Nampa, Idaho< USA
 January 21, 2011

America’s Alfalfa is releasing a new Traffic Tested® alfalfa variety called AmeriStand 445NT. Growers will benefit from its excellent yield potential and high stem and root knot nematode resistance. Nematodes enhance other common diseases, such as bacterial wilt and Phytophthora Root Rot, in alfalfa. Stem Nematodes are the most serious nematodes for alfalfa causing “white flags” or pale leaf tissue by destroying chloroplasts. Once established stem nematodes can severely limit productivity for two or three years.

“Having nematode protection in the Intermountain West is very important with frequent losses from the disease affecting large parts of Washington, Wyoming, Colorado and California,” says Dwight Tuttle, America’s Alfalfa national brand manager. “The resistance from nematodes and the durability of this variety really make it a hearty choice for the Intermountain West region.”

In three-year trials, AmeriStand 445NT consistently beat the trial averages. In Nampa, Idaho; Basin City, Washington; and Fruita, Colorado; AmeriStand 445NT yielded 113 percent, 113 percent and 112 percent, respectively, of the trial average. This variety’s excellent stand persistence, 4-5 cuttings and very fast recovery allow it to produce well for growers.

AmeriStand 445NT has high resistance to five other diseases to go along with the high resistance of nematodes, and good resistance to Pea Aphid, Verticillium wilt and Aphanomyces Root Rot. It has a fall dormancy of 4 that allows it to produce longer in the colder climates and a winterhardiness of 2.5.

AmeriStand 445NT also comes with the same great Traffic Tested® traits growers have come to expect from America’s Alfalfa. AmeriStand 445NT continues to produce under the pressures of grazing, equipment and manure applications.

America’s Alfalfa is the only national brand offering dormant and non-dormant Traffic Tested® varieties and other proprietary innovations. Bred to yield under pressure, AmeriStand varieties are named for their ability to stand under forces of wheel traffic, weather, diseases, pests, grazing and even manure applications.
Learn about alfalfa and our varieties at the Alfalfa University on the America’s Alfalfa website. www.americasalfalfa.com, where you can watch audio-visual presentations.

Website: http://www.americasalfalfa.com

Published: January 22, 2011