Narrative
LUCERNE
Medicago sativa
'L69' breeders reference '5715'
Application No 1992/060
Application Accepted 21 May 1992
Applicant: Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc, Des Moines, Iowa, United States of America
Australian Agent: Pioneer Hi-Bred Australia Pty Ltd, Toowoomba, Queensland
Description
A fast recovery winter active lucerne with erect growth having dark green foliage with more lower leaves that most other winter active varieties. Mid flowering variety with purple to variegated flowers. High resistance to Colletotrichum crown rot, unique for winter actives.
Origin
Arose from parent plants selected through phenotypic recurrent selections for resistance to one or more of the following: Colletotrichum crown rot, Blue green aphid, Phytophthora root rot. Originated August 1986. Bred by Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc plant breeders.
Comparative Trials
The comparators are 'Aurora', 'Trifecta' and 'Quadrella'. Conducted at Pioneer Hi-Bred's Wyreema research station, Queensland 1992-1993. Made up of four randomised replicated plots 1m x 5m x 5 rows at 20cm apart. Sown to achieve 250 plants/m2. Sampling done at random in equal number from the three centre rows of each plot. Disease testing conducted by Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc at Arlington, Wisconsin, Johnston, Iowa, Connell, Washington in the United States of America. 26 plants x 4 replications. Plants inoculated 11 days after seeded, rated 11 days later for resistance/susceptibility.
Prior Applications and Sales
Country Year Status Name Applied
United States of America 1992 Granted '5715'
Adaptation
Suited to all lucerne growing areas of Australia. Features of disease and aphid resistance make it highly suitable for irrigation and high rainfall areas.
Description prepared by Rob Wilson, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc, Bendigo, Victoria
Table of Comparison of Lucerne Varieties
(*=comparator)
___________________________________________________________________________________
'L69'
*'Aurora'
*'Trifecta'
*'Quadrella'
___________________________________________________________________________________
PLANT HEIGHT (natural height 2 weeks after equinox) very tall=9, medium=5, very short=1
discrete
tall
tall
tall
tall
ranked
8
7
8
7
___________________________________________________________________________________
PLANT HEIGHT cm (spring stems extended, after first cut)
mean
29.5
26.0
23.7
23.2
range
20-39
19-38
16-32
13-35
std. deviation
3.8
4.2
3.2
4.1
LSD 0.01
1.84
P<0.01
P<0.01
P<0.01
___________________________________________________________________________________
PLANT HEIGHT cm (autumn stems extended, after last cut)
mean
23.6
21.6
23.0
22.0
range
14-34
13-31
14-33
14-34
std. deviation
4.6
4.6
4.4
4.8
LSD 0.01
2.23
NS
NS
NS
___________________________________________________________________________________
PLANT HEIGHT cm (stems extended, including head, at full flower)
mean
71.8
67.1
62.1
60.4
range
65-78
59-78
54-73
51-70
std. deviation
2.7
6.3
2.8
4.3
LSD 0.01
1.9
P<0.01
P<0.01
P<0.01
___________________________________________________________________________________
LEAF COLOUR (1= light, 5=dark)
5
4
4
4
___________________________________________________________________________________
FLOWERING (time of beginning) early=3, medium=5, late=7
discrete
late
lat e
late
late
ranked
7
7
7
7
___________________________________________________________________________________
FLOWER COLOUR
dark purple/purple (93%)
dark purple/ purple (91%)
dark purple/purple (92%)
dark purple/purple (90%)
variegated (7%)
variegated (9%)
variegated (8%)
variegated (10%)
___________________________________________________________________________________
Colletotrichum CROWN ROT RESISTANCE (percentage resistant)
61.2
12.1
13.8
21.4
___________________________________________________________________________________
Phytophthora ROOT ROT RESISTANCE (percentage resistant)
32.1
46.9
32.8
13.9
___________________________________________________________________________________
PEA APHID RESISTANCE (percentage resistant)
75.0
83.4
69.3
50.5
___________________________________________________________________________________
STEM NEMATODE RESISTANCE (percentage resistance)
3.1
9.4
43.5
37.1
___________________________________________________________________________________