Pioneer Hi-Bred provides high-quality varieties to help growers match field conditions

New alfalfa varieties from Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, offer growers more choices to meet their individual needs. This includes three new Pioneer® brand alfalfa varieties with the Genuity® Roundup Ready® (RR) gene, adding to Pioneer’s extensive variety lineup.

Pioneer recently advanced varieties with the Roundup Ready trait for planting this spring – 54VR03 (RR), 53VR03 (RR), 58R51 (RR) - stemming from the recent approval of Roundup Ready alfalfa for the U.S. market.

"Pioneer offers growers in all alfalfa-growing regions a number of varieties to meet their specific disease or insect challenges,” said Robin Newell, Pioneer marketing manager for forages. “Growers can choose from varieties with the Roundup Ready trait or conventional varieties including high-yielding, high-quality, non-lodging or winterhardy options.”

In addition to the 2011 advancements, Pioneer also offers two other options for spring planting, 54R01 (RR) and 54R02 (RR).

Pioneer alfalfa offerings with the Roundup Ready trait include:

• 54R01 (RR), broadly adapted, selected for high forage quality, including resistance to Aphanomyces race 1, anthracnose, Phytophthora root rot, Verticillium wilt and Fusarium wilt. It also is resistant to northern root rot nematode and stem nematode.

• 54R02 (RR), broadly adapted variety with high yield and an excellent disease package including resistance toAphanomyces race 1, anthracnose, Phytophthora root rot, Verticillium wilt and Fusarium wilt. Also resistant to spotted and pea aphids.

• 54VR03 (RR), adapted to western alfalfa-growing environments, has a strong defensive package with resistance to anthracnose, Phytophthora root rot, Aphanomyces race 1 and pea aphid.

• 53VR03 (RR) is a northern-adapted variety. This winterhardy variety is paired with a strong defensive package and has resistance to Aphanomyces race 1, anthracnose, Phytophthora root rot, Verticillium wilt and Fusarium wilt.

• 58R51 (RR) is a non-dormant option for the Southwest; this variety is resistant to spotted aphid, Phytophthora root rot, stem nematode and blue aphid 1.

"Alfalfa is no longer a one-size-fits-all crop,” Newell said. “Pioneer has a long tradition of providing its customers the broadest package of choices to fit their individual needs and help their bottom line. Adding the Roundup Ready technology to Pioneer alfalfa varieties adds yet another choice to our already extensive lineup."

The Roundup Ready trait enables growers to control grass and broadleaf weeds with a single glyphosate herbicide application, resulting in a simplified, cost-effective weed management program while maintaining crop and feed safety. This weed control program can lead to cleaner, higher-quality hay.