INDIA
ITG/06
Date:3-5-2003
National Guidelines
for the Conduct of Test for
Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability
Pearlmillet
(Pennisetum glaucum (L.)R. Br.)
   

Contents
I. Subject
II. Material required
III. Conduct of tests
IV. Methods and observations
V. Grouping of varieties
VI. Characteristics and symbols
VII. Table of characteristics
VIII. Explanations on the table of characteristics
IX. Technical questionnaire
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I.     Subject 

 These test guidelines apply to all varieties, hybrids and parental lines of pearlmillet (Pennisetum               glaucum                (L.)R.Br.)

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II.   Material required

  1. The Plant Variety Protection (PVP) Authority decides when, where and in what quantity and quality of the seed and the plant material required for testing the variety is to be delivered. Applicants submitting material from a country other than India must make sure that all customs formalities are complied with. The minimum quantity of seed to be supplied by the applicant should be:

    Variety and hybrid  -      1000 grams In one submission only
    Parental line            -      500 grams

     

  2. The seed should meet the minimum requirements for germination capacity, moisture content and physical purity prescribed for certified seed in India. Especially for storage, which requires a higher standard, the applicant should state, the actual germination capacity. The seed supplied should be visibly healthy, not lacking in vigour or affected by any important pest or disease.
      

  3. The plant material must not have undergone any treatment unless the PVP Authority allows or requests such treatment.  If, it has been treated full details of the treatment must be given.

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iII.   Conduct of tests

 

1.    The minimum duration of tests should normally be two independent similar growing seasons with reference to the ecosystem of the variety submitted for DUS test.

2.     The tests should normally be conducted at two test locations.  If any important characteristics of the variety can not be seen at these places, the variety may be tested at an additional place.

3.     The field tests should be carried out under conditions ensuring normal growth.  The size of the plots should be such that plants or parts of plants may be removed for measurement and counting without prejudice to the observations which must be made up to the end of the growing period. Each test should include at least a total of 300 plants. Separate plots for observation and for measurement can only be used if they have been subjected to similar environmental conditions.

Test plot design :

Number of rows :  4
Row length :  4m
Row to row distance :  60cm
Plant to plant  distance :  15cm
Number of replications :  3

               

4.       Observations should not be recorded on plants in border rows.

5.       Additional tests for special purpose may be established.

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Iv.    Methods and observations

1.     The characteristics described in the Table of characteristics should be used for the testing of varieties, inbred lines and hybrids for DUS

2.    All observations for assessment of distinctness and stability should be made on 30 plants (10 plants per replication) for parental lines and hybrids and on 60 plants (20 plants per replication) for varieties.

3.       For the assessment of uniformity of characteristics on the plot as a whole (visual assessment by a single observation of a group of plants or parts of plants), the number of aberrant plants or parts of plants should not exceed 6 in 100 for varieties and three in parental lines and hybrids.

4.      Leaf characteristics should be observed on 4th leaf from top.

5.      Spike, leaf, node and internode characteristics should be observed on primary tiller of the plant.  

6.     For the assessment of colour characteristics, it is recommended that Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) colour chart is used.

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V.      Grouping of varieties

1.    The collection of varieties to be grown should be divided into groups to facilitate the assessment of distinctness.  Characteristics which are suitable for grouping purposes are those which do not vary, or to vary only slightly, within a variety.  Their various states of expression should be fairly evenly distributed throughout the collection.

2.     It is recommended that the testing organisation/centre use  the following characteristics  for grouping varieties :

i)                    Plant  : time of spike emergence (characteristic 3)

ii)                   Anther: colour (characteristic 8)

iii)                 Spike : shape (characteristic 19)

iv)                 Plant  : height (excluding spike) (characteristic 21)

v)                  Seed  : shape (characteristic 25)

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VI.    Characteristics and symbols

1.     To assess distinctness, uniformity and stability, the characteristics and their states as given in the Table of characteristics should be used.

2.     Notes (1 to 9), for the purpose of electronic data processing are given opposite the states of expression of different characteristics.

3.       Legend :

(*)

Characteristics should be used on all varieties in every growing season over which examinations are made and always be included in the variety descriptions, except when the state of expression of a preceding characteristic render this impossible.

 

(+)

Characteristic is illustrated by explanation or drawing in chapter VIII.

 

  1. The optimum stage of plant growth for assessment of each characteristic is indicated by a number in the sixth column of Table of Characteristics.
  1. Type of assessment of characteristics indicated in column 7 of Table of characteristics is as follows.

 

 

Type of assessment

MG

:

Measurement by a single observation  of a group of plants or parts of plants

MS

:

Measurement of a number of individual plants or parts of plants

VG

:

Visual assessment by a single observation  of a group of plants or parts of plants

VS

:

Visual assessment by  observation of individual plant or parts of plants

 

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VII. Table of characteristics

Sl. No.

