A. COVER PAGE CALIFORNIA CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION PROJECT PROPOSAL. Alfalfa Variety and Germplasm Adaptation and Evaluation (Continuing)

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1 A. COVER PAGE CALIFORNIA CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION PROJECT PROPOSAL PROJECT TITLE: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: OTHER INVESTIGATORS: Alfalfa Variety and Germplasm Adaptation and Evaluation (Continuing) Dan Putnam, Dept. of Plant Sciences University of California, Davis, CA fax Craig Giannini, Staff Research Associate, Plant Sciences, UC Davis, CA Chris DeBen, SRA, Plant Sciences, UC Davis Steve Orloff, Farm Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension-Siskiyou Co., Yreka, CA Francisco Maciel, Staff Research Associate, UC Research and Extension Center, El Centro, CA. Rafael Solorio, Ag. Technician, UC West Side Research and Extension Center, Five Points, CA Darrin Culp, Superintendent, IREC, Tulelake, CA Dale Pattigan, Asst. Superintendent, Kearney Research and Information Center, Parlier, CA BUDGET REQUESTED: 7/1/15-6/30/16 $39, SUMMARY: Since there were quite a few new trials planted last year that are in early stages, one new trial is planned for El Centro this year. This alfalfa variety yield testing program, supported by CCIA, is the most comprehensive of any state in the US. As an ongoing set of trials of a perennial crop, it enjoys support by clientele (farmers) as well as seed companies, and the data are widely used. We propose to continue to conduct approximately 9 trials in at 7 locations in California in , depending upon the level of support. This includes Tulelake, Scott Valley, Davis, Modesto, Parlier, Five Points, and El Centro. Depending upon funding, one new trial is planned for 2015 (El Centro), fall, to replace the existing trial. This program includes both released lines and experimental cultivars, with more than 7500 yield estimations/year. Funding requested this year funds only 44% of SRA at Davis the remainder of the support is for field station charges, additional labor needs, travel, supplies, equipment (including capital expenditures), web management and data analysis will be borne by contributions by seed companies or other grants. Results of these trials are reported at: and at field days and in end-of year publications. Variety trials continue to be of vital interest to growers and seed marketers in California, and CCIA is the key supporter of this program and without this support, the trials would cease.

2 B. OBJECTIVES: Primary Objectives: 1. To evaluate certified cultivar differences in alfalfa forage yield and persistence, and to communicate these results to clientele. 2. To develop and provide forage yield and performance data on alfalfa experimental germplasm to public and private alfalfa scientists. Secondary Objectives: 1. To quantify the interactions between agronomic practices and factors such as salinity, nutrient deficiencies, cutting schedule and other factors on yield, quality, and stand life. C. PROCEDURES: Scope. The UC Alfalfa Cultivar trials are designed to test the performance of varieties adapted to the various production zones in California. Only certified or soon-to-be certified cultivars sold on the market are tested; not blends or uncertified cultivars. This includes advanced experimental varieties. Also included in the trial are both public and proprietary cultivars and experimental germplasm. In 2014, we requested all released varieties be provided from seed bags produced commercially, to assure that the seed we tested was indeed the same seed that growers received. Varieties grown in these trials range from Fall Dormancy (FD) class 2-5 in the Intermountain areas (3 cut), to FD 3-8 in the Sacramento Valley (6-7 cut), FD 7-9 in the San Joaquin Valley (7-8 cut), and FD 8-11 in the Imperial Valley (9-11 cut). California is considered unique in the US due to the wide range of alfalfa cultivars that can be grown here. Summary of Variety Trial Sites to be managed in (name of the trial includes the year of planting): Regional cultivar and germplasm evaluation trials will be maintained at seven locations in California. These locations are representative of the different agro climatic zones in which alfalfa is grown in California (see sites below): 1. 10Tulelake. (Intermountain Research and Extension, Tulelake). This trial was established in August, 2010 with 32 varieties in 5 replications. This trial will be harvested in a 4 cut system during 2015 in its fifth full season. This trial is planned to be terminated fall of It is often considered beneficial to continue the intermountain trials for 4-5 years vs. 3 year on valley trials Tulelake. (Intermountain Research and Extension, Tulelake). This trial was established in August, 2013 with 48 varieties in 4 replications. Roundup-Ready lines were blocked separately. This trial will be harvested in a 4 cut system during This will be the second year of production Scott Valley. (Farmer s field, Scott Valley, CA). A new trial was established, Spring, 2012, with only Roundup-Ready alfalfa lines. This will be harvested through This trial is planned to be terminated fall of UCDavis (UC Davis Plant Sciences Farm). A new variety trial was established in September 30, 2014 with 36 varieties in 4 replications. We will begin data collection in This is typically a 6-7 cut system with FD ranging

