Publication Date
1985
Location
Kyoto Japan
Description
The development of alfalfa cultivars with insect and disease resistance and the subsequent seed increase is usually a relatively slow process, but it can be rapid if certain key factors are followed as was done in the development of CUF 101, the first cultivar with resistance to the blue alfalfa aphid (Acyrthosiphon kondoi) (BAA). The BAA was identified as a new, damaging aphid species in about March, 1975. A severely damaged field of a well adapted cultivar was soon located and in April the parent plants of the new cultivar had been selected after a careful, systematic selection process. Breeders seed was available by the end of summer and by March, 1976, after data showed good BAA resistance and yield under an infestation of BAA, a 1. 7 ha seed field was planted with 454 g of seeds. By September, 1976, this field had produced 1653 kg of clean seed, and one year later this had been increased to 575,672 kg. The cultivar was shown to have resistance to two other aphids and two diseases and has been grown extensively in over 10 countries and used widely in breeding programs. Key factors were: 1. a workable plan, 2. selection in elite germplasm growing in a large, old field, 3. a good BAA infestation, 4. careful, systematic selection, 5. good parent plant survival and seed production, and 6. the confidence and unselfish outlook of key growers and the scientific team. The broad use of the selection procedures is discussed.
Citation
Lehman, W F.; Marble, V L.; and Nielson, M W., "Key Factors in the Rapid Development and Seed Increase of Alfalfa with Insect Resistance" (1985). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 15.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1985/ses2/15)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Key Factors in the Rapid Development and Seed Increase of Alfalfa with Insect Resistance
Kyoto Japan
The development of alfalfa cultivars with insect and disease resistance and the subsequent seed increase is usually a relatively slow process, but it can be rapid if certain key factors are followed as was done in the development of CUF 101, the first cultivar with resistance to the blue alfalfa aphid (Acyrthosiphon kondoi) (BAA). The BAA was identified as a new, damaging aphid species in about March, 1975. A severely damaged field of a well adapted cultivar was soon located and in April the parent plants of the new cultivar had been selected after a careful, systematic selection process. Breeders seed was available by the end of summer and by March, 1976, after data showed good BAA resistance and yield under an infestation of BAA, a 1. 7 ha seed field was planted with 454 g of seeds. By September, 1976, this field had produced 1653 kg of clean seed, and one year later this had been increased to 575,672 kg. The cultivar was shown to have resistance to two other aphids and two diseases and has been grown extensively in over 10 countries and used widely in breeding programs. Key factors were: 1. a workable plan, 2. selection in elite germplasm growing in a large, old field, 3. a good BAA infestation, 4. careful, systematic selection, 5. good parent plant survival and seed production, and 6. the confidence and unselfish outlook of key growers and the scientific team. The broad use of the selection procedures is discussed.
