FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention is in the field of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) breeding, specifically relating to an alfalfa variety designated AFX134014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Alfalfa (Medicago sativaL., also known as lucerne) is one of the world's most valuable forage legumes. It is grown for hay, pasture and silage, and is valued highly as a livestock feed. Alfalfa is highly effective in nitrogen fixation and is frequently planted in crop rotation to replenish nutrients depleted from the soil by other crops such as corn.

Alfalfa originated in the Near East, in the area extending from Turkey to Iran and north into the Caucasus. From the great diversity of forms within the genusMedicago, two species,M. sativaandM. falcata, have become important forage plants. These species are mainly tetraploid, with 32 chromosomes, although diploid forms are known.

The commercial production of seeds for growing alfalfa plants normally involves four stages, the production of breeder, foundation, certified and registered seeds. Breeder seed is the initial increase of seed of the strain which is developed by the breeder and from which foundation seed is derived. Foundation seed is the second generation of seed increase and from which certified seed is derived. Certified seeds are used in commercial crop production and are produced from foundation or certified seed. Foundation seed normally is distributed by growers or seedsmen as planting stock for the production of certified seed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Provided is a novel alfalfa variety, designated AFX134014 and processes for making and using AFX134014. Seed of alfalfa variety AFX134014, plants of alfalfa variety AFX134014, plant parts of alfalfa variety AFX134014, and processes for making and using an alfalfa plant are provided. The plant part may comprise at least one cell of alfalfa variety AFX134014 or modified as described herein. Methods of breeding that comprise crossing alfalfa variety AFX134014 with another alfalfa plant are described. In one aspect, processes for making an alfalfa plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into AFX134014 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the alfalfa seed, plant and plant part produced by such introgression are provided. Plant cells and plants, seeds and plant parts comprising at least one cell of alfalfa variety AFX134014 or a locus conversion of variety AFX134014 are provided. Alfalfa seeds, plants or plant parts produced by crossing the alfalfa variety AFX134014 or an introgressed trait conversion of AFX134014 with another alfalfa population or variety. Alfalfa populations derived from alfalfa variety AFX134014 and processes for making other alfalfa populations derived from alfalfa variety AFX134014 are provided as well as the alfalfa populations and their parts derived by the use of those processes.

