GEVES Quality
Resistance tests
Presentation
The evaluation of the resistance of varieties to pests and diseases is very important for varietal innovation, as it will provide a better description of the varieties being studied for registration in the French Catalogue and also for plant breeders’ rights. It necessitates the use of protocols, which are representative of the in-field reality, thus giving consistently reliable results with regard to the epidemiological situations that the registered varieties will confront. It is possible to achieve this at a European level through the implementation of harmonization programmes for DUS protocols, by using validated and harmonized reference materials, and through the collaboration of Research Institutes in the epidemiological monitoring of strains.
In what circumstances does GEVES carry out resistance tests ?
Tests on the resistance of varieties to pests and diseases are undertaken:
- When the CTPS wants to promote genetic progress and the registration of resistant varieties.
- when there are problems with distinctiveness in DUS studies (this mainly concerns arable crops and vegetables).
- for arable crops when assessing their value for cultivation, use and sustainability (VCUS).
- in final VCUS evaluations where, if the variety is to be accepted, there has to be an improvement compared to the reference varieties: bonus points are awarded to resistant varieties of certain groups of species, such as straw cereals, sunflower, OSR and sugar beet, and penalties are applied if a variety is susceptible.
- For the protection of plant varieties, on behalf of the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO) at a European level, and on behalf of The French National Body for Plant Breeders Rights (INOV) at a national level.
- To support the seed sector, for example, breeders, cooperatives, and phytosanitary firms.
The evaluation of the resistance of varieties to pests and diseases is done under controlled conditions (climatic chambers, greenhouses) or in-field using network trials.
The resistance characteristics of varieties must be based on consistently reliable criteria that are valid in the different markets where the registered or protected varieties will be sold. To this end, the GEVES is coordinating international research projects for the harmonization of evaluation tests for the resistance of varieties.
Activities of the SNES
The Pathology laboratory of the French National Seed Testing Laboratory (SNES) offers different services including the evaluation of a variety’s resistance to viruses, bacteria, fungi and nematodes, the supply of reference material, (seeds via the MATREF network and strains), the characterisation of races using host differentials, as well as the supply of inoculums.
Additional information
Details of resistance tests are available in pdf form in both French and English.
There is also a poster, which was presented in November 2009 at the CIAG
(an agricultural innovation hub)
08/10/2012
