New varieties of alfalfa are released by commercial breeding companies each year. The Iowa State University forage breeding program, in conjunction with the Iowa Crop Improvement Association, tests commercially available varieties at five locations in Iowa, including at the Northeast Research Farm. Funding to conduct these tests is provided by entrants who pay a fee to have their varieties included. Our tests provide an unbiased comparison among cultivars deemed by the companies to be adapted to particular regions of the state

Brummer, E. Charles

Smith, Mark

New varieties of alfalfa are released by commercial breeding companies each year. The Iowa State University forage breeding program, in conjunction with the Iowa Crop Improvement Association, tests commercially available varieties throughout Iowa, including at the Northeast Research Farm, Nashua, IA. Funding to conduct these tests is provided by entrants who pay a fee to have their varieties included. Our tests provide an unbiased comparison of cultivars deemed to be adapted to particular regions of the state by the companies.</p

Brummer, E.

Digital Repository @ Iowa State University (ISU)

Iowa State University, Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm                                                                     ISRF02-13Alfalfa Variety TestingE. Charles Brummer, associate professorMark Smith, research associateDepartment of AgronomyIntroductionNew varieties of alfalfa are released bycommercial breeding companies each year. TheIowa State University forage breeding program,in conjunction with the Iowa Crop ImprovementAssociation, tests commercially availablevarieties throughout Iowa, including at theNortheast Research Farm, Nashua, IA. Fundingto conduct these tests is provided by entrantswho pay a fee to have their varieties included.Our tests provide an unbiased comparison ofcultivars deemed to be adapted to particularregions of the state by the companies.Materials and MethodsVariety trials were planted in April 1999, 2000,and 2001 with a drill at a rate of 18 lb/acre.Each variety was replicated four times. Plot sizewas 3 ¥ 12 ft. The tests were harvested threetimes in the year of establishment and fourtimes/year thereafter using a sickle barharvester. Fertility was maintained according toISU soil test recommendations.Results and DiscussionForage yields in tons of dry matter/acre arereported for tests sown in 1999 (Tables 1 and 2),2000 (Table 3), and 2001 (Table 4). Data fortests sown in 2002 will be reported beginningnext year. All tests are sprayed as needed tocontrol potato leafhoppers, with the exception ofone trial in 1999, which was not sprayed (Table2). When choosing varieties, several traits areimportant, including high yield, maintenance ofyielding ability through the later years of a trial,and disease resistance. More completeinformation on the alfalfa variety trials,including seed sources and disease resistanceprofiles are available in ISU Extension BulletinAG-84 or online at:http://www.public.iastate.edu/~brummer/extension.html.AcknowledgmentsWe thank Ken Pecinovsky for his assistance andthe Iowa Crop Improvement Association forfunding the research.Iowa State University, Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm                                                                     ISRF02-13Table 1. 1999 Nashua test yields (tons dry matter/acre).            Variety                            1999       2000       2001       2002       Avg1             9701 0.98 5.37 6.28 6.10 5.92Rebound 4.2 0.95 5.28 6.13 6.25 5.89Trump 0.97 5.12 6.23 6.22 5.86645 II 1.04 5.26 6.02 5.84 5.71FQ315 1.04 5.18 5.82 5.93 5.64Geneva 0.94 4.89 5.91 5.78 5.526420 0.90 4.97 5.83 5.65 5.4953Q60 0.78 4.85 5.79 5.82 5.48WL327 0.95 4.89 5.78 5.64 5.43Abound 0.80 4.79 5.71 5.69 5.40Innovator+Z 0.96 4.67 5.97 5.55 5.40DK142 0.87 4.78 5.76 5.57 5.37DK140 0.89 4.73 5.67 5.64 5.35GreenFeast 0.94 4.53 5.83 5.62 5.335454 0.79 4.59 5.83 5.49 5.30WinterGold 0.88 4.61 5.63 5.58 5.275312 0.86 4.43 5.63 5.41 5.16DK124 1.00 4.60 5.51 5.26 5.136410 0.87 4.33 5.58 5.37 5.10DK134 0.99 4.50 5.37 5.28 5.05Vernal 0.87 4.59 5.27 5.12 4.99Award 0.88 4.38 4.96 5.01 4.78FQ314 0.95 4.24 5.04 5.04 4.78DK141 0.88 4.11 5.08 5.12 4.77Mean 0.92 4.74 5.69 5.58 5.34LSD (5%)                     0.13         0.34         0.41         0.41         0.17              1Averages include 2000–2002.Table 2. 1999 Nashua unsprayed test yields (tons drymatter/acre).                                                                                                                 Variety                            1999       2000       2001       2002       Avg1             5454 0.86 5.05 5.12 5.60 5.266310 1.02 4.82 5.02 5.23 5.02TrailBlazer 3.0 0.72 4.73 4.98 5.08 4.93Vernal 0.96 4.80 4.88 5.10 4.93DK131HG 0.87 4.56 4.84 5.13 4.8454H69 0.90 4.71 4.72 4.98 4.80Ameriguard 302+Z 0.97 4.34 4.45 4.98 4.59Mean 0.92 4.69 4.86 5.10 4.88LSD (5%)                     0.17         0.68         0.62         0.50         0.15              1Averages include only 2000–2002.Table 3. 2000 Nashua test yields (tons dry matter/acre).Variety                            2000       2001       2002       Avg1                   4200 2.54 5.69 5.57 5.636420 2.32 5.65 5.60 5.63Phabulous 2.47 5.63 5.57 5.60Somerset 2.54 5.68 5.39 5.54DK134 2.67 5.51 5.45 5.485454 2.43 5.55 5.38 5.47GH 700 2.77 5.46 5.42 5.44A4230 2.69 5.50 5.28 5.39Multiplier 3 2.49 5.16 5.36 5.2654V54 2.49 5.47 4.93 5.20631 2.65 5.37 5.01 5.19645 II 2.67 5.28 4.84 5.0653Q60 2.36 5.31 4.80 5.05Feast+EV 2.62 5.00 5.10 5.056410 2.70 5.06 4.99 5.035312 2.71 5.33 4.67 5.00620 2.90 5.35 4.55 4.95Innovator+Z 2.63 4.98 4.71 4.84Vernal 2.40 4.84 4.71 4.77Defence+EV 2.38 4.94 4.01 4.48Mean 2.57 5.34 5.07 5.20LSD (5%)                     0.28         0.27         0.45         0.31                    1Averages include 2001–2002.Table 4. 2001 Nashua test yields (tons dry matter/acre).Variety                                              2001                          2002                    6410 3.07 7.08DKA42 15 2.83 7.05630 3.11 6.975454 2.88 6.92DK133 2.87 6.906420 3.26 6.89620 2.94 6.81WL342 3.13 6.7853Q60 3.04 6.6554V54 2.88 6.64Vernal 2.90 6.58Ameristand 403T 2.82 6.53Feast+EV 2.93 6.48645 II 2.90 6.40Innovator+Z 2.87 6.37Yielder 2.71 5.98Mean 2.94 6.74LSD (5%)                                      0.37                            0.56                      

