S01 - Session P10 - Molecular techniques to support the granting of Plant Variety Rights in the European Union

Authors: Jens Wegner *, Cecile Collonnier, Celine Morineau

To be granted Community Plant Variety Rights (CPVR), varieties must undergo a DUS test (Distinctness, Uniformity, Stability), whose results will support the decision of the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO). The CPVO does not undertake DUS testing by itself, but arranges for the technical examination to be carried out by entrusted examination offices (EOs) in at least one of the member states. When carrying out a technical examination, the EO shall grow the variety and undertake any other necessary investigations according to specific regulations tailored for plant variety protection. Molecular techniques may thus be used to support DUS testing provided that the technical examination is conducted in accordance with the test guidelines issued by the CPVO Administrative Council. As a UPOV member, the CPVO respects the agreed framework on the use of molecular techniques in DUS testing as laid down in UPOV guidelines. This poster describes the different models applied and gives examples of applications of markers used either to fully or partially replace the phenotypic observations, or to manage reference collections in order to reduce the number of comparisons in the field. As part of its R&D Strategy, the CPVO promotes the use of molecular techniques through a dedicated work group called IMODDUS (Integration of MOlecular Data into DUS testing). IMODDUS works as a think-tank for the development of molecular approaches aiming at improving the quality and potentially the cost efficiency of DUS testing. It assists the CPVO in identifying and assessing, for potential co-funding, R&D project proposals. The poster illustrates these activities through the presentation of some of the selected ongoing projects.