3 from 4 through 9. The previous 3-year trial at UC Davis was terminated in the spring of Modesto (Stanislaus Farm Supply). A new variety trial was established in October 9, 2014 with 36 varieties in 5 replications. We will begin data collection in This is typically a 7 cut system with FD ranging from 6 through Kearney. (UC Kearney Ag. Center, Parlier, CA). This trial with 48 entries was established at the Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier in September 18, This trial will be harvested in an 8 cut system during 2015 in its second season WestSideSalinity. (West Side Research and Extension Center, Five Points). A new variety trial was established in October 9, 2014 with 36 varieties in 5 replications. We will begin data collection in This will include proper controls (salt tolerant and salt susceptible lines developed for greenhouse screening by seed companies) Imperial. (UC Desert Research and Extension Center, El Centro). This trial was established in the fall of 2012 with 36 varieties in 6 replications. This trial will be harvested at least 9 times in This trial is planned to be terminated fall of Imperial. (UC Desert Research and Extension Center, El Centro). We are planning to establish a desert trial in the fall of This trial will be harvested at least 9 times per year starting in early This trial will have fall dormancies ranging from 9 through 10. Management Methods: A standardized approach to field testing of alfalfa varieties will be used, utilizing a Randomized Complete Block Design with generally 4-6 replications. Field crop measurements have been developed over many years, and have been approved via national discussions during American Society of Agronomy meetings, and published by the North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference (NAAIC). Trials are harvested using a flail chopper experimental-type harvester at most locations, and a sickle-bar harvester at Davis. Trials are typically harvested for 3 years, with the exception of the intermountain trials, which are harvested for longer periods. It is estimated that 3 years is sufficient to estimate the relative yield potential over years. Stand longevity estimates are limited during this time, but stand counts will nevertheless be taken. The above primary objectives are combined within the same experimental protocol, so that emerging new breeding lines may be evaluated concurrently with established cultivars. Eligibility of Varieties. Varieties from private seed companies and public agencies (UC, other land-grants) are eligible for entry into these trials. This includes released varieties as well as cultivars which are sufficiently advanced to be eligible for released within a few years of completion of the trial. Both Roundup-Ready alfalfa varieties and experimental lines and conventional lines are eligible, with the exception of Imperial Valley locations there are prohibitions on planting Roundup-Ready alfalfa lines at that location. Plot Size and protocol: All of these trials have been established according to a standardized protocol. These protocols have been discussed at American Society of Agronomy meetings, and have been worked out over the years to accommodate

