cage isolation near
Woodland, Calif.
[0175] The primary uses of plants of the `CW 85029` variety are for
hay, haylage, greenchop, and dehydration. `CW 85029` 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 85029` has been tested in California, Nebraska,
Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Washington.
[0176] `CW 85029` is a moderate dormant variety with fall dormancy
similar to FD class 4 check varieties. Flower color observed in the
Syn.2 generation is approximately: approximately 98% purple; 1%
variegated; 1% white; with a trace of cream and yellow (See USDA
Agriculture Handbook No. 424--A System for Visually Classifying
Alfalfa Flower Color.).
[0177] `CW 85029` has high resistance to Bacterial wilt, Fusarium
wilt, and Phytophthora root rot, resistance to anthracnose (race 1)
and Verticillium wilt and moderate resistance to Aphanomyces root
rot (race 1).
29TABLE 16 selected characteristics of alfalfa variety `CW 85029`.
Trait Rating or Description Fall Dormancy Rating 4 Winter Survival
Rating 2 Recovery after Harvest 30% faster or 2.62 cm/day when
compared to Rating check variety WinterGold at 1.99 cm/day
Standability Rating 3.31 Multifoliolate Leaf 52% Expression Rating
Multifoliolate Index 2.02 when compared to check variety Proof at
3.35 Field Appearance At the bud stage, plants will be tall with a
full, dense canopy. Medium dark green plant color
[0178]
30TABLE 17 Yield Performance of `CW 85029`. Total Yield Harvest of
CW 85029 Mean Yield of Trial Location Date Seeded Year Years
(Tons/Acre) (Tons/Acre) West Salem, WI May 10 1 4 28.70 24.83 Basin
City, WA April 21 1 3 13.80 13.76 Manitowoc, WI April 30 2 2 8.16
8.26 Rock Springs, PA April 01 2 2 11.66 11.66 West Salem, WI April
26 2 2 11.69 11.38 West Salem, WI April 26 2 2 9.70 9.84 West
Salem, WI April 17 3 1 3.99 4.02 Lennox, SD April 18 3 1 2.41 2.38
Mead, NE May 10 2 2 16.68 16.22 Totals 19 106.79 102.35
[0179]
31TABLE 18a Forage Quality of `CW 85029`. A01WIWS - Spring Forage
Yield Trial at West Salem, WI. Relative Total Forage Yield DM
Quality Milk Milk Entry tons/acre CP ADF NDF ADL NDFD (RFQ) lbs/Ton
lbs./Acre CW 85029 6.01 21.30 29.29 35.54 5.82 47.50 199 3,045
18,291 54V54 5.63 22.22 28.08 34.39 5.54 47.84 205 3,048 17,173
Ameristand 403T 5.47 23.23 27.60 33.19 5.40 48.57 215 3,119 17,067
Magnum V 5.77 22.44 28.84 34.85 5.76 48.17 202 3,049 17,580 Vernal
4.71 21.67 28.47 34.66 5.51 48.69 206 3,085 14,534 WinterGold 5.50
23.21 25.78 31.47 4.99 48.81 230 3,200 17,590 WL 325HQ 5.51 23.04
27.62 33.46 5.38 47.90 211 3,075 16,929 Trial Mean 5.63 22.79 27.46
33.32 5.37 48.35 215 3,105 17,467 LSD (0.05) 0.46 0.79 1.50 1.70
0.36 0.88 11.80 75.62 1,303.70 C.V. (%) 5.81 2.45 3.87 3.61 4.71
1.29 3.88 1.72 5.28 R2 0.77 0.61 0.51 0.55 0.56 0.51 0.64 0.53
0.77
[0180]
32TABLE 18b Forage Quality of `CW 85029`. E01WIWS - Spring Forage
Yield Trial at West Salem, WI. Relative Total Forage Yield DM
Quality Milk Milk Entry tons/acre CP ADF NDF ADL NDFD (RFQ) lbs/Ton
lbs./Acre CW 85029 6.81 18.58 36.72 44.63 7.75 44.43 138.15
2,614.13 17,803.29 Europe 6.29 19.28 36.10 43.81 7.67 43.45 138.00
2,600.16 16,362.71 Vernal 5.57 19.02 36.90 44.49 7.72 44.55 137.97
2,604.67 14,496.89 WinterGold 6.59 20.04 34.74 42.23 7.39 44.81
148.92 2,706.82 17,852.38 WL 325HQ 6.47 20.49 34.72 42.09 7.21
44.49 148.51 2,679.75 17,333.97 Trial Mean 6.51 19.58 35.89 43.51
7.58 44.26 141.74 2,631.92 17,134.80 LSD (0.05) 0.25 1.08 1.99 2.43
0.51 0.65 11.90 97.93 928.95 C.V. (%) 2.76 3.90 3.92 3.95 4.74 1.03
5.93 2.63 3.83 R2 0.90 0.54 0.37 0.33 0.31 0.62 0.33 0.35 0.84
[0181]
33TABLE 19a Disease Resistance of `CW 85029`. Disease Level of
Resistance Anthracnose R Aphanomyces Root Rot MR Bacterial Wilt HR
Fusarium Wilt HR Phytophthora Root Rot HR Verticillium Wilt R
[0182]
34TABLE 19b Insect Resistance. of `CW 85029`. Insect Level of
Resistance Pea Aphid R Spotted Alfalfa Aphid R
[0183]
