ISURF is pleased to announce that one new orchardgrass population and two new alfalfa populations are being released for planting in 2007. Seed is available in small quantities for testing.
Orchardgrass population IADG101
IADG101 has shown excellent persistence under both continuous and rotational grazing at the ISU Rhodes Research Farm in an experiment planted in 2001 and evaluated under beef cattle grazing during 2002 and 2003. It was equal to or better than seven other orchardgrass cultivars evaluated. It is currently being evaluated for biomass yield and maturity. IADG101 is well adapted to Iowa conditions. It represents a germplasm potentially useful to improve grazing tolerance, winter survival and general adaptation to the upper Midwestern USA.
Alfalfa populations IAMF101 and IAMF102
The populations are yellow flowering alfalfa and have pods that range from sickle-shaped to single coiled.
Parental plants were selected based on yield performance, freedom from disease and insect pests, persistence, vigor, and autumn regrowth
IAMF101 and IAMF102 are genetically broad based germplasm that represents a complementary (heterotic) source to commercial alfalfa and may be useful for yield improvement in the crop. Testing for yield is underway throughout the northern US and Canada. Further breeding is needed to make this a commercially viable germplasm.
Small quantities of seed are available on a first come basis. A Research and Development agreement must be signed with ISURF prior to receiving seed.
If you are interested in discussing the arrangements for obtaining seed of the lines, please contact Julie Minot by phone (515-294-9442), fax (515-294-0778), or email ( jjgus@iastate.edu). You may also return the attached seed request form and a signed copy of the Research and Development agreement.
If you want to obtain additional information about the performance of the populations, please contact Dr. Charles Brummer, Crop and Soil Sciences Dept. Center for Applied Genetic Technologies, University of Georgia, 111 Riverbend Road, Athens, GA 30602-6810, phone 706-542-2461, email brummer@uga.edu.