Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Forage Seed and Cereal Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #107864
Title: REGISTRATION OF NMCOMP81-BAA1 ALFALFA GERMPLASM

Author
item Henning, John
item TOWNSEND, M. - NEW MEXICO STATE UNIV.
item CURRIER, C. - NEW MEXICO STATE UNIV.
item RAY, I. - NEW MEXICO STATE UNIV
item MELTON, B. - NEW MEXICO STATE UNIV.

Submitted to: Crop Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/31/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: This paper describes the germplasm entitled NMCOMP81-BAA1. NMCOMP81- BAA1 is an aphid resistant, high-yielding alfalfa variety that was developed for the southwestern United States of America. It is a 35 clone synthetic population comprising of 54% Chilean, 18% Turkistan, 11% African, 7% Indian with minor contributions from Flemish, M. varia, Peruvian, and Ladak and was developed via crossing in a honey bee aided isolated crossing block. One cycle of tandem selection using phenotypic recurrent selection was practiced for yield and BAA resistance. This germplasm has exhibited stable high yields at two different locations in NM with yields that were not statistically different from the highest yielding lines at both locations.

Technical Abstract: Aphids are a major pest in alfalfa production. Not only is yield reduced but also viruses are spread via infestation of this insect. Two aphids in particular are notoriously problematic in alfalfa production, the blue alfalfa aphid and the pea aphid. What is needed is germplasm that contains resistance to both pests coupled with high yields. The objective of this work was to develop germplasm that combined resistance to both aphid pests and high yield in the Southwestern United States. A 35 clone synthetic population comprising of 54% Chilean, 18% Turkistan, 11% African, 7% Indian with minor contributions from Flemish, M. varia, Peruvian, and Ladak was developed via crossing in a honey bee aided isolated crossing block. One cycle of tandem selection using phenotypic recurrent selection was practiced for yield and BAA resistance. The result was a population entitled, "NMCOMP81-BAA1". NMCOMP81-BAA1 is adapted to the southwest under irrigated conditions. This germplasm has exhibited stable high yields at two different locations in NM with yields that were not statistically different from the highest yielding lines at both locations.