The concept of plant variety protection has been brought in to sharp focus by Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs), which is a part of the agreement in establishing World Trade Organization (WTO). India being a signatory to TRIPs is required to protect plant varieties either by patents or by an effective sui generis system of protection or by combination of both. The Government of India opted for sui generis system of protection of plant varieties and enacted ‘Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Right Act in 2001 to encourage research, variety development, protection to breeders’ varieties, ensures farmers rights and growth of seed industry. To claim this right the variety has to be distinct, uniform and stable (DUS) and novel. ICAR –IIWBR being the nodal centre for the conduct of DUS test in wheat, durum wheat, dicoccum wheat and barley. DUS tests need to be conducted as per the national test guidelines.

Download  DUS testing guidelines:
Wheat (Triticum aestivum)
Durum wheat (Tritcum durum Desf.), Dicoccum wheat (T. dicoccum L.) and Triticum species
Barley (Hordeum vulgare)

ICAR-IIWBR facilitated breeders for submitting more than 160 applications in wheat and barley for registration under extant category.