Alfalfa Variety Testing

New varieties of alfalfa are released by commercial breeding companies each year. The Iowa State University forage breeding program, in conjunction with the Iowa Crop Improvement Association, tests commercially available varieties at five locations in Iowa, including at the Western Research Farm. Funding to conduct these tests is provided by entrants who pay a fee to have their varieties included. Our tests provide an unbiased comparison among cultivars deemed to be adapted to particular regions of the state by the companies.</p

Iowa State University, Western Research and Demonstration Farm                                                                             ISRF00-10Alfalfa Variety TestingE. Charles Brummer, associate professorMark Smith, research associateDepartment of AgronomyIntroductionNew varieties of alfalfa are released bycommercial breeding companies each year. TheIowa State University forage breeding program,in conjunction with the Iowa Crop ImprovementAssociation, tests commercially availablevarieties at five locations in Iowa, including atthe Western Research Farm. Funding to conductthese tests is provided by entrants who pay a feeto have their varieties included. Our testsprovide an unbiased comparison amongcultivars deemed to be adapted to particularregions of the state by the companies.Materials and MethodsA variety trial was planted in April 1998 with adrill at a rate of 18 lb/A. Each variety wasreplicated four times in a randomized completeblock design. Plot size was 3 ft x 12 ft. The testwas harvested three times in 1998, and fourtimes in 1999 and 2000 using a sickle barharvester. Fertility was maintained according toISU soil test recommendations. The test was notsprayed for potato leafhoppers.Results and DiscussionForage yields (in tons of dry matter per acre)were less in 2000 than in 1999 (Table 1). Whenchoosing varieties, several traits are important,including high yield, maintenance of yieldingability through the later years of a trial, anddisease resistance. More complete informationon the alfalfa variety trials, including seedsources and disease resistance profiles, areavailable in ISU Extension Bulletin AG-84 oronline at:http://www.public.iastate.edu/~brummer/extension.html.AcknowledgmentsWe thank Wayne Roush for his assistance andthe Iowa Crop Improvement Association forfunding the research.Table 1. Alfalfa variety test yields.                                                         Yield (tons dry matter/acre)Variety 1998 1999 2000 AvgaDK140 4.52 8.24 5.67 6.95Feast+EV 4.40 8.29 5.54 6.92DK142 4.25 8.14 5.69 6.91DK141 4.54 8.10 5.52 6.815454 4.09 8.07 5.53 6.80Baralfa 54 4.30 8.63 4.85 6.7453Q60 4.21 7.97 5.46 6.71Depend+EV 4.42 8.08 5.27 6.67Amerigraze 401 +Z 4.34 7.46 5.66 6.56Vernal 4.41 7.61 5.45 6.53Innovator +Z 4.43 7.32 5.58 6.45GoldPlus 4.09 6.80 4.90 5.85Mean 4.37 7.88 5.42 6.65LSD (P=0.05) 0.29 0.83 0.45 0.58aAverage of 1999 and 2000 only.

