Yellowhead
| Denomination: | 'Yellowhead' |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name: | Medicago sativa subsp. falcata |
| Applicant/Holder: |
Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Swift Current Research and Development Centre 1 Airport Road P.O. Box 1030 Swift Current, Saskatchewan S9H 3X2 Canada |
| Breeder: |
J. G. McLeod, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Swift Current, Saskatchewan |
| Agent in Canada: |
Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada Office of Intellectual Property and Commercialization c/o Shannon Whyte 107 Science Place Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 0X2 Canada Tel: (204) 999-9887 |
| Application Date: | 2005-06-08 |
| Application Number: | 05-4961 |
| Grant of Rights Date: | 2009-08-17 |
| Certificate Number: | 3558 |
| Grant of Rights Termination Date: | 2027-08-17 |
Variety Description
Varieties used for comparison: 'Anik' and 'Beaver'
Summary: 'Yellowhead' differs from the reference varieties, 'Anik' and 'Beaver' mainly in ploidy, height of fall re-growth, flower colour, pod shape and resistance to bacterial wilt (Corynebacterium insidiosum). 'Yellowhead' is a tetraploid whereas 'Anik' is a diploid. The fall re-growth of 'Yellowhead' is taller than that of 'Anik' and shorter than that of 'Beaver'. The flowers of 'Yellowhead' are predominantly yellow whereas they are predominantly yellow-orange in 'Anik' and predominantly variegated in 'Beaver'. The pods of 'Yellowhead' 97% sickle shaped whereas the pods of 'Beaver' are predominantly crescent-shape to coiled in two spirals (70%) with some coiled in one spiral (18%) and three (12%) spirals. 'Yellowhead' is moderately resistant to bacterial wilt (Corynebacterium insidiosum) whereas 'Anik' is susceptible and 'Beaver' is resistant.
Description:
PLOIDY: tetraploid
FALL GROWTH HABIT: 8% semi-prostrate, 70% intermediate, 22% semi-erect
STEM: no pubescence
FLOWER: 97% yellow, 3% yellow-green
ROOT: tap to rhizomatous to creeping, narrow crown
POD: 97% sickle shape, 3% crescent-shape to coiled in one spiral, no pubescence
REACTION TO DISEASES: moderately resistant to bacterial wilt (Corynebacterium insidiosum)
Origin & Breeding History: 'Yellowhead', tested as 'SCMF-3713', was developed by mass selection of Medicago falcata populations growing in the wild in the Swift Current, Saskatchewan area. Only plants with pure Medicago falcata flower colour were selected. Selected plants were polycrossed in a growth room and sterile plants were discarded. Further seed increases were carried out in the field at Swift Current and Melfort. Breeder seed plot was established in 1994. Subsequent re-selection for resistance to bacterial wilt took place for 3 cycles thereafter.
Tests & Trials: The tests and trials for 'Yellowhead' were conducted at the Semi-Arid Prairie Agricultural Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Swift Current, Saskatchewan during the summers of 2007 and 2008. Trials were arranged using a randomized complete block design (RCB) with four replicates per variety. Plots consisted of single rows of 30 plants spaced 1 metre apart within the row. Observations were based on a minimum of 60 plants.
Comparison tables for 'Yellowhead' with reference varieties 'Anik' and 'Beaver'
Mid-summer plant height (cm)
| 'Yellowhead' | 'Anik' | 'Beaver' | |
|---|---|---|---|
| mean | 48.1 | 43.3 | 61.1 |
| std. deviation | 10.8 | 10.6 | 8.1 |
Fall re-growth, natural plant height (cm)
| 'Yellowhead' | 'Anik' | 'Beaver' | |
|---|---|---|---|
| mean | 25.0 | 20.9 | 51.4 |
| std. deviation | 8.44 | 6.53 | 9.32 |
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Alfalfa: 'Yellowhead'
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Alfalfa: 'Anik'
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Alfalfa: 'Beaver'
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