SW404S is a blend of S&W alfalfa germplasm, containing an elite salt tolerant variety along with high yielding, winter hardy conventional alfalfa. Broad adaptability to both saline and non-saline growing conditions. Adapted to Plains and Western US FD4 growing areas.
Key Advantages
- Good establishment, yield and stand longevity in fields where irrigation water and/or soil contains moderate salt concentration
- Highly suitable for fields with saline spots where salt tolerance is helpful, but not needed across the entire field
- Adaptable where winter and spring precipitation drive salts down, but irrigation water applied later in the season has moderate salinity
- Includes a fall dormant salt tolerant variety bred in saline growing conditions and selected for the ability to maintain improved alfalfa production in saline soils
- Best-suited to fields with moderate saline growing conditions, and fields with variable saline conditions
- The blend of high yield plus salt tolerant germplasm can help boost yields during heavy spring growth after winter precipitation drives down soil salt concentration
- The salt tolerant component helps preserve more yield when soils become drier or when saline irrigation water affects salinity levels late in the growing season.
Major Pest Resistance
- Bacterial Wilt – Highly Resistant
- Fusarium Wilt – Highly Resistant
- Verticillium Wilt – Resistant
- Anthracnose – Highly Resistant
- Phytopthora Root Rot – Highly Resistant
- Aphanomyces (race 1) – Resistant
- Aphanomyces (race 2) – Resistant
- Pea Aphid – Highly Resistant
- Spotted Aphid – Resistant
- Stem Nematode – Resistant
- Root Knot Nematode – Highly Resistant
(Pest Resistance Rating Scale: Highly Resistant, Resistant, Moderately Resistant, Low Resistance, Susceptible)
Agronomic Traits
- DRI Score: 32/35
- Fall Dormancy: 4
- Yield: 8
- Winter Hardiness: Very Hardy