PGI 427 Alfalfa

PGI 427 Alfalfa

Proven Genetic Innovation

New for Western Growers

s  Improved salt tolerance with sound agronomics

s  More profitable alfalfa acres

Variety Development

  • A variety tracing to high yielding western dormant alfalfas. The selected plants were screened with four cycles of salt water irrigation with the survivors being combined to become the variety.
  • During the breeding process, sound agronomics were maintained while improving salt tolerance.
  • A non-GMO variety.

Management Profile

  • Fits production zones where fall dormancy 3, 4 and 5 alfalfas are normally recommended
  • For fields where salinity limits yield and persistence. Growers should evaluate the variety under their salinity levels and field conditions to determine actual performance on their farm.
  • Improved establishment vigor and early seedling growth versus conventional alfalfas under salt stress.
  • Medium early maturity to one-tenth flower
  • Maximizes yield and milk per acre under 4 cuts per season management
  • A wheel traffic tested variety

PGI427 Yield Advantage

*Advantage after two seasons with six consecutive cuttings with 2 passes of abusive traffic after each cut

  • Average recovery rate after harvest versus conventional alfalfas

Field Appearance at Harvest Maturity

  • Medium tall, bushy plants with large leaves
  • Medium green foliage

Performance for the way you farm

Outstanding competitive yield when salinity is not a limiting factor

Competitive Yield

Consistent forage quality versus competitive alfalfas when salinity is not a limiting factor

Brand

Key Agronomic Characteristics

Fall Dormancy
4
Winter Hardiness Rating
2.5
Multifoliate Leaf Expression
84%
Wisconsin Disease Rating Index
29 of 30

Disease Rating

Ratings are based on average performance of the variety over a wide range of climate and soil types. Actual performance may be adversely affected by extreme conditions. Unless stated, ratings are based on standardized testing procedures endorsed by the North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference.

 

©2009 Producer's Choice Seed

Salt Tolerance

Increasing soil salinity has a negative effect on alfalfa  establishment, yield, forage quality and stand persistence
as demonstrated by the chart below.

Salinity (NaCl) Effect on
Alfalfa Production
Yield Production

MilliMolar

(mM Concentration)
Tap Water 0
Colorado River 15
Alfalfa yield reduction begins 22
Alfalfa emergence reduced 47
50% reduction in seeding alfalfa yield and emergence 88
50% reduction in established alfalfa yield 100
Alfalfa growth stops 175
Decreased alfalfa seed germination 220
Inhibites most alfalfa seed germination 352
Normal seawater salinity 599
Saline seeps +++

Source: University of Arizona

Screenings

Four cycles of screening were used to select the parent plants for PGI 427. During the screening
process, plant tissue was exposed to a 75 mM concentration of salinity in the irrigation water and seed to a
100 mM concentration. After four
screening cycles, the surviving plants were combined into a breeder’s cage to become the variety.


The resulting variety has a 22% yield drop off at the 75 mM
concentration versus a 50% or
greater yield reduction at these salt water concentrations for
conventional alfalfas.