New varieties of alfalfa are released by commercial breeding companies each year. The Iowa State University forage breeding program, in conjunction with the Iowa Crop Improvement Association, tests commercially available varieties at five locations in Iowa, including at the McNay Research Farm. Funding to conduct these tests is provided by entrants who pay a fee to have their varieties included. Our tests provide an unbiased comparison among cultivars deemed to be adapted to particular regions of the state by the companies.</p

New varieties of alfalfa are released by commercial breeding companies each year. The Iowa State University forage breeding program, in conjunction with the Iowa Crop Improvement Association, tests commercially available varieties at five locations in Iowa, including at the Northeast Research Farm. Funding to conduct these tests is provided by entrants who pay a fee to have their varieties included. Our tests provide an unbiased comparison among cultivars deemed by the companies to be adapted to particular regions of the state.</p

Iowa State University, Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm                                                                        ISRF00–13Alfalfa Variety TestingE. Charles Brummer, associate professorMark Smith, research associateDepartment of AgronomyIntroductionNew varieties of alfalfa are released bycommercial breeding companies each year. TheIowa State University forage breeding program,in conjunction with the Iowa Crop ImprovementAssociation, tests commercially availablevarieties at five locations in Iowa, including atthe Northeast Research Farm. Funding toconduct these tests is provided by entrants whopay a fee to have their varieties included. Ourtests provide an unbiased comparison amongcultivars deemed by the companies to beadapted to particular regions of the state.Materials and MethodsVariety trials were planted in April 1997, 1998,and 1999 with a drill at a rate of 18 lb/A. Eachvariety was replicated four times. Plot size was3’ x 12’. The tests were harvested three times inthe year of establishment and four times peryear thereafter using a sickle bar harvester.Fertility was maintained according to ISU soiltest recommendations.Results and DiscussionForage yields in tons of dry matter per acre arereported for tests sown in 1997 (Table 1), 1998(Tables 2 and 3), and 1999 (Tables 4 and 5).Data for tests sown in 2000 will be reportedbeginning next year. In 1998 and 1999, a testthat was not sprayed to control potatoleafhoppers was planted (Tables 3 and 5). Whenchoosing varieties, several traits are important,including high yield, maintenance of yieldingability through the later years of a trial, anddisease resistance. More complete informationon the alfalfa variety trials, including seedsources and disease resistance profiles, areavailable in ISU Extension Bulletin AG-84 oronline at:http://www.public.iastate.edu/~brummer/extension.html.AcknowledgmentsWe thank Ken Pecinovsky for his assistance andthe Iowa Crop Improvement Association forfunding the research.Iowa State University, Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm                                                                        ISRF00–13Table 1.  Yield of alfalfa varieties planted in1997.                                                                         Yield (tons dry matter/acre)Variety               1997      1998      1999      2000      AvgaTMFGeneration 3.06 7.09 6.21 4.31 5.87Innovator +Z 3.17 6.76 5.92 4.55 5.75DK140 3.22 7.11 5.82 4.27 5.73DK142 2.88 6.99 5.61 4.58 5.73DK127 3.07 6.95 5.99 4.20 5.71AmeriGraze 3.12 6.66 5.95 4.47 5.69    401+ZNemesis 3.08 7.02 5.90 4.13 5.68Feast 2.88 6.73 5.95 4.37 5.68GH767 3.32 6.73 5.87 4.38 5.66620 3.05 6.51 6.09 4.37 5.665312 3.01 6.68 5.96 4.23 5.635454 2.86 6.89 5.67 4.23 5.60DK143 3.03 6.85 5.55 4.09 5.50Surpass 3.00 6.53 5.77 4.13 5.48Choice 3.15 6.75 5.39 4.28 5.47DK141 3.11 6.79 5.74 3.86 5.47Spur 2.98 6.98 5.35 3.97 5.43Rushmore 2.99 6.92 5.35 3.78 5.355347LH 2.93 6.63 5.31 3.68 5.21GH787 2.89 6.58 5.38 3.65 5.20AmeriGuard 2.84 6.47 5.17 3.62 5.09    301Interceptor 2.87 6.48 5.12 3.61 5.07Vernal                 3.17       5.82       5.07       3.69       4.86Mean 3.02 6.69 5.62 4.09 5.47LSD(5%)             0.26       0.37       0.59       0.41       0.31a Averages include only 1998-2000.Table 2.  