4 statistical and experimental standards as well as practical considerations. It is highly desirable to standardized plot technique across national locations, since both growers and seed companies use multiple-location data across states. Size of plot is approximately 3 x 18-20, or 4 X 20, depending upon specific field location and harvesting system. After long discussion about the virtues of various plot designs, and the advantages and disadvantages of different designs, we have settled on a design which includes harvesting the entire plots. This has the advantage of smaller block size, and also more efficiency in the handling of excess material. Planting, Cutting Schedules, irrigation practices, and pest management: Most of our trials were planted using a grain drill type planter mounted with a cone-type distributor which provides optimum distribution of seed within an approximately 3 X 25 foot plot area (new trials at UC Davis have been planted with a 4 X 20 plot size, and some modification of this approach is used in different locations see discussion on plot size above). Practices for these trials follow as close as possible to the cutting schedules, irrigation practices, and pest management most common to the region where they are conducted. Data Analysis: A significant part of our expense is data management, computer hardware and software, labor, and statistical consulting necessary to manage such large amounts of data. Our yield results reports contain tables, each one with about means for yield or stand count data. Each year, we compile, enter, calculate, and analyze the data from over 8,000 individual yield observations. Each number is checked three times. These data are summarized in the fall of each year, typically within a one-month time frame. Education and Outreach. These data are usually completed by November or early December, and placed as soon as possible on the Web as a preliminary report. Data from each of the locations is compiled at the end of the season and published annually in an Agronomy Progress Report. This is normally done the first week in December, or in January of the following year. Presentations on the results of these trials will be made at the annual Field days, which are planned for Davis (May), Kearney (August- September), El Centro (April), Tulelake (August), Modesto (summer), West Side (various) and other Intermountain areas (August). These variety trials provide a central focus for discussion of a number of other important management issues including pests, diseases, forage quality, irrigation methods, salinity issues and cutting strategy. Presentations of this data are also made at several winter meetings arranged by Farm Advisors or Specialists. In our view, an important component of the testing process is outreach. Internet Access. The cultivar trial reports are available continuously on the World Wide Web through the Alfalfa Workgroup Site. This should increase the visibility of the California Testing program nationally and internationally. The site is: and once at this site click on Alfalfa Varieties link on the bottom of the page. Database. The continued maintenance and improvement of data management techniques and web-based variety selection tools, is an important goal of this project.

5 We have maintained a database of California alfalfa variety results going back 40 years. Variety Response under higher EC conditions Salt Tolerance Trial. A new variety trial was established in October 9, 2014 with 36 varieties in 5 replications at West Side Field Station. This trial will enable us to test a limited number of lines under both high and medium salinity conditions, and to provide yield data to the public on lines that have recently been developed by seed companies. We have set up additional infrastructure of a new pump for a saline well, a reservoir (with a contributed high-quality liner), and distribution pumps and gated pipe to be used for this trial. We have also provided a site for the genetics companies, with an interest in this issue, to provide incentives for them to screen new lines. This is an integral component of the alfalfa variety evaluation program, in our view, since it begins to address a major issue for the state. Salinity Trial - West Side Field Station < > to levy: < > < > < > < > < > < > < > < > 5 Low 5 High 5 High 5 High 5 High 5 High 5 High 6 High 6 < ' planted > UC Trial UC Trial FGI FGI S&W S&W FGI FGI Pipe Delivery Area Whole area is approximately 264' (width of range) x 120' Each individual basin 33' (levy to levy) with planted area 27' wide, 120' long (6' for levy's) EXCEPT for UC trial -0 36' planted, 42' levy to levy. Mixing Pump Reservoir Reservoir Variety Response to Irrigation Deficits under Drip Irrigation New trials were established at El Centro and Davis to examine the interaction between irrigation deficits and varieties under drip irrigation. Although this project is largely funded through other grants, a description is provided here for the information of the committee. 15 lines were planted at El Centro and Davis in a randomized plot design (split plot) at 4 different irrigation schedules: 1) Full, 2) 50% Deficit (halting irrigations midsummer at 50% of full ET), 3) 25% of full irrigation (halting irrigations later in season at 75% of full ET), 4) 25% of full irrigation (halting irrigations at 50% of ET, and applying

6 deficits for remainder of season to meet 75% ET requirement). Yields will be determined and the interactions between variety and irrigation estimated. See below layout for El Centro. B B B B B B B F B B B B B B B B B B B B B B F B B B B B B B B B B B B B B F B B B B B B B B B B B B B B F B B B B B B B B B B B B B B F B B B B B B B B B B B B B B F B B B B B B B B B B B B B B F B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B F B B B B B B B B B B B B B B F B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B F B B B B B B B B B B B B B B F B B B B B B B B B B B B B B F B B B B B B B < > Each Plot planted 17' x 3' wide. Drip lines run perpendicular to plots. List of Treatments Drip lines installed at 40" spacing, running E-W with 2 N-S delivery lay-flats. 1 Irrigation I (Full) 2 Irrigation II (75%) - Cold Turkey 1 CUF T701 Planting Date: 3 Irrigation III (75%) - Continual Deficit 2 NuMex Bill Melton T288 4 Irrigation IV (50%) Cold Turkey 3 AFX NexGro 6906N (96T706) 4 AFX Artesia Sunrise 5 HybriForce Sunquest (FG96T707) 6 HybriForce UC Cibola 7 SW10 15 Highline 8 S8421S < > <-8-> <-8-> <-8-> < > <-6-> Need 75 laterals running East-West <-6->

