Maize

INDIA

ITG/02

Date : 3-2-2003

National Guidelines

for the Conduct of Test for

Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability

Maize

(Zea mays L.)

I. Subject

II. Material Required

III. Conduct of Test

IV. Methods and Observation

V. Grouping of Varieties

VI. Characteristics and Symbols

VII. Table of Characteristics

VIII. Explanation on the table of characteristics

IX. Technical Questionnaire

________________________________________________________________________________

I.   Subject

   These test guidelines apply to all varieties, hybrids and parental lines of maize (Zea mays L.)

________________________________________________________________________________

II. Material required

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:

                                         Parental line           - 1500 grams
                                                                                                Only one submission
                                        Parental line           - 1500 grams

The seed should meet the minimum requirements for germination capacity, moisture content and physical purity prescribed for certified seed in India as follows:

a. Germination capacity
            i. Inbred lines & single cross hybrids              :           80% (minimum)
            ii. Varieties and double cross hybrids             :           90% (minimum)
b. Moisture content                                                    :           10-12 %(maximum)
c. Physical purity                                                         :           98% (minimum)
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.

________________________________________________________________________________

III. Conduct of tests

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.
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.

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. 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
i. Inbred lines and single cross hybrids	: 4
ii. Varieties and other hybrids	: 8
Row length	: 5 m
Row to row distance	: 75 cm
Plant to plant distance	: 30 cm
Number of replications	: 3

Observations should not be recorded on plants in border rows.
Additional tests for special purpose may be established.

________________________________________________________________________________

IV. Methods and observations

The characteristics described in the Table of characteristics should be used for the testing of varieties, inbred lines and hybrids for DUS.
For the assessment of distinctness and uniformity, observations should be made on (excluding out-crossed plants in inbred lines and plants obviously resulting from the selfing of a parental line in single cross hybrids) atleast 30 plants for inbreds/single cross hybrids and 60 plants for varieties and other hybrids.
For the assessment of uniformity of inbred lines and single-cross hybrids a population standard of 3% with an acceptance probability of 95% should be applied. In the case of a sample of 30 plants, maximum number of variants allowed would be 2. In addition, the same population standard and acceptance probability should apply to clear cases of out-crossed plants in inbred lines as well as plants obviously resulting from the selfing of a parent line in single-cross hybrids. For three-way cross hybrids, double-cross hybrids and open-pollinated varieties, the variability within the variety should not exceed the variability of comparable varieties already known.
All observation on ear should be made on the upper well-developed ear.
In three-way cross hybrids and double-cross hybrids, characteristics may segregate with the effect that several states of expression occur side by side in a variety. Certain characteristics which from experience are known to give rise to such segregation in three-way cross hybrids and double-cross hybrids are identified with an 'S'.

________________________________________________________________________________

V. Grouping of varieties

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 vary only very slightly, within a variety. Their various states of expression should be fairly evenly distributed throughout the collection.
It is recommended that the testing organisation/centre use the following characteristics for grouping varieties :

a)       Tassel: time of anthesis (Characteristic 6)

b)       Ear: Anthocyanin colouration of silks (Characteristic 15)

c)       Plant: length (Characteristic 19.1/19.2)

d)       Ear: type of grain (Characteristic 27)

________________________________________________________________________________

VI. Characteristics and symbols

To assess distinctness, uniformity and stability, the characteristics and their states as given in the Table of characteristics should be used.
Notes (1 to 9) should be given for each state of expression for different characteristics for the purpose of electronic data processing.

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.
(S)	Characteristics may segregate in three-way cross hybrids and double cross hybrids with the effect that several states of expression occur side by side in a hybrid variety.