Characteristics

 

States 

Note

Example
varieties

Stage of observation

Type of assessment

1.
(*)

Plant: anthocyanin coloration of first leaf sheath

Absent
Present

1
9

841B, H-77/833-2
842B, ICMA 88004

seedling emergence

VS

2.

Plant : growth habit

Erect
Intermediate

1
5

842 B, J 2296
H 77/833-2, Pusa 23, D 23

spike emergence

VG

3.
 (*)

Time of spike emergence (50% plants with atleast one spike emerged fully)

very early (<43 days)

early (43-46 days)
medium (47-50 days)
late (51-54 days)

very late (>54)

1

3
5
7

9

H 77/833-2 , HHB 67
ICMH 356
Pusa 23, Pusa 605
GHB 316, ICMH 451

spike emergence

VG

4.

Leaf : sheath pubescence

absent
present

1
9

842B, 841B

spike emergence

VG

5.

Leaf: sheath length

short (<11 cm)

medium (11-15 cm)

long (>15 cm)

   3

5

 7

J 2296, H 77/833-2, ICMB 88004
ICMR 356, D 23, ICMH 356
842B, Pusa 23

spike emergence

MS

6.

Leaf : blade length

very short(<41 cm)
short (41-50 cm)

medium (51-60 cm)

long (61-70 cm)

very long (>70 cm)

1
 3

5

7

9

 
H 77/833-2,
ICMB 88004
842B, 841B, D 23
ICMP 423,
PPMI 69, Pusa 23
RHRBH 892,
RHRBI 458  

spike emergence

MS

7.

Leaf : blade width  (at widest point)

narrow (<3 cm)

medium (3-4 cm)
broad (>4 cm)

3

 5
7

H 77/833-2,
ICMB 88004
842B, D 23
841A, Pusa 23,
ICMH 423

spike emergence

MS

8.
(*)

Spike : anther colour

Yellow

Brown
purple

1

 
2
3

HHB 94, G73-107, RHRBI 458
842B, 81B

anthesis

VG

9.
(*)

Plant : node pubescence

absent

present

1

9

H 77/833-2, 842 B
841B, D 23

dough grain

VG

10.

Plant: number of nodes

low (<11)
medium (11-15)
high (>15)

3
5
7

 

dough grain

MS

11. (*)

Plant: node pigmentation

Whitish
Green

Brown
Red
Purple

1
2

3
4
5

 
H 77/833-2, 841B, Pusa 23


842B, ICMH 356

dough grain

MS

12. (*)

Plant: internode pigmentation (between 3rd and 4th node from top)

Whitish
Green

Brown
Red
Purple

1
2

3
4
5

 
H 77/833-2, Pusa 23

 
ICMH 356, ICMB 88004

dough grain

VG

13.

Spike: exsertion

Partial
Complete

1
2

 

dough grain

VS

14.
(*)

Spike: length 

very small (<11 cm)
small (11-20 cm)
medium (21-30 cm)
long (31-40 cm)
very long (>40 cm)

1
3
5
7
9

 

dough grain

MS

15.
(*)

Spike: anthocyanin pigmentation of glume

absent

   
present

1

 
9

RHRB 1A,
RHRBI 138,
RGRBI 458
H 77/833-2, Pusa 23, D 23

dough grain

VG

16.

Spike: bristle

Absent
present

1
9

Pusa 23, D23
ICMP 451, ICMH 451, MB 110

dough grain

VG

17.
(*)

Spike: bristle colour

Green

Brown
Red
Purple

1

2
3
4

ICMP 451,
ICMH 451

 
RHRBI 138
RHRBI 458

dough grain

VS

18.
 (*)

Spike: girth at maximum point (excluding bristles)

thin (<1.6 cm)
medium (1.6-3.0 cm)
thick (>3.0 cm)

3
5
7

 

dough grain

MS

19.
 (*)
(+)

Spike: shape

Cylindrical

Conical
 Spindle

Candle
lanceloate
dumb-bell
club
oblanceolate
globose

1
 
2
3

4
5
6
7
8
9

H 77/833-2, Pusa 23, D23
842B, ICMP 423
HHB 67, PT 1890, G 73-107

 

 

dough grain

VG

20.
 (*)
(+)

Plant: number of productive tillers

monoculm
low (2-3)
medium (4-6)
high (>6)

1
3
5
7

HTP 94/54

dough grain

MS

21.
(*)

Plant: height (excluding spike)

very short (<101 cm)
short (101-150 cm)
medium (151-200 cm)
tall (201-250 cm)
very tall (>250 cm)

1
3
5
7
9

81B, 842B,843B

dough grain

MS

22.

