Example varieties for DUS testing in rice (Oryza sativa)

In order to validate the distinctiveness of rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties, 106 example varieties are included in the National DUS Test Guidelines on Rice notified by the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV & FR) Authority. Seventy three such example varieties obtained from Nodal Officer, DUS Testing, Directorate of Rice Research, Hyderabad and respective breeders were grown in field and characterized. Twenty varieties did not conform to the distinct characteristics for which these were identified as examples. The non-conformity of the example varieties for the particular state of expression of characteristics was further examined with fresh seed lots obtained in the second year from the Directorate of Rice Research, Hyderabad. Six varieties still could not be validated for the identified example characteristics. A strict maintenance breeding of the reference varieties, including the example varieties, and use of alternate example varieties for conduct of DUS testing in rice, if needed, are suggested.