Morphological characterization of jute (Corchorus olitorius L.and C. capsularis L.) varieties and their application for DUS testing

Abstract

In the present regime of Intellectual Property Rights, the distinctness of a candidate variety from all other varieties is the first basis of the triad of the DUS for granting protection of Plant Breeder's rights. Keeping this in view, twenty seven varieties of jute (Corchorus olitorius L. and C. capsularis L.) including 20 released or notified and 7 varieties of common knowledge were characterized for three years using 16 qualitative morphological characteristics to establish distinctness among the varieties. Among them, 10 characters in C. capsularis were found mono-morphic and 6 characters were dimorphic where as in C. olitorius 2 characters were mono-morphic, 8 characters were dimorphic and 6 characters were polymorphic between varieties indicating their potential for varietal characterization. No intra-varietal variation was observed for any of the characteristics. The expression of each character in all varieties was similar for three consecutive years confirming the stability of varieties. No character could identify all the varieties individually. On the basis of 16 qualitative characteristics identity and distinctness of few varieties viz., Bidhan rupali, JRO 878, Chinsurah green, JRO 66, JRO 7835 and JRO 36E in olitorius and Padma and 0-154 in capsularis could be established individually and remaining varieties could be classified into two or more groups. The candidate variety, Bidhan rupali, was distinct from all other olitorius varieties and the candidate variety, JRC 321, was similar to UPC-94. Hence, to meet DUS criteria as identification of jute varieties, some of the distinct morphological characters in coalition with biochemical or molecular characters may be necessary.