Spike: tip sterility

absent
present

1
9  

 

harvest maturity

VS

23.
(*)

Spike: density

very loose
loose
semi-compact
compact
very compact

1
3
5
7
 9

 


HHB 117, 77/29-2
HMS 10A

harvest maturity

VG

24.
 (*)

Seed: colour

whitish
cream
yellow
grey
deep grey
grey brown
yellow brown
purple
purplish black

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

 

842B, D 23

PPMI 69
81B, HHB 67

 

harvest maturity

VG

25.
 (*)
 (+)

Seed: shape

obovate
 elliptical
hexagonal
globular

1
2
3
4

842B, Pusa 23

 
843B, HHB 67

harvest maturity

VG

26.
 (*)

Seed: weight of 1000 grains

very low (<5 gm)
small (5.1-7.5 gm)
medium (7.6-10.0 gm)
bold (10.1-12.5 gm)
very bold (>12.5 gm)

1
3
5
7
9

 

harvest maturity

 


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VIII.  Explanations on the table of characteristics

Characteristics 19. Spike: shape

   1
cylindrical		 2
conical		 3
spindle		 4  
candle		 5
lanceolate
  6
  dumb- bell		 7
club		 8
oblancolate		 9
globose

Characteristics 20. Plant: number of productive tillers

Number of spikes bearing seeds. Spikes younger than the dough stage are not counted.

Characteristics 25. Seed: shape
1
obovate		 2
elliptical

3 
 hexagonal

4
globular


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IX. Technical questioner

 

Reference Number
(not to be filled in by the applicant)
 

Technical questionnaire  
to be completed in connection with an application for plant breeders' rights  

 
1. Species:                                                           Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.
                                                                                        Pearlmillet

 

 
2.      Applicant (Name and address) :  

 

 

 
3.  Proposed denomination or breeder's reference

  

 

  

4.  Information on origin, maintenance and reproduction of the variety

 

4.1 Type of material

(i)                 inbred line ( )
(ii)               hybrid  ( )
(iii)             open-pollinated variety ( )
(iv)             other (indicate formula) ( )

                                                

4.2    Pedigree of proposed variety/line 


 

4.3  Other Information

 

 

 

5. Characteristics of the variety to be indicated (the number in brackets refers to the corresponding characteristic in Test Guidelines; please mark the state of expression which best corresponds).  
S.No. Characteristics States Example varieties  Notes

5.1
(3)

 Plant: time of spike emergence

Very early (<43 days)
Early (43-46 days)
Medium (47-50 days)
Late (51-54 days)

Very late (>54 days)

H 77/833-2, HHB 67
ICMH 356
Pusa 23, Pusa  605
GHB 316, ICMH 451

1 [ ]

3 [ ]
5 [ ]

7 [ ]

9 [ ]

5.2
(8)

 Spike : anther colour

Yellow

Brown
Purple

HHB 94, G73-107, RHRBI 458
842B, 81B

1 [ ]

2 [ ]
3 [ ]
5.3
(19)		 Spike: shape

Cylindrical

Conical
Spindle
  
Candle
Lanceloate 
Dumb-bell
Club
Oblanceolate
Globose

H 77/833-2, Pusa 23, D23
842B, ICMP 423
HHB 67, PT 1890, 
G 73-107

 

1 [ ]

2 [ ]
3 [ ]

4 [ ]
5 [ ]
6 [ ]
7 [ ]
8 [ ]
9 [ ]

5.4.
(21)

Plant: height (excluding spike)

Very short (<101 cm)
Short (101-150 cm)  
Medium (151-200 cm)  
Tall (201-250 cm)  
Very tall (<250 cm)

81B, 842B, 843B

1 [ ]
3 [ ]
5 [ ]
7 [ ]
9 [ ]
5.5.
(25)		 Seed: shape

Obovate
Elliptical
Hexagonal
Globular

842B, Pusa 23


843B, HHB 67

1 [ ]
2 [ ]
3 [ ]
4 [ ]
6. Similar varieties and differences from these varieties  

Denomination of
Similar variety

Characteristic in
which the similar variety is different 0)

State of expression of similar Variety

 State of expression of candidate variety
                          
0)  In the case of identical states of expressions of both varieties, please indicate the size of the difference.  

7. Additional information which may help to distinguish the variety

 

      7.1 Resistance to pests and diseases.

                                                              

 

      7.2 Special conditions for the examination of the variety, if any

 

      
        7.3 Other information

 

8.  Authorization for release

 

(a)   Does the variety require prior authorization for release under legislation concerning the protection of the environment, human and animal health?

 

                     Yes              {     }                                                         No         {      }

 

(b)    Has such authorization been obtained?

 

                      Yes             {     }                                                         No        {      }     


If the answer to that question is ‘Yes’, please attach a copy of such an authorization   

 

 

[End of document]

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