Show r 1 I f f j M Alfalfa varieties complete JL in in test plot By Dy Justin Testing and evaluating alfalfa varieties in their area of adaptation has been a major occupation of Dr De Vere R. R McAllister Utah State University Extension agronomist agronomist agronomist agron agron- since 1938 CURRENTLY he is conducting conducting conducting con con- ducting alfalfa test plots in eight location in Utah two in Millard County and one each in Wasatch Salt Lake Sanpete Uintah Box Elder and Cache counties The purpose of this testing Dr Or McAllister said is to determine the varieties best suited Muted to a particular location Different test sites are 1 i required he explained t- t because b no single variety is adapt adapted a d to all growing areas Utah state University's alfalfa evaluation program is actually IY a 3 pronged 3 pronged activity 1 Dr McAllister McAllister provides the planting pattern the technical direction and the 4 which is contributed by pa pa- pa paT T t ng seed companies 2 the various county agents assist Dr McAllister and ordinate co-ordinate procedures with the grower 3 the farmer provides the land and maintains the plot the culture being identical to that of the surrounding fields The farmers are anxious to cooperate says Dr McAllister as they can observe observe observe ob ob- serve different varieties on their own land and subject to local growing conditions i j TILE THE TEST plots approximate 60 by 20 feet overall are usually located in the middle of the growers grower's field and may include 20 varieties replicated six times for a total of individual rows Dr McAllister synchronizes his growing practices with normal commercial production in order to minimize any disruption of the farmers farmer's program Varieties selected Cortest for Cor test plot evaluation are those commonly on sale in Utah rather than VARIETIES ARE evaluated for Cor yield per crop or cutting after the U third rd year and resistance to disease If time permits and personnel is available root samples may be checked to determine the percent affected by bacterial wilt and the number of roots per unit area The latter evaluation factor is also a measure of oC stand and often accompanies research on seeding rates The test plots are harvested at the same time as the growers grower's fields if at all possible Each variety is mowed raked gathered and weighed in just a afew afew afew few minutes to prevent any drying that might affect the weights The green weights are recorded converted to dry matter and computations made to determine yield on a per acre basis The cuttings are then placed in windrows to facilitate harvesting by the grower Dr McAllister is not Impressed impressed Im im- pressed by varieties that establish track records early in inthe inthe inthe the testing period The first year or two of oC evaluation he claims may be of oC little value with a perennial such as alfalfa What were we're looking for Cor are varieties that maintain a stand for Cor six or seven years TONNAGE statistics alone says Dr McAllister are arc not the entire answer They must be related to stand life because its it's expensive to establish a stand and water is not always available Commenting on evaluation procedures Dr McAllister stated Resistance to disease may be more important than yield potential and an accurate accurate ac ac- accurate curate evaluation of a new variety requires at least five years because of the delayed action for Cor example of stem n nematode Bacterial wilt which is common throughout the state and stem nematode which ismore ismore is ismore more localized are serious threats to increasing or even maintaining alfalfa yields in Utah Pea aphids and spotted alfalfa alfalfa aphids although destructive are less menacing because both can be controlled chemically It is interesting to note that the very traits Dr McAllister is seeking can actually bee be built into a new variety by the plant breeders A case in point is WI WL- WL a variety designed especially for Cor Utah growing conditions and wl which ch has performed well in Dr McAllisters McAllister's test plots THE BREEDERS BREEDER'S blueprint for this variety includes the following agronomic traits deemed desirable by by Dr McAllister long stand persistence persistence persistence per per- high yield potential and resistance to pea aphid spotted alfalfa aphid and bacterial wilt Other agronomic traits bred into WL are high leaf retention during cutting and fast Cast recovery Research technicians agree with Dr McAllister relative to the importance of resistance to disease Resistance alone is not enough says Nate Johnson research agronomist for Germains Germain's Inc a century old western seed firm It should be coupled to healthy growth WHAT THIS TIllS means Johnson explained is that the the plants have to produce a top quality crop as well as resist pests Farmers can obtain data relative to Dr McAllisters McAllister's alfalfa test plot evaluations from Crom a leaflet Alfalfa Varieties for Utah published by Utah State University and also by attending farmer schools sponsored by and agricultural associations in alfalfa growing areas a 0 a Present Ever Hug Bug Threat Scientists estimate there are about 2 1 million Insect Insect insect in In- sect species in the world that are not now present in the United States However of oC these species are arc known to be doing damage in foreign areas that are ecologically ecologically eco ceo logically similar to parts of oC this country |