Preparation of the UPOV Guidelines for the Conduct of Tests for Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability-Tea Plant [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze]

Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability (DUS) testing is the technical base of Plant Variety Protection (PVP) and the scientific basis for the approval of Plant Breeder's Rights (PBR). DUS Test Guidelines are not only the technical manuals for the DUS testing authorities to conduct the testing, but also the technical standards for the competent authorities to examine the DUS of new varieties of plants. Tea plant, originated from Yunnan Province, China, is a very important woody cash species in the world. The International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) DUS Test Guidelines for tea plant is the first Test Guidelines prepared by China for the UPOV. In this article, the subject, selection, and determination of characteristics, states of expression of characteristics and the selection of example varieties, assessment of the UPOV DUS Test Guidelines for tea plant were elucidated in detail. Finally, the proposal of PVP for tea plant in China was also proposed. The preparation of UPOV DUS Test Guidelines for tea plant will have important significance both for promoting the development of PVP and increasing the status of international PVP fields for China.