UPOV’s mission is to provide and promote an effective system of plant variety protection, with the aim of encouraging the development of new varieties of plants for the benefit of society. A new variety should go through Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability (DUS) testing before authorization for use as in a main crop. In general, DUS testing of main crops requires varieties that are genetically homozygous and that have an identity. As we know that hybrid varieties such as maize and tomato hybrids can be developed by crossing two homozygous inbred lines, hybrids show strong heterosis, which is beneficial for yield improvement. For non-hybrid crops, such as wheat, homozygous lines are also necessary for developing new varieties. Thus, in both hybrid and non-hybrid varieties, breeding of the homozygous lines are an essential procedure.
Formatted Contents Note
Program Welcome and opening remarks Session I: developments in technologies used in plant breeding Session II: partnering in use of technology Session III: role of IP rights in securing investment and partnerships in breeding Session IV: supporting the development of new varieties that maximize benefit for society – the role of the UPOV system of PVP Closing remarks List of participants.