ST-470-75 General Form for Any Species

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION OFFICE
BELTSVILLE, MD 20705

EXHIBIT C

OBJECTIVE DESCRIPTION OF VARIETY
GENERAL FORM FOR ANY SPECIES
NAME OF APPLICANT (S)

TEMPORARY OR EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNATION

ADDRESS (Street and No. or RD No., City, State, Zip Code, and Country)

VARIETY NAME

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
PVPO NUMBER

This is a general form for use when a form for a specific genus and species is not available. Applications of this type are made in species in which few varieties, if any, are
commonly known. For that reason, a form cannot be drafted because the span of the variation of most characteristics is not known. In this case, the varieties are described
according to the classical Linnaean way. Using a dictionary of botanical terms and this form, describe the characteristics of the application variety on the left side of the form
and describe the most similar comparison variety on the right side of the form. Be as specific as possible. Include photographic prints of the varieties.
1. QUALITATIVE TRAITS
Crop Kind (Common Name): _______________________________________________________
Name of Comparison: ____________________________
Genus and Species: ______________________________________________________________
Source of Comparison: ___________________________
Location Where Developed: ________________________________________________________

Preferred Growing Conditions (light, moisture, soil type, pot/bedding/ground cover, etc.):

Growing Conditions:

Propagation Method (seed/tuber/cuttings/etc.; inbred/hybrid/open pollinated/etc.;
annual/perennial/etc.):

Propagation Method:

Whole Plant Habit (herbaceous/woody; upright/prostrate; thorns; tendrils; etc.):

Plant Habit:

Leaf Shape (simple/compound; arrangement on stem; whole leaf shape; leaf margin; leaf base;
leaf apex; leaf attachment; leaf venation; pubescence; waxiness; glands; fragrance; etc.):

Leaf Shape:

Application Variety Data
ST-470-75 (07/01/2009) designed by the Plant Variety Protection Office

Comparison Variety Data
Page 1 of 7

Exhibit C (General)

1. QUALITATIVE TRAITS (continued)
Application Variety Data

Comparison Variety Data

Flowers (inflorescence type; floret shape; bud; sepals; petals; stigma; stamen; pollen;
etc.)

Flowers:

Fruits (type; surface features; attachment; seeds; etc.)

Fruits and Seeds:

2. QUANTITATIVE TRAITS

From
Direct
Seeding

M
A
T
From
U
TransR
Planting
I
T
Y

From
Pack
Trials

P
L
A
N
T

Trait

Average
(Mean)

Number of Chromosomes (1N)

Standard
Deviation

Sample
Size

Trait

Average
(Mean)

__ __ __

Number of Chromosomes (1N)

__ __ __

Days from emergence to first
flower

__ __ __

Days from emergence to first
flower

__ __ __

Days from emergence to 50%
of plants in flower

__ __ __

Days from emergence to 50%
of plants in flower

__ __ __

Days from first flower to last
flower

__ __ __

Days from first flower to last
flower

__ __ __

Days from transplant to first
flower

__ __ __

Days from transplant to first
flower

__ __ __

Days from transplant to 50% of
plants in flower

__ __ __

Days from transplant to 50% of
plants in flower

__ __ __

Days from first flower to last
flower

__ __ __

Days from first flower to last
flower

__ __ __

Days from emergence to first
flower

__ __ __

Days from emergence to first
flower

__ __ __

Days from emergence to 50%
of plants in flower

__ __ __

Days from emergence to 50%
of plants in flower

__ __ __

Days from first flower to last
flower

__ __ __

Days from first flower to last
flower

__ __ __

mm Plant Height at Maturity

__ __ __.__

mm Plant Height at Maturity

__ __ __.__

mm Plant Width (Spread) at
Maturity

__ __ __.__

mm Plant Width (Spread) at
Maturity

__ __ __.__

Number of Stems Arising from
Base of Plant

__ __ __

Number of Stems Arising from
Base of Plant

__ __ __

mm Main Stem Length

__ __ __

mm Main Stem Length

__ __ __

mm Main Stem Diameter at
Mid-point

__ __ __.__

mm Main Stem Diameter at
Mid-point

__ __ __.__

Number of Branches (arising
from lower half of main stem)

