Salt tolerance is the main strength of this variety. It also offers resistance to blue alfalfa aphids and Southern root knot nematodes. This variety, known for high yields under varying soil conditions, ranked in the top 10 in 13 university yield trials across the nation in 1999. Pioneer Hi-bred's lineup has some new alfalfa varieties with resistance to potato leafhoppers. The company has also developed the first inoculant specifically for alfalfa silage.
Protein quality is improved through reduction of ammonia-nitrogen loss.
Pioneer has several advanced corn silage hybrids. These include those with YieldGard and Liberty Link genes, others adapted to the Clearfield production system, and hybrids with combinations of herbicide resistance and Bt genes. Roundup Ready alfalfa. Although not yet available, alfalfa varieties with Roundup resistance should be on the market in three to four years. If consumers will accept transgenic plants, improvements in disease and pest resistance can be reached faster with the use of biotechnology, according to Becky Greenwald, Pioneer Hi-bred's product manager worldwide for alfalfa and forages.