35TABLE 19c Nematode Resistance of `CW 85029`. Nematode Level of
Resistance Stem MR Northern Root Knot LR
[0184] Alfalfa Variety `CW 95026`
[0185] `CW 95026` is a high yielding, persistent variety with
improved standability and fast recovery after harvest with no
observed soil type or management limitations. `CW 95026` is a
synthetic variety with 225 parent plants that were selected
sequentially for resistance to Phytophthora root rot and
anthracnose (race 1). Parent plants were selected from crosses
between selections from two year old Wisconsin nurseries for winter
survival, leaf disease resistance, healthy dark green color, fast
recovery after harvest, and high standability; and from crosses
between the nursery selections and selections from a three year old
Wisconsin yield trial for moderate to late fall dormancy, good
agronomic appearance, high leaf to stem ratio, fast recovery, high
standability, resistance to crown rot, Bacterial wilt, Fusarium
wilt, and Verticillium wilt.
[0186] In the initial step, 25 elite alfalfa clones from French
selected for improved adaptation to North America were transplanted
in the field at West Salem, Wis. The resulting plants were selected
after two years for winter survival, leaf disease resistance, high
leaf to stem ratio, fast recovery after harvest (rate of regrowth
after harvest), high standability (>90% of stems were upright at
50% flowering or late bloom), high forage yield, high relative feed
value (using Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy), late fall
dormancy, good agronomic appearance, crown rot resistance,
Bacterial wilt resistance, Fusarium wilt resistance, and
Verticillium wilt resistance. The initial French lines were derived
by phenotypic recurrent selection for vigor, height, agronomic
appearance, high standability and resistance to Verticillium
wilt.
[0187] In step 2, 2159 alfalfa plants from elite populations
adapted to North America and French populations improved for
adaptation to North America are selected for resistance to
Phytophthora root rot and anthracnose (Race 1) and then inoculated
with Verticillium wilt and transplanted in the field at West Salem,
Wis. The resulting plants are selected after two years for winter
survival, leaf disease resistance, high leaf to stem ratio, fast
recovery after harvest (rate of regrowth after harvest), high
standability (>90% of stems were upright at 50% flowering or
late bloom), high forage yield, high relative feed value (using
Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy), late fall dormancy, good
agronomic appearance, crown rot resistance, Bacterial wilt
resistance, Fusarium wilt resistance, and Verticillium wilt
resistance. The initial French lines were derived by phenotypic
recurrent selection for vigor, height, agronomic appearance, high
standability and resistance to Verticillium wilt.
[0188] In step 3, CW 54010 experimental alfalfa variety is seeded
(17 lbs/acre) into the field at West Salem, Wis. The resulting
plants are selected after three years for moderate to late fall
dormancy, good agronomic appearance, fast recovery, high
standability, high leaf to stem ratio, multifoliolate leaf
expression, resistance to crown rot, Bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt,
and Verticillium wilt. CW 54010 is a synthetic variety with 196
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 nurseries for improved standability.
[0189] In step 4, 4 of the highest standability French alfalfa
clones from Step 1 and 15 of the highest standability plants from
Step 2 were poly crossed (99-038).
[0190] In step 5, 31 of the highest standability CW 54010 plants
from Step 3 are poly crossed (99-039).
[0191] In step 6, 4 of the highest standability French clones from
Step 1, 15 of the highest standability plants from Step 2, and 31
of the highest standability CW 54010 plants from Step 3 were
polycrossed (99-041).
