Pioneer Hi-Bred Offers New Alfalfa Varieties for 2010

by Pioneer

Flowering alfalfa. USDA Photo by Keith Weller. DES MOINES, Iowa – Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is adding two new alfalfa varieties to its lineup for 2010. These new varieties offer additional protection from yield-robbing pests and diseases and also are applicable to many regions across North America. "Pioneer® brand varieties 55V12 and 54Q32 join a strong lineup of products that work well across many alfalfa-growing areas," says Mark Smith, Pioneer research scientist. Pioneer brand 55V12 offers a strong defensive package, is highly resistant to Phytophthora root rot and Aphanomyces root rot race 1 and is resistant to Aphanomyces root rot race 2. 55V12 offers added value by combining high yield with the non-lodging trait, allowing for a high harvestable yield. Independent research shows that 6 inches of stubble, at minimum, would create a loss of one-half ton per acre. "The non-lodging trait is important when harvest is delayed," Smith says. "Growers don’t want brown, dead stems left in the field to be picked up in subsequent harvests and this trait helps growers avoid that. The ability to maintain overall harvestable yield is what growers are looking for in an alfalfa product. They don’t want to lose their crop or have a decline in yield or quality due to field delays or hay that is lodged." Pioneer brand 54Q32 is categorized as a high-quality variety. Varieties in this group tend to be higher in forage quality by 10 to 15 relative forage quality (RFQ) points compared to other variety groups. The high-quality attribute allows for a wider harvest window while maintaining the quality and digestibility of the crop. This variety also has a strong agronomic package with high resistance levels to Phytophthora root rot and Aphanomyces race 1. Additionally, this variety is highly resistant to wilting disease. "54Q32 is a high-yield, higher-quality forage when harvest delays are frequent, holding quality longer into the cut cycle," Smith says. "Pioneer uses elite germplasm to select for high-quality traits. When this attribute is paired with a strong agronomic package, it makes for a sound variety." To learn more about alfalfa varieties, visit www.pioneer.com/forages or contact a local Pioneer sales professional. Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is the world’s leading source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics in nearly 70 countries. DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.