The optimum stage of plant growth for assessment of each characteristic is indicated by a number in the sixth column of Table of Characteristics. These are explained below:

Decimal Code for the Growth Stage

Stage Code			General Description
			Germination
00			Dry seed
12			2 leaves unfolded
14			4 leaves unfolded
51			Inflorescence just visible
61			Beginning of anthesis
65			Anthesis halfway
71			Caryopsis watery ripe
75			Medium milk
85			Soft dough
92			Caryopsis hard (can no longer be dented by thumbnail)
93			Caryopsis loosening daytime

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

________________________________________________________________________________

VII. Table of Characteristics

Sl. No.	Characteristics	States	Notes	Example variety/line	Stage of observation	Type of assessment
1. (S)	First leaf: anthocyanin colouration of sheath	absent weak strong	1 3 7	CM 400 CM 300	12	VS
2. (+)	Leaf: angle between blade and stem (on leaf just above upper ear)	small (<25⁰) medium (25⁰-75⁰) large (>75⁰)	3 5 7	CM 202 CM 105 CM 111	61	VG
3. (+)	Leaf: attitude of blade (on leaf just above upper ear)	straight curved very strongly curved	1 5 9	CM 202 CM 300 CM 400	61	VG
4.	Stem: degree of zig-zag	absent present	1 9	CM 400 CM 202	65	VG
5. (S)	Stem: anthocyanin colouration of brace roots	absent present	1 9	CM 400 CM 300	65-75	VS
6. (*)	Tassel: time of anthesis (on middle third of main axis, 50 % of plants)	very early early medium late very late	1 3 5 7 9	CM 110 CM 137 CM 126 CM 202	65	VG
7. (+) (S)	Tassel: anthocyanin colouration at base of glume (in middle third of main axis)	absent present	1 9	CM 400 CM 104	65	VS
8. (S)	Tassel: anthocyanin colouration of glumes excluding base (in middle third of main axis)	absent present	1 9	CM 400 CM 300	65	VS
9. (S)	Tassel: anthocyanin colouration of anthers (in middle third of main axis on fresh anthers)	absent present	1 9	CM 400	65	VG
10.	Tassel: density of spikelets (in middle third of main axis)	lax medium dense	3 5 7	CN 202 CM 105 CM 111	65	VG
11. (*) (+)	Tassel: angle between main axis and lateral branches (in lower third of tassel)	small (<25°) medium (25-75°) large (>75°)	3 5 7	CM 111 CM 400	65	VG
12. (*) (+)	Tassel: attitude of lateral branches (in lower third of tassel)	straight curved strongly curved	1 5 9	CM 202 CM 300	65	VG
13. (*)	Tassel: number of primary & lateral branches	absent few many	1 5 9	CM 202 CM 111	65	MS
14.	Ear: time of silk emergence (50% plants)	very early early medium late very late	1 3 5 7 9		65	VG
15. (*) (S)	Ear: anthocyanin colouration of silks	absent present	1 9	CM 400 CM 300	65	VG
16. (S)	Leaf: anthocyanin colouration of sheath (in middle of plant)	absent medium strong	1 5 7	CM 400 CM 300	71	VS
17.	Tassel : length of main axis above lowest side branch	short medium long	3 5 7	CM 202	71	MS
18.	Tassel: length of main axis above upper side branch^*	short medium long	3 5 7		71	MS
19.1 (*)	Inbred lines only: Plant : length (up to flag leaf)	very short short medium long very long	1 3 5 7 9	CM 201 CM 202 CM 300 CM 111 CM 601	75	MS
19.2 (*)	Hybrids and open pollinated varieties only: Plant : length (up to flag leaf)	short medium long very long	3 5 7 9	Diara 3 Navjot Prabhat African Tall	75	MS
20.	Plant: ratio between height of insertion of upper ear to plant length	small medium large	3 5 7		75	MS
21.	Leaf: width of blade (leaf of upper ear)	narrow medium broad	3 5 7	CM 300 CM 202 CM 400	75	MS
22.	Ear: length of peduncle	short medium long	3 5 7	CM 105	85	MS
23. (*)	Ear: length without husk	short medium long	3 5 7	CM 104 CM 300 CM 600	92	MS
24.	Ear: diameter without husk (in middle)	small medium large	3 5 7		92	MS
25. (+)	Ear: shape	conical conico-cylinderical cylindrical	1 2 3	CM 110 CM 111	92	VG
26.	Ear: number of rows of grains	few (£8) medium (10-12) many (³14)	3 5 7		92	MS
27. (*) (S)	Ear: type of grain (in middle third of ear)	flint semi flint/ semi dent dent pop waxy/opaque opaque tinge sweet	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	CM 105 CM 202 Amber Pop Shakti 1 Priya S corn	92	VG
28. (*) (S)	Ear: colour of top of grain	white white with cap yellow yellow with cap orange red dark red blue black	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8	CM 600 CM 601 CM 105 CM 111	92	VG
29. (S)	Ear: colour of dorsal side of grain	white yellowish white yellow yellow orange orange red orange red dark red blue black	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9		92	VG
30. (*) (S)	Ear: anthocyanin colouration of glumes of cob	white light purple dark purple	1 2 3	CM 111 CM 202	93	VG
31. (+)	Kernel: row arrangement	straight spiral irregular	1 2 3	CM 111 CM 202	93	VG
32. (+)	Grain shape	shrunken round indented pointed	1 2 3 4	Madhuri CM 300 Amber Pop	93	VG
33.	Grain size (1000 grain weight)	small medium bold	3 5 7	CM 300 CM 400 CM 601	93	MG