[0192] In step 7, a large number of seeds (2,400) resulting from
cross 99-038 were planted and selected for resistance to
Phytophthora root rot and anthracnose (race 1).
[0193] In step 8, a large number of seeds (1,200) resulting from
cross 99-039 were planted and selected for resistance to
Phytophthora root rot and anthracnose (race 1).
[0194] In step 9, a large number of seeds (1,200) resulting from
cross 99-041 were planted and selected for resistance to
Phytophthora root rot and anthracnose (race 1).
[0195] In step 10, 225 of the most Phytophthora root rot resistant
plants from Step 7 (125 plants), Step 8 (50 plants), and Step 9 (50
plants) were transplanted together under cage isolation. All 225
plants were crossed with one another in Step 10 using leaf cutter
bees, and Breeder seed (Synthetic Generation 1, or "Syn 1") was
bulked from all seed from all 225 plants.
[0196] Breeder seed was produced under cage isolation near
Woodland, Calif. Seed was bulk harvested from all parent
plants.
[0197] Breeder seed (Syn.1) was produced under cage isolation near
Woodland, Calif. in 1999. 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.
[0198] The foregoing method produces plants of variety `CW 95026`.
The primary uses of plants of the `CW 95026` variety are for hay,
haylage, greenchop, and dehydration. `CW 95026` 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 95026` has been tested in California, Iowa,
Nebraska, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. `CW
95026` is a late dormant variety with fall dormancy similar to FD
class 5 check varieties. Flower color observed in the Syn.2
generation is approximately 99% purple, 1% white, with a trace of
variegated, cream, and yellow (See USDA Agriculture Handbook No.
424--A System for Visually Classifying Alfalfa Flower Color.).
[0199] `CW 95026` has high resistance to anthracnose (race 1),
Aphanomyces root rot (race 1). Bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt,
Phytophthora root rot and resistance to Verticillium wilt.
36TABLE 20 selected characteristics of alfalfa variety `CW 95026`.
Trait Rating or Description Fall Dormancy Rating 5 Winter Survival
Rating 3 Recovery after Harvest Rating 21% faster or 2.36 cm/day
when compared to check variety WinterGold at 1.99 cm/day
Standability Rating 6.62 Multifoliolate Leaf Expression Rating 65%
Multifoliolate Index 2.58 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 dense, uniform canopy. Medium dark green
plant color.
[0200]
37TABLE 21 Yield Performance of `CW 95026`. Harvest Total Yield of
CW Mean Yield of Trial Location Date Seeded Year Years 95026
(Tons/Acre) (Tons/Acre) Manitowoc, WI April 30 2 2 8.46 8.26
Davenport, IA May 04 1 3 16.50 16.77 Sauk Center, MN May 19 1 3
8.43 8.09 Newton, WI May 3 1 3 15.78 15.01 West Salem, WI April 14
1 3 19.06 17.56 Rock Springs, PA April 1 2 2 11.57 11.66 West
Salem, WI April 26 2 2 12.12 11.38 West Salem, WI April 26 2 2
10.09 9.84 West Salem, WI April 17 3 1 4.03 4.02 Lennox, SD April
18 3 1 2.22 2.38 Mead, NE May 10 2 2 15.77 16.22 Totals 24 124.03
121.19
[0201]
38TABLE 22a Forage Quality of `CW 95026`. A01WIWS - Spring Forage
Yield Trial at West Salem, WI. Relative Total Forage Yield DM
Quality Milk Milk Entry tons/acre CP ADF NDF ADL NDFD (RFQ) lbs/Ton
lbs./Acre CW 95026 6.00 21.93 28.55 35.07 5.75 48.21 201 3,042
18,259 54V54 5.63 22.22 28.08 34.39 5.54 47.84 205 3,048 17,173
Ameristand 403T 5.47 23.23 27.60 33.19 5.40 48.57 215 3,119 17,067
Magnum V 5.77 22.44 28.84 34.85 5.76 48.17 202 3,049 17,580 Vernal
4.71 21.67 28.47 34.66 5.51 48.69 206 3,085 14,534 WinterGold 5.50
23.21 25.78 31.47 4.99 48.81 230 3,200 17,590 WL 325HQ 5.51 23.04
27.62 33.46 5.38 47.90 211 3,075 16,929 Trial Mean 5.63 22.79 27.46
33.32 5.37 48.35 215 3,105 17,467 LSD (0.05) 0.46 0.79 1.50 1.70
0.36 0.88 11.80 75.62 1,303.70 C.V. (%) 5.81 2.45 3.87 3.61 4.71
1.29 3.88 1.72 5.28 R2 0.77 0.61 0.51 0.55 0.56 0.51 0.64 0.53
0.77
[0202]
