SW9628

Dormancy 9 Alfalfa

A very high-yielding, non-dormant variety of alfalfa with resistance to Fusarium wilt, Phytophthora root rot, spotted alfalfa aphid, pea aphid, blue alfalfa aphid and root knot nematode.

Adaptation
SW9628 alfalfa is a very non-dormant variety, with a dormancy rating of 9. Growth is erect with rapid recovery after cutting. It is adapted to areas of warm and very hot temperatures from the Central San Joaquin Valley to the lower desert areas of California and Arizona.

Disease, Insect and Nematode Resistance
SW9628 is resistant to root knot nematode and spotted alfalfa aphid, resistant to Fusarium wilt, Phytophthora root rot, pea aphid and blue aphid. It also has low resistance to bacterial wilt and Anthracnose.

Uses
For hay production, SW9628 is adapted to areas of California and Arizona where non-dormant varieties are recommended. SW9628 was the highest yielding variety in the 3-year forage trial of 51 entries at the University of California Kearney Research Center, Parlier, California. It yields very well in the University of Arizona trials at Maricopa also.

Development
SW9628 was developed in the Parker Valley, Arizona and in the Central San Joaquin Valley of California. Breeder’s seed was produced on very salty soil in the Mendota, California area. SW9628 was synthesized from 135 plants and is a California Certified Variety.

Key Advantages

• Excellent yielding, persistent Group 9 dormancy variety. SW9628 took first place in University of Arizona Yield Trials 2009; in Imperial Valley, 3-year trial; and in 3-year trial of 51 entries at UC Kearney in Parlier.
• In UC trials, this variety has outproduced CUF 101 in the Imperial Valley and San Joaquin Valley by an average of 15.2% over a 3-year period.
• Very quick recovery after cutting. Competes well with Bermuda grass by shading the grass out.
• Suited to hot climates and to soils with nematode problems.
• Yields very well in the low desert, hot areas of the Southern San Joaquin Valley and Arizona.

Major Pest Resistance

• Fusarium Wilt – Resistant
• Phytophthora Root Rot – Resistant
• Spotted Alfalfa Aphid – Highly Resistant
• Pea Aphid – Resistant
• Blue Alfalfa Aphid – Resistant
• Southern Root Knot Nematode – Highly Resistant