Policy on Evaluation &
Release of Strains.

Qualifications for inclusion in the Uniform Tests.

 

Use of Uniform Tests entries in soybean breeding and research.

 

Release of Uniform Test entries.

Procedure for Testing and Release of Strains.

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POLICY ON EVALUATION AND RELEASE OF STRAINS.

 

Qualifications for inclusion in the Uniform Tests.

1) Experimental lines entered in the Uniform Tests, including Preliminary Tests, must be free of restrictions on their potential release as varieties or their use as parents in biparental crosses or as parents in recurrent selection programs.

2) It is recommended that breeders obtain written permission for the use of privately developed varieties or strains that are used as parents in the development of lines included in the Uniform Tests.

Use of Uniform Test entries in soybean breeding and research.

1) Seed of Uniform Test entries is for evaluation in the Uniform Tests only and may not be distributed to non-participants in these tests without prior approval by the originator of the entry.

2) Entries in the Uniform Tests may be used by Uniform Test participants as parents only in biparental crosses or in developing recurrent selection populations

3) Uniform Test participants must obtain prior approval before using any entry, other than their own, as a recurrent parent in backcrossing, in any breeding or genetic studies, or for any other research.

4) Experimental strains entered in the Uniform Tests should be labeled “Experimental Strain” and should not be identified by strain designation when grown in demonstration plots or when the Uniform Tests are shown on field days or farm tours.

Release of Uniform Test entries.

1) Entries in the Uniform Tests are released according to USDA-Agricultural Research Service and State Agricultural Experiment Station or Canadian government policies.

2) Restricted or contractual releases cannot impose any restriction on the prior use of an entry as a parent by Uniform Test Participants.

PROCEDURE FOR TESTING AND RELEASE OF STRAINS.

Public soybean breeders have agreed upon this policy on testing and release of soybean strains evaluated in the Uniform Soybean Tests Northern Region. The policy was developed to assist breeders in preparing schedules for seed increases and to assist individuals and committees responsible for approving releases. The  policy will aid private breeders in the U.S. and foreign countries to understand how releases will be made that may affect their programs.

Development and release of soybean strains is carried out by many public institutions. The programs at these institutions operate independently until strains are available for advanced testing in the Uniform Soybean Tests. The USDA-Agricultural Research Service coordinates the Uniform Soybean Tests. The tests are divided into those in the Northern Region, for strains in maturity groups 00 to IV, and those in the Southern States, for strains in maturity groups IVS to VIII. Group IV maturity strains are divided into an IVN test for the northern region and an IVS test for the southern region. Public soybean breeders are encouraged to enter superior strains they develop into the Uniform Soybean Tests.

Strains are evaluated for one year in the Preliminary Tests (PT), which are conducted at eight or more locations in several states. When the tests are completed, each public breeder is given the opportunity to review the results and to decide which strains merit further testing. In instances where there is little consensus among the breeders on the merits of a strain, the originator of the strain generally makes the final decision.

Strains that merit further testing are evaluated in the Uniform Tests (UT) conducted at more locations than Preliminary Tests and with three or four replications. Lines developed by four or more backcrosses to a released cultivar may be entered directly into the UT without prior evaluation in PT. Strains evaluated in Regional Cyst Nematode (SCN) tests may also be entered directly into the UT.

Strains may be considered for release after they have been evaluated for two years in the UT. Exceptions to this are special purpose strains or strains derived from four or more backcrosses to a released cultivar; these may be considered for release after one year in the UT. Consideration for release of any strains in the UT may be requested by any institution or breeder participating in the Uniform Soybean Tests, however it is usually initiated by the institution that developed the strain.

A strain should be released only if it is distinctly superior to existing varieties in one or more characteristics important for the crop, or it is superior in overall performance in areas where adapted. A single major production hazard which a new cultivar can overcome, e.g., a highly destructive disease, may be the overriding consideration in releasing a variety. Strains with a very limited range in adaptation should not be released unless performance in that limited range is outstandingly superior, or the strain possesses important use values not otherwise available, including diversification of the germplasm base for the species.

When a decision has been made to multiply a strain for release, the originating institution will inform other UT participants of the decision by February 15. This will give each UT participant the opportunity to participate in the multiplication and release of the strains.

By March 15 all institutions intending to participate in the multiplication of the strain must notify the originating institution of their intent. A final decision to participate in the release of the strain may be delayed until an additional year’s data are available for review. By April 1 the originating institution should notify all UT participants what states will be participating in the multiplication and are considering participating in the release of the strain. Breeders seed is distributed to foundation seed organizations in participating states for production during the summer. At this time, if a final decision to release has been made, a sample of seed may be distributed to non-participants in the UT, including private soybean breeders, in accordance with a State’s Experiment Station policy. This distribution is made only by the originating institution.

The originating institutions prepare a release notice to soybean seed producers listing all institutions participating in the release of the cultivar. This notice is circulated for signature by all participating institutions. Assistance in the preparation and circulation of this release notice may be obtained by Dr. Judith St. John, Associate Deputy Administrator for Plant Science, USDA, ARS, Bldg. 005, BARC-West, Beltsville, MD 20705, phone 301-504-6252. The office for clearance of proposed names of new soybean cultivars is : Mr. James P. Triplett, Chief, Seed Regulatory & Testing Branch, Livestock and Seed Division, AMS/USDA, Bldg. 506, BARC-East, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, phone 301-504-9430. The date for simultaneous publicity release on new soybean cultivars by participating states is determined by the originating state, and is usually in August but may be delayed until the following April if additional UT data are being reviewed and a final decision to release has not been made.

If an additional year of UT data are being reviewed prior to a final decision on release, states producing foundation seed must notify the originating state by February 15 of their intent to participate in the release of the cultivar. The release notice to soybean seed producers should be distributed for signature by the participating institutions by April 1.

Foundation seed under the name of the new cultivar is distributed to qualified certified seed producers in states releasing the new cultivar by April 1. At this time a sample of seed may be distributed to non-participants in the UT, including private plant breeders, for testing and crossing if this distribution has not been made previously.