39TABLE 22b Forage Quality of `CW 95026`. E01WIWS - Spring Forage
Yield Trial at West Salem, WI. Relative Total Forage Yield DM
Quality Milk Milk Entry tons/acre CP ADF NDF ADL NDFD (RFQ) lbs/Ton
lbs./Acre CW 95026 6.61 20.28 35.10 42.84 7.50 44.60 144.87
2,649.81 17,514.41 Europe 6.29 19.28 36.10 43.81 7.67 43.45 138.00
2,600.16 16,362.71 Vernal 5.57 19.02 36.90 44.49 7.72 44.55 137.97
2,604.67 14,496.89 WinterGold 6.59 20.04 34.74 42.23 7.39 44.81
148.92 2,706.82 17,852.38 WL 325HQ 6.47 20.49 34.72 42.09 7.21
44.49 148.51 2,679.75 17,333.97 Trial Mean 6.51 19.58 35.89 43.51
7.58 44.26 141.74 2,631.92 17,134.80 LSD (0.05) 0.25 1.08 1.99 2.43
0.51 0.65 11.90 97.93 928.95 C.V. (%) 2.76 3.90 3.92 3.95 4.74 1.03
5.93 2.63 3.83 R2 0.90 0.54 0.37 0.33 0.31 0.62 0.33 0.35 0.84
[0203]
40TABLE 23a Disease Resistance of `CW 95026`. Disease Level of
Resistance Anthracnose HR Aphanomyces Root Rot HR Bacterial Wilt HR
Fusarium Wilt HR Phytophthora Root Rot HR Verticillium Wilt R
[0204]
41TABLE 23b Insect Resistance of `CW 95026`. Insect Level of
Resistance Pea Aphid HR Spotted Alfalfa Aphid HR
[0205]
42TABLE 23c Nematode Resistance of `CW 95026`. Nematode Level of
Resistance Stem HR Northern Root Knot LR
Example 4
[0206] Breeding Methods
[0207] The skilled artisan will recognize that the invention of the
instant disclosure is not limited to the specific plants and
varieties taught herein, but also comprises the use of these plants
in methods of breeding alfalfa.
[0208] 1. Open-Pollinated Populations
[0209] The improvement of open-pollinated populations of alfalfa
depends essentially upon changing gene-frequencies towards fixation
of favorable alleles while maintaining a high (but far from
maximal) degree of heterozygosity. Uniformity in such populations
is impossible and trueness-to-type in an open-pollinated variety is
a statistical feature of the population as a whole, not a
characteristic of individual plants. Thus, the heterogeneity of
open-pollinated populations contrasts with the homogeneity (or
virtually so) of inbred lines, clones and hybrids.
[0210] Population improvement methods fall naturally into two
groups, those based on purely phenotypic selection, normally called
mass selection, and those based on selection with progeny testing.
Interpopulation improvement utilizes the concept of open breeding
populations; allowing genes for flow from one population to
another. Plants in one population (cultivar, strain, ecotype, or
any germplasm source) are crossed either naturally (e.g., by wind)
or by hand or by bees with plants from other populations. Selection
is applied to improve one (or sometimes both) population(s) by
isolating plants with desirable traits from both sources.
[0211] There are basically two primary methods of open-pollinated
population improvement. First, there is the situation in which a
population is changed en masse by a chosen selection procedure. The
outcome is an improved population that is indefinitely propagable
by random-mating within itself in isolation. Second, the synthetic
variety attains the same end result as population improvement but
is not itself propagable as such; it has to be reconstructed from
parental lines or clones. These plant breeding procedures for
improving open-pollinated populations are well known to those
skilled in the art and comprehensive reviews of breeding procedures
routinely used for improving cross-pollinated plants are provided
in numerous texts and articles, including: Allard, Principles of
Plant Breeding, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (1960); Simmonds,
Principles of Crop Improvement, Longman Group Limited (1979);
Hallauer and Miranda, Quantitative Genetics in Maize Breeding, Iowa
State University Press (1981); and, Jensen, Plant Breeding
Methodology, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (1988). Detailed breeding
methodologies specifically applicable to alfalfa are provided in
Alfalfa and Alfalfa Improvement, supra.