7 D. JUSTIFICATION Field evaluation is a critical aspect of variety improvement. The information we develop about the performance of these materials provides growers, companies, and farm advisors with a realistic assessment of the potential of each cultivar. It provides an independent evaluation of proprietary and public varieties, and also provides a historical record of the progress in improving performance. Materials in each trial are all certified cultivars that are commonly sold in the region or cultivars likely to be certified in the near future. CCIA, in their continued support of this project, has aided greatly in the development of information on yield potential of alfalfa cultivars. The Intermountain California data is used throughout the Pacific Northwest and other cooler areas for variety adaptation information. The desert data from California is used in Arizona, and the desert Southwest, as well as an indicator for other non-dormant regions of the world, for example Argentina, South America, Australia and the Middle East. Growers depend on University data to help make variety choices, and to check on information supplied by companies. The California Alfalfa Variety Testing Program is probably the largest and most comprehensive of any western state, with locations to represent the widely divergent environments in California. Industry plant breeders enter experimental cultivars in the trials to obtain performance data for further breeding. These data can be used as documentation in applications for cultivar approval by the Alfalfa Variety Review Board and for Plant Variety Protection. Alfalfa cultivar selection sets the upper genetic potential for crop yield and other performance traits. What is the potential impact of variety, or the genetic component of crop performance for alfalfa in California? The average difference (top-to-bottom) due to variety in these trials totaled 6 Metric tons/ha/year (2.6 tons/acre), or 30% of the trial means over about 400 location/years of testing. The differences between regions are seen, with greater differences in the Central Valley sites and fewer differences in the intermountain and desert regions. The average total economic and value of California alfalfa over 30 years was calculated be $1.065 billion dollars (in 2009 dollars) per year, using USDA and Economics Research data price data, so if 30% of potential alfalfa yield can be from genetic differences (data from our trials), $319 million of the potential value might be due to genetic differences each year. E. BUDGET BUDGET NARRATIVE AND JUSTIFICATION: We request only 40% year support for an SRA to run and manage these trials. Although costs for this program require longerterm commitments (e.g. 3-year planting decisions, commitment to staff, and machines that must be amortized over a longer period), all sources of funding for this project are on a year-to-year basis. We must also anticipate major capital expenditures, particularly the experimental harvesters for this ongoing program (the next one is likely to be about $80,000), and figure out methods of funding those given the year-to-year nature of the funding. All other support for these trials must be born by seed company donations or by other projects. The budget request for this year is similar to previous year s requests.

8 2015 Alfalfa Variety & Germplasm Testing Budget July 1, 2015-June 30, 2016 Personnel: Staff Research Associate (44% time) (1) $ 22,536 Benefits $ 11,493 Subtotal A $ 34,029 Operating Expenses: Travel (2) $ - Field Station Charges (3) $ 2,000 Miscellaneous field supplies (4) Equipment Maintenance (5) $ 3,500 Computer/Web Support/Outreach (6) $ - Total Budget $ 39,529 Notes and Justification: 1. Personnel (per year) SRA salary at 44% time. *SRA II Salary UC Davis (per month) $ 4,695 Benefits for SRA II July (51.1%) $ Travel to and from sites for management (covered by donations from seed companies) 3. Field Station Charges (will likely be $2000/site, with 5 sites requiring fundingremainder will be covered by seed companies) 4. Field Supplies (stakes, flags, bags, misc. - to be covered by donations from seed companies) 5. Equipment maintenance (all equipment is old and requires maintenance to be serviceable--to be covered partially by this grant, and by donations from seed companies) 6. Computer/Web Support (software to analyze data, student assistance for data entry, web design and maintenance, to be covered by donations from seed companies) F. APPROVALS: Daniel H. Putnam Date Chris Van Kessel, Chair Date CE Agronomist Department Chair Plant Sciences, UCD Plant Sciences, UCD