Integrated variety test system – Growing by challenges

Registration trials at the Federal Plant Variety Office (BSA) and variety performance tests after registration via the coordination board at the Institute of Sugar Beet Research (IfZ) and regional working units form the integrated system of variety testing of sugar beet in Germany. The tight collaboration of BSA, IfZ, sugar sector (growers associations and industry) and breeding companies enables the fast development of flexible solutions for new challenges and the registration of new innovative traits at the BSA. The key to the beneficial use of these traits in sugar beet cropping is a neutral evaluation and advice based on valid results of performance trials with high accuracy of estimate. High quality and a great number of field trials are main requirements to match this task. This is exemplary implemented in the integrated system of variety testing in sugar beet. The proof of the identity of varieties which are registered in Germany for the seed market is ensured. In the case of varieties registered in other EU countries, this proof is only possible with a considerable time delay and the reliable identification is significantly more difficult.