__ __ __

Number of Branches (arising
from lower half of main stem)

__ __ __

Branch Angle from Main Stem

__ __ __

Branch Angle from Main Stem

__ __ __

Application Variety Data

ST-470-75 (07/01/2009) designed by the Plant Variety Protection Office

Standard
Deviation

Sample

Size

Comparison Variety Data

Page 2 of 7

Exhibit C (General)

2. QUANTITATIVE TRAITS (continued)
Application Variety Data

L
E
A
V
E
S

I
N
F
L
O
R
E
S
C
E
N
C
E

I
N
D
I
V
I
D
U
A
L
F
L
O
R
E
T

Trait

Average
(Mean)

Leaf Angle from Main Stem

Comparison Variety Data
Standard
Deviation

Sample
Size

Trait

Average
(Mean)

__ __ __

Leaf Angle from Main Stem

__ __ __

mm Width of Leaf

__ __ __.__

mm Width of Leaf

__ __ __.__

mm Length of Leaf Including
Petiole

__ __ __.__

mm Length of Leaf Including
Petiole

__ __ __.__

mm Thickness of Leaf

__ __ __.__

mm Thickness of Leaf

__ __ __.__

mm Length of Petiole

__ __ __.__

mm Length of Petiole

__ __ __.__

mm Width of Leaflet

__ __ __.__

mm Width of Leaflet

__ __ __.__

mm Length of Leaflet

__ __ __.__

mm Length of Leaflet

__ __ __.__

mm Inflorescence Height from
Ground

__ __ __.__

mm Inflorescence Height from
Ground

__ __ __.__

mm Inflorescence Width
(Diameter)

__ __ __.__

mm Inflorescence Width
(Diameter)

__ __ __.__

mm Depth of Head or
Inflorescence

__ __ __.__

mm Depth of Head or
Inflorescence

__ __ __.__

Number of Florets Per
Inflorescence

__ __ __

Number of Florets Per
Inflorescence

__ __ __

mm Length of Peduncle

__ __ __.__

mm Length of Peduncle

__ __ __.__

Number of Sepals per Floret

__ __

Number of Sepals per Floret

__ __

Number of Petals per Floret

__ __

Number of Petals per Floret

__ __

Number of Anthers per Floret

__ __

Number of Anthers per Floret

__ __

Number of Stigmas per Floret

__ __

Number of Stigmas per Floret

__ __

mm Floret Diameter

__ __.__

mm Floret Diameter

__ __.__

mm Eye Diameter

__ __.__

mm Eye Diameter

__ __.__

mm Petal Length (ray flower if
Compositae)

__ __.__

mm Petal Length (ray flower if
Compositae)

__ __.__

mm Petal Width (ray flower if
Compositae)

__ __.__

mm Petal Width (ray flower if
Compositae)

__ __.__

mm Disk Flower Length
(Compositae only)

__ __.__

mm Disk Flower Length
(Compositae only)

__ __.__

mm Disk Flower Width
(Compositae only)

__ __.__

mm Disk Flower Width
(Compositae only)

__ __.__

mm Sepal Length

__ __.__

mm Sepal Length

__ __.__

mm Sepal Width

__ __.__

mm Sepal Width

__ __.__

Application Variety Data

ST-470-75 (07/01/2009) designed by the Plant Variety Protection Office

Standard
Deviation

Sample

Size

Comparison Variety Data

Page 3 of 7

Exhibit C (General)

2. QUANTITATIVE TRAITS (continued)
Application Variety Data
Average
(Mean)

Trait

Standard
Deviation

Sample
Size

Comparison Variety Data
Average
(Mean)

