New for Western Growers – Improved salt tolerance with sound agronomics and 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.

• 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

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

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

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.

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
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

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.
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