Score 1 to 9 is used for the purpose of electronic data processing

* These characteristics are to be used on all varieties/hybrids/inbred lines in every growing period except regional environmental conditions render this impossible. These are always to be included in the variety descriptions.

Stage of observation are described in Chapter VI

+ See explanations on the characteristics in Chapter VIII

S From experience these characters are known to segregate in three-way cross hybrids and double cross hybrids

________________________________________________________________________________

VIII. Explanations on the table of characteristics

Characteristics 2 and 11:

Leaf: angle between blade and stem (on leaf just above upper ear)

Tassel: angle between main axis and lateral branches (in lower third of tassel)

Characteristics 3 and 12:

Leaf : attitude of blade (on leaf just above upper ear)

Tassel: attitude of lateral branches (in lower third of tassel)

Characteristic 7: Anthocyanin colouration at base of glume (in middle third of main axis)

Characteristic 25: Ear: shape

Characteristic 31: Kernel row arrangement

Characteristic 32: Grain shape

________________________________________________________________________________

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: Zea mays L.
Maize

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) Single-cross hybrid	( )
(iii) Three-way cross hybrid	( )
(iv). Double-cross hybrid	( )
(v) Open-pollinated variety	( )
(vi). 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

Stage

5.1
(6)

Tassel: time of anthesis (on middle third of main axis, 50% of plants

Very early
Early
Medium
Late
Very late

CM 110
CM 137
CM 126
CM 202

1
3
5
7
9

5.2
(15)

Ear: Anthocyanin colouration of silks

Absent
Present

CM 400
CM 300

1
9

5.3 i
(19.1)

Inbred lines only:
Plant : length (up to flag leaf)

Very short
Short
Medium
Long
Very long

CM 201
CM 202
CM 300
CM 111
CM 601

1
3
5
7
9

5.3 ii
(19.1)

Hybrids and open pollinated varieties only: Plant : length (up to flag leaf)

Short
Medium
Long
Very long

Diara 3
Navjot
Prabhat
African tall

3
5
7
9

5.4
(27)

Ear: type of grain (in middle third of ear

Flint
Semi flint/Semi dent
Dent
Pop
Waxy/opaque
Opaque tinge
Sweet

CM 105

CM 202
Amber Pop
Shakti 1

Priya S corn

1
2

3
4
5
6
7

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 (indicate, if any)

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 the document]

________________________________________________________________________________