Trait

mm Fruit Length

__ __ __.__

mm Fruit Length

__ __ __.__

mm Fruit Width

__ __ __.__

mm Fruit Width

__ __ __.__

I
N
D
I
V
I
D
U
A
L

mm Fruit Thickness

__ __ __.__

mm Fruit Thickness

__ __ __.__

gm Fruit Weight

__ __ __ __

gm Fruit Weight

__ __ __ __

mm Fruit Flesh Thickness

__ __ __.__

mm Fruit Flesh Thickness

__ __ __.__

F
R
U
I
T

Number of Locules (Cavities)
per Fruit

__ __

Number of Locules (Cavities)
per Fruit

__ __

mm Cavity Width

__ __ __.__

mm Cavity Width

__ __ __.__

mm Fruit Rind or Skin Thickness

mm Cavity Length

S
E
E
D
S

mm Fruit Rind or Skin Thickness

__ __.__

mm Cavity Length

__ __ __.__

Size

__ __ __.__

__ __ __

Number of Seeds per Fruit

__ __ __

mg Weight per 1000 Seeds

__ __ __.__

mg Weight per 1000 Seeds

__ __ __.__

mm Seed Length

__ __.__

mm Seed Length

__ __.__

mm Seed Width

__ __.__

mm Seed Width

__ __.__

mm Seed Thickness

__ __.__

Sample

__ __.__

Number of Seeds per Fruit

mm Seed Thickness

Standard
Deviation

__ __.__

O
T
H
E
R
3. PLANT COLORS

Example

Color Verbal Name

Color Chart
Code

Name of Color
Chart

Light Blue

106C

RHS

Color Verbal Name

Hypocotyl Color

Hypocotyl Color

Cotyledon Color

Cotyledon Color

Brace Root Color

Brace Root
Color

Main Stem Color,
Mature

Main Stem
Color, Mature

Leaf or Leaflet Color,
Dorsal

Leaf or Leaflet
Color, Dorsal

Leaf or Leaflet Color,
Ventral

Leaf or Leaflet
Color, Ventral

Leaf or Leaflet
Venation Color

Leaf or Leaflet
Venation Color

Leaf Color, Other
(describe location or
placement)

Leaf Color,
Other (describe
location or
placement)
Application Variety Data

ST-470-75 (07/01/2009) designed by the Plant Variety Protection Office

Color Chart
Code

Name of
Color
Chart

Comparison Variety Data

Page 4 of 7

Exhibit C (General)

3. PLANT COLORS (continued)
Application Variety Data
Color Verbal Name

Color Chart
Code

Comparison Variety Data
Name of Color
Chart

Color Verbal Name

Petiole Color

Petiole Color

Tendril Color

Tendril Color

Thorn Color

Thorn Color

Bud (Unopened
Flower) Color

Bud (Unopened
Flower) Color

Stigma Color

Stigma Color

Style Color

Style Color

Ovary (Immature
Flower) Color

Ovary (Immature
Flower) Color

Pollen Color

Pollen Color

Anther Color

Anther Color

Filament Color

Color Chart
Code

Name of
Color
Chart

Filament Color
Petal Color,
Main
Petal Color,
Edges
(Picotee)
Petal Color,
Blotches
Petal Color,
Streaks
Petal Color,
Spots
Petal Color,
Veins

Petal Color, Main
Petal Color, Edges
(Picotee)
Petal Color, Blotches
Petal Color, Streaks
Petal Color, Spots
Petal Color, Veins
Petal Color, Eye

Petal Color, Eye
Petal Color,
Throat
Petal Color, Disk
Flowers
(Compositae
only)
Floral Color,
Other (describe
location or
placement)

Petal Color, Throat
Petal Color, Disk
Flowers (Compositae
only)
Floral Color, Other
(describe location or
placement)
Sepal Color

