INTRODUCTION

In our country potato breeding is done by private breeders, with the exception of the Bayerische Landesanstalt für Bodenkultur und Pflanzenbau, Freising. Institutes like Max-Planck-Institut für Zuchtungsforschung in Cologne evaluate species from South America with resistance to diseases or other special qualities, and release their adapted clones to the breeders. The assessment of potato varieties is done by the Bundessortenamt at Hannover in cooperation with many other institutions. Like a patent office, the Bundessortenamt grants protection rights to the breeder for a new variety – Plant Breeders' Rights. This is based on the Variety Protection Act which was revised in 1985.

This Seed Act confirms that seed of agricultural species cannot be offered for sale unless the variety concerned is on the registered list of the Bundessortenamt. In order to be registered the variety must be distinct from other varieties, sufficiently uniform and stable, of value for cultivation and use and suitably named for registration. A variety is considered to be of value for cultivation and use if, in comparison with similar registered varieties, there is a clear improvement in characters concerned with crop cultivation, the utilization of harvested crops or any product obtained from such crops.

DISTINCTNESS, UNIFORMITY AND STABILITY

Assessment of DUS is based on sprout morphology under diffuse light and a field trial at one site with three replications for 2 to 3 years.