Yield of alfalfa varieties planted in1998 and sprayed twice per year for potatoleafhopper control.                                                 Yield (tons dry matter/acre)Variety               1998      1999      2000      Avga5454 4.89 6.78 5.83 6.30ABT350 4.96 6.71 5.79 6.25Geneva 5.05 6.72 5.76 6.24DK140 5.00 6.73 5.53 6.13Yielder 4.89 6.36 5.87 6.11Mainstay 4.96 6.34 5.73 6.04Rainier 4.87 6.24 5.69 5.96DK142 5.21 6.24 5.63 5.94620 5.09 6.36 5.45 5.9153Q60 4.80 6.19 5.58 5.89DK141 5.39 6.34 5.37 5.85DK124 4.75 6.22 5.46 5.84Depend+EV 5.02 6.16 5.46 5.81Innovator +Z 5.04 5.96 5.43 5.70TMF421 4.85 6.04 5.29 5.66GH757 5.03 6.09 5.23 5.66Pristine 4.87 6.17 5.10 5.63645 4.95 5.89 5.19 5.54CleanSweep 4.76 6.02 5.01 5.52    1000DK134 5.05 5.82 5.07 5.44TMF4355LH 4.95 6.08 4.73 5.40Baralfa 54 4.68 6.17 4.56 5.36227LH 4.58 5.73 3.90 4.81Vernal                 4.60       4.99       4.51       4.75Mean 4.93 6.18 5.30 5.74LSD(5%)             0.33       0.48       0.47       0.36a Averages include only 1999-2000.Table 3.  Yield of alfalfa varieties planted in 1998and managed without spraying for potato leafhoppers.Yield (tons dry matter/acre)Variety                   1998      1999      2000      Avga5454 4.47 5.82 5.67 5.75TMF4355LH 4.90 5.86 5.17 5.52CleanSweep 4.57 5.55 4.86 5.21    1000Vernal 4.25 4.89 5.34 5.11227LH                    4.47       5.44       4.33       4.88Mean 4.74 5.59 4.98 5.28LSD(5%)                0.39       0.31       0.62       0.48a Averages include only 1999-2000.Iowa State University, Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm                                                                        ISRF00–13Table 4.  Yield of alfalfa varieties planted in1999 and sprayed twice per year for potatoleafhopper control.                                               Yield  (tons drymatter/acre)Variety               20009701 5.37Rebound 4.2 5.28645-II 5.26FQ315 5.18Trump 5.126420 4.97Geneva 4.8953Q60 4.85Abound 4.79DK142 4.78DK140 4.73Innovator +Z 4.67WinterGold 4.61DK124 4.60Vernal 4.595454 4.59GreenFeast 4.53DK134 4.505312 4.43Award 4.386410 4.33FQ314 4.24DK141                4.11Mean 4.74LSD(5%)             0.34Table 5.  Yield of alfalfa varieties planted in1999 and managed without spraying for potatoleafhoppers.                                                                  Yield  (tons drymatter/acre)Variety                      20005454 5.056310 4.82Vernal 4.80TrailBlazer 3.0 4.7354H69 4.71DK131HG 4.56Ameriguard 302+Z    4.34Mean 4.69LSD(5%)                   0.68

New varieties of alfalfa are released by commercial breeding companies each year. The Iowa State University forage breeding program, in conjunction with the Iowa Crop Improvement Association, tests commercially available varieties at five locations in Iowa, including at the Western Research Farm. Funding to conduct these tests is provided by entrants who pay a fee to have their varieties included. Our tests provide an unbiased comparison among cultivars deemed adaptable to particular regions of the state by the companies.</p

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Alfalfa Variety Testing

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Digital Repository @ Iowa State University (ISU)

Digital Repository @ Iowa State University (ISU)

Digital Repository @ Iowa State University (ISU)

Digital Repository @ Iowa State University (ISU)

Digital Repository @ Iowa State University (ISU)