[0212] 2. Mass Selection
[0213] In mass selection, desirable individual plants are chosen,
harvested, and the seed composited without progeny testing to
produce the following generation. Since selection is based on the
maternal parent only, and there is no control over pollination,
mass selection amounts to a form of random mating with selection.
As stated above, the purpose of mass selection is to increase the
proportion of superior genotypes in the population.
Example 5
[0214] Synthetic Alfalfa Varieties.
[0215] A synthetic variety is produced by crossing a number of
selected genotypes, with subsequent maintenance of the variety by
open pollination. Whether parents are (more or less inbred)
seed-propagated lines, as in some sugar beet and beans (Vicia) or
clones, as in herbage grasses, clovers and alfalfa, makes no
difference in principle. Parents are selected on general combining
ability, sometimes by test crosses or topcrosses, more generally by
polycrosses. Parental seed lines may be deliberately inbred (e.g.
by selfing or sib crossing). However, even if the parents are not
deliberately inbred, selection within lines during line maintenance
will ensure that some inbreeding occurs. Clonal parents will, of
course, remain unchanged and highly heterozygous.
[0216] Whether a synthetic can go straight from the parental seed
production plot to the farmer or must first undergo one or two
cycles of multiplication depends on seed production and the scale
of demand for seed. In practice, grasses and clovers are generally
multiplied once or twice and are thus considerably removed from the
original synthetic.
[0217] While mass selection is sometimes used, progeny testing is
generally preferred for polycrosses, because of their operational
simplicity and obvious relevance to the objective, namely
exploitation of general combining ability in a synthetic.
[0218] The number of parental lines or clones that enter a
synthetic vary widely. In practice, numbers of parental lines range
from 10 to several hundred, with 100-300 being the average. Broad
based synthetics formed from 100 or more clones would be expected
to be more stable during seed multiplication than narrow based
synthetics.
[0219] Synthetics in alfalfa are used in advanced generations as
commercial cultivars. The parents are always selected for some
particular trait or traits but seldom for combining ability per se.
Synthetic cultivars permit the expression of heterosis to a degree,
usually less than hybrids, while providing a practical method for
seed multiplication.
[0220] Parents for synthetic cultivars in alfalfa are selected by
many different methods. In an open breeding system the parents can
be selected from such diverse sources as ecotypes, cultivars, and
experimental strains. Although production of a synthetic cultivar
is relatively simple, a wise choice of parents for the Syn 0
generation is crucial, for this will determine the performance of
the synthetic. Decisions as to which and how many parents to
include, fix the minimum degree of inbreeding that the eventual
cultivar will sustain in subsequent generations.
Example 6
[0221] Transgenic Alfalfa.
[0222] One of skill in the art would recognize that the alfalfa
plants of the instant invention need not be produced solely by
using classical plant breeding methodology. Recombinant DNA
techniques allow plant researchers to circumvent the limitations of
conventional plant breeding by enabling plant geneticists to
identify and clone specific genes for desirable traits. Once the
foreign genes have been introduced into a plant, that plant can
than be used in conventional plant breeding schemes (e.g., pedigree
breeding, single-seed-descent breeding schemes, reciprocal
recurrent selection, mass selection, progeny test selection, clonal
breeding) to produce progeny which also contain the gene of
interest.
[0223] Standard techniques well known to those skilled in the art
can be used to identify, locate and isolate the genes associated
with the improved standability and faster recovery after spring
green-up or after harvest obtained in the present invention.
Furthermore, the promoters and modifying sequences associated with
such genes can also be identified, located and isolated using the
same techniques. The isolated nucleic acids can be used to produce
transgenic cells, tissues and whole organisms, especially
transgenic plant cells, plant tissues and whole plants.
[0224] Genes can be introduced in a site directed fashion using
homologous recombination. Homologous recombination permits
site-specific modifications in endogenous genes and thus inherited
or acquired mutations may be corrected, and/or novel alterations
may be engineered into the genome. Homologous recombination and
site-directed integration in plants are discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,451,513, 5,501,967 and 5,527,695.
[0225] Methods of producing transgenic plants are well known to
those of ordinary skill in the art. Transgenic plants can now be
produced by a variety of different transformation methods
including, but not limited to, electroporation; microinjection;
microprojectile bombardment, also known as particle acceleration or
biolistic bombardment; viral-mediated transformation; and
Agrobacterium-mediated transformation (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,405,765, 5,472,869, 5,538,877, 5,538,880, 5,550,318, 5,641,664,
5,736,369 and 5,736369; Watson et al., Recombinant DNA, Scientific
American Books (1992); Hinchee et al., Bio/Tech. 6:915-922 (1988);
McCabe et al., Bio/Tech. 6:923-926 (1988); Toriyama et al.,
Bio/Tech. 6:1072-1074 (1988); Fromm et al., Bio/Tech. 8:833-839
(1990); Mullins et al., Bio/Tech. 8:833-839 (1990); and, Raineri et
al., Bio/Tech. 8:33-38 (1990)).
