National catalogue of wheat varieties in Afghanistan

Niane AA, Bishaw Z, Kugbei S, Aria AZ, Wahed A, Sherzad F, Ahmad G and Zadda ZA. 2011. National catalogue of wheat varieties in Afghanistan. Rome, Italy: FAO; and Aleppo, Syria: ICARDA. vi + 82 pp.

Abstract

The development of new crop varieties is a crucial first step in agricultural development, but this must be supported by an effective system for the evaluation and release of appropriate new varieties. In countries with developed seed programs, new varieties are released for cultivation through an efficient, effective, and transparent system implemented by an independent agency, whether public or associated with the seed industry. This agency conducts variety registration (DUS) and/or performance (VCU) testing. Registration testing is a descriptive assessment to establish the identity of a new variety using morphological, chemical, and other characteristics, and to assess whether it is sufficiently uniform and stable. Registration testing usually runs for two growing seasons or years; the new variety is compared with a number of existing varieties to establish its identity. Performance testing focuses on the merits of the new variety offers to producers and consumers through multi-location, multi-year trials in different agro-ecological zones. This helps identify the best performing varieties, suited to specific environments, or even widely adapted to a range of environments.