Development of Guidelines for the Conduct of Tests for Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability of New Varieties of Magnolia

摘要

The preparation of the Guidelines for the Conduct of Tests for Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability (DUS tests) of new varieties of Magnolia has been undertaken for testing candidate varieties to see if they fulfil the DUS requirements to qualify as new varieties. It includes the General Technical Requirements for Testing, the Table of Characteristics, the Explanation of the Characteristics, and the Technical Questionnaire. The botanical circumscription and classification of the genus follow those of James E. Dandy and Law Yuwu. The selection of the characteristics for inclusion in the Table of Characteristics are made on the principle of "useful and necessary", focusing on ornamental features, especially those of the flowers. Names of example varieties are given to clarify the states of expression. The Guidelines would be an essential tool for the Chinese authority for the protection of new varieties of plants and for plant breeders of magnolias to determine whether they indeed have a new variety