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Rio Grande:
Quick Look:
High Phytophthora Resistance
Stem Nematode Resistance
High Yield
High Forage Quality
Larger Leaves &
Finer Stems
High Aphid Resistance
Resistant to 11 Pests
Long Life Stand
Fall Dormancy rating: 8.2
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Adaptation
Rio Grande is fast growing, moderately winterhardy alfalfa variety with a fall dormancy rating of 8.2.
Rio Grande is especially well adapted to the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys of California; Southern Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Texas, Gulf Coast States, and the Southeastern U.S.A.
Breeding
Rio Grande was developed from cross between the fast growing, high yielding, winter active alfalfas of the desert Southwest and cold hardy, high quality, disease resistant alfalfas of the humid east.
Rio Grande successfully combines the benefits of both parents. Like its winter active parent, it grows tall and upright, recovers rapidly after cutting and produces excellent yield. Yet
Rio Grande also possesses the high forage quality and advanced pest resistance of its winterhardy parent. In the final stages of selection,
Rio Grande was selected for the highest level of resistance to Phytophthora root rot. With
Rio Grande you get top yields, High Forage Quality, and excellent persistence.
High Phytophthora Resistance:
Rio Grande has the highest level of Phytophthora root rot resistance available in alfalfa.
Rio Grande has the highest level of Phytophthora root rot resistance available in alfalfa.
Rio Grande has been selected for high resistance to Phytophthora root rot after exposing potential parent plants to high root rot pressure in extremely wet, heavy soils. We selected only the best, disease free plants for inclusion in the new variety. You can depend on
Rio Grande for protection against Phytophthora.
Stem Nematode Resistance: The stem nematode is becoming a serious problem in areas where alfalfa is grown under irrigation. Genetic resistance prevents the nematode from laying eggs, thus limiting it reproduction and spread.
Rio Grande provides excellent resistance to the stem nematode.
High Aphid Resistance: Rio Grande has high resistance to the Pea aphid, Blue alfalfa aphid, and the spotted alfalfa aphid. These aphids destroy stands and reduce hay yield and quality.
Rio Grande provides excellent resistance against all three aphids.
Top Quality Forage: Rio Grande has been bred to produce higher quality forage. This variety can be recognized by its dark green color, large leafs, and fine stems. Three factors make
Rio Grande quality alfalfa:
Larger Leaves & Finer Stems: Rio Grande has larger leafs and finer stems than other class 8 alfalfa varieties. These characteristics give
Rio Grande hay a more leafy appearance and Higher Quality. You can see the difference when break open a bale.
Better Leaf Retention: Rio Grande’s excellent disease resistance allows it to hold it’s leafs better. Leaf diseases like anthracnose causes leaf loss on the growing plant and leaf shatter in the windrow.
Rio Grande’s resistance to anthracnose and other leaf and stem diseases allow it to hold its leaves better resulting in a higher quality bale of hay.
Fast Growing: Because it grows rapidly, it can be cut frequently to produce a soft, high protein hay or greenchop.
Rio Grande can be harvested 6-10 times per year. Frequent harvest produces higher quality forage.
BOTTOM LINE: Higher Quality means Greater Profit for you!
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