[0226] Transgenic alfalfa plants have been produced by many of
these methods including, but not limited to, agrobacterium-mediated
transformation (Wang et al., Australian Journal of Plant Physiology
23(3):265-270 (1996); Hoffman et al., Molecular Plant-Microbe
Interactions 10(3):307-315 (1997); Trieu et al., Plant Cell Reports
16:6-11 (1996)) and particle acceleration (U.S. Pat. No.
5,324,646).
[0227] Conner et al. (U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,057,496 and 6,476,291) teach
methods for biasing a crop plant which is heterozygous for a
transgene towards the production of seeds which carry the
transgene, wherein such methods are particularly useful for
maintaining a transgene in an alfalfa synthetic variety.
Example 7
[0228] Cell and Tissue Culture of Alfalfa
[0229] Further reproduction of the alfalfa varieties of the present
invention can occur by cell and tissue culture and regeneration.
Thus, another aspect of this invention is to provide cells which
upon growth and differentiation produce alfalfa plants which have
on average about 8% or greater faster recovery after harvest and/or
have on average about 15% or greater more erect stems at late bloom
when compared to an adapted commercial alfalfa variety grown under
the same field growing conditions in North America. Yet another
embodiment is a tissue culture of regenerable cells, where the
cells include genetic material that convey on average about 8% or
greater faster recovery after harvest and/or on average about 15%
or greater more erect stems at late bloom when compared to an
adapted commercial alfalfa variety grown under the same field
growing conditions in North America. Some embodiments include such
a tissue culture that includes cultured cells derived, in whole or
in part, 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.
[0230] In one embodiment, this invention provides cells which upon
growth and differentiation produce alfalfa plants having all or
substantially all of the physiological and morphological
characteristics of alfalfa varieties `CW 75046`; `CW 83201`; `CW
85029`; and `CW 95026`.
[0231] Methods of producing alfalfa plants from tissue culture are
well known by the ordinary artisan. See, for example, Daniel C. W.
Brown, HortScience 23(3):526-531 (1988); Bingham, E. T., Crop
Science 15:719-721 (1975); Fuentes et al., Plant Cell, Tissue and
Organ Culture 34:299-302(1993); Hanson et al., Crop Science 27:1084
(1987); Ray et al., Crop Science 29:1545-1548 (1989); Seitz et al.,
In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology 24:1047-1052 (1988);
Bingham et al., Alfalfa Tissue Culture, pages 903-929, In Alfalfa
and Alfalfa Improvement, Hanson et al. (ed.), American Society of
Agronomy, Monograph No. 29 (1988); and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,324,646;
5,731,202; 5,908,974; 5,994,626; 6,127,599; 6,143,951; 6,359,195;
6,563,019 and 6,566,137, each of which is incorporated herein in
their entirety.
[0232] Initiation of callus from immature anthers, immature
ovaries, cotyledons, internode sections, and seedling hypocotyls of
`CW 75046`, `CW 83201`, `CW 85029` and/or `CW 95026` can be
achieved on Blaydes medium supplemented with various combinations
and concentrations of kinetin (K), .alpha.-naphthalene acetic acid
(NAA), and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). See, for
example, Saunders, J. W. and E. T. Bingham, Crop Science
12(6):804-808 (1972). Whole alfalfa plants can be produced from the
callus tissue, wherein the alfalfa plants have the same or
substantially the same morphological and physiological
characteristics as the plant from which the calli were derived.
[0233] The foregoing detailed description has been given for
clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations
should be understood therefrom as modifications will be obvious to
those skilled in the art.
[0234] Ratings are based on the average performance of a variety
grown over a wide range of climate and soil types within its
adapted maturity under normal growing conditions. Extreme
conditions may adversely affect performance.
[0235] While the invention has been described in connection with
specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is
capable of further modifications and this application is intended
to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention
following, in general, the principles of the invention and
including such departures from the present disclosure as come
within known or customary practice within the art to which the
invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features
hereinbefore set forth and as follows in the scope of the appended
claims.
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