Registration of 'Multistar' Alfalfa 'Multistar' alfalfa (Medicago saliva L.) (Reg. no. CV-193, P1 593650) was developed by FFR Cooperative and released in 1992. The cultivar was tested experimentally as A9004. Multistar is a 146-clone synthetic cultivar with parental clones selected for resistance to one or more of the following: bacterial wilt [caused by Clavibacter michiganense subsp. insidiosum (McCulloch) Davis et al. 1984], fusarium wilt [caused by Fusarium oxysponim Schlechtend.:Fr. f. sp. medicaginis (J.L. Weimer) W.C. Snyder & H.N. Hans.], phytophthora root rot [caused by Phytophthora sojae M.J. Kaufmann & J.W. Gerdemann; syn. P. medicaginis (Drechs.) E.M. Hans. & Maxwell], spotted alfalfa aphid [Therioaphis maculata (Buckton)], and tolerance to potato leafhopper yellowing [caused by Empoascafabae (Harris)]. Parent clones trace predominately to the cultivars Legend, Chief, Verta+, Edge, and Summit, with minor contributions from Salute, WL-316,5432, and 5444. Germplasm sources of Multistar include 5%M.falcata, 5% Ladak, 26% M. varia, 4% Turkistan, 53% Flemish, and 7% Chilean. Fall dormancy of Multistar is similar to that of 'Ranger'. Multistar is highly resistant to anthracnose (Race 1) (caused by Colletotrichum trifolii Bain & Essary), bacterial wilt, fusarium wilt, and phytophthora root rot and resistant to verticillium wilt (caused by Verticillium albo-atrum Reinke & Berthier), spotted alfalfa aphid, and stem nematode [Ditylenchus dipsaci (Kuhn) Filipjev]. Multistar has been tested and is adapted for use from the Upper Midwest through the mid-South production areas. Flower color is approximately 95% purple, 5% variegated, and a trace of cream, yellow, and white. About 54% of the plants exhibit some level of multifoliolate expression in the autumn regrowth. Seed increase is limited to one generation of breeder (Syn 1), two generations of foundation (Syn 2 or 3), and three generations of certified (Syn 2, 3, or 4) classes. Foundation seed production is limited to the northwestern USA. A maximum of 1, 3, and 5 harvest years is permitted on stands producing breeder, foundation, and certified seed, respectively. Multistar was favorably reviewed by the National Alfalfa Variety Review Board in 1993. Application was not made for U.S. plant variety protection.