Sepal Color

Mature Fruit Color, Skin

Mature Fruit
Color, Skin

Mature Fruit Color,
Flesh

Mature Fruit
Color, Flesh

Fruit Color, Other
(describe location or
placement)

Fruit Color,
Other (describe
location or
placement)

Seed Coat Color

Seed Coat Color
Seed Embryo
Color
Seed Structure
Color, Other
(describe
location or
placement)

Seed Embryo Color
Seed Structure Color,
Other (describe
location or placement)
Application Variety Data

Comparison Variety Data

Note: Common Color Charts: RHS = Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart
Munsell = Munsell Book of Color
HCC = Horticultural Colour Chart
BCC = British Colour Council Dictionary of Colour Standards
ST-470-75 (07/01/2009) designed by the Plant Variety Protection Office

Page 5 of 7

Exhibit C (General)

4. DISEASE, INSECT AND ENVIRONMENT RESISTANCE
(Rate from 1 (most susceptible) to 9 (most resistant))
Application Variety Data

Comparison Variety Data

___ Powdery Mildew

___ Powdery Mildew

___ Other (Specify) ___________________________________________

___ Other (Specify) _____________________________________

___ Aphids

___ Aphids

___ Other (Specify) ___________________________________________

___ Other (Specify) _____________________________________

___ Heat

___ Heat

___ Cold

___ Cold

___ Lodging

___ Lodging

___ Wind

___ Wind

___ Other (Specify) ___________________________________________

___ Other (Specify) _____________________________________

REFERENCES:
Bailey, L.H. 1971. Manual of Cultivated Plants. MacMillan. New York, N.Y.
Hay, R., P.M. Synge. 1991. The Colour Dictionary of Garden Plants with House and Greenhouse Plants. Bloomsbury Books, London.
Munsell Color Chart for Plant Tissues. Macbeth. P.O. Box 230 Newburgh, N.Y. 12551-0230
The Wise Garden Encyclopedia. 1990. HarperCollins Publishers. New York, N.Y.

COMMENTS (Attach photographic prints; Continue in Exhibit D)

ST-470-75 (07/01/2009) designed by the Plant Variety Protection Office

Page 6 of 7

Exhibit C (General)

INSTRUCTIONS
Please read instructions carefully before completing the attached form. The Objective Description Form is a
necessary part of an application for Plant Variety Protection (Breeder’s Rights) in the United States of America. It is
designed to guide the applicant in describing a plant variety in detail so that comparisons with other varieties may be
done in a meaningful way. It is in the applicant’s best interest to describe the application variety as completely as
possible to establish an adequate variety description.
The applicant’s name and complete address should be at the top of the form. The country should be included since it
is needed when mailing to some areas. The name of the variety is also entered at the top of the form. The Plant
Variety Protection Office will assign a unique PVPO Number to each application and enter it below the variety name.
The “General Form for Any Species” was designed to allow the applicant the most freedom in describing the variety
in a way that is most appropriate to the crop and the needs of the Plant Variety Protection Office. A good botanical
dictionary or key should be used to provide the most specific terms to describe qualitative plant characteristics
(SECTION 1) in the classical Linnaean (botanical) way. For example, when describing leaf margins, the applicant
should use terms such as entire, crenate, dentate, incised, serrate, sinuate, spinose, or undulate. Similarly, flowers
should be described as actinomorphic, zygomorphic, monoecious, dioecious, etc.
Choose one variety to use as a comparison variety throughout the Objective Description Form. Describe the
comparison variety in the right-hand column for all traits. The variety that you choose should be the most similar
one in terms of background and morphology. It should be the same one used in Exhibit B to describe the novelty of
the application variety. The comparison variety should be grown in trials with the application variety for 2 – 3
location/years (environments) in the region of best adaptability. The varietal and environmental data collection
should remain available for an additional 3 years to resolve any questions concerning comparisons or descriptions of
varieties.
In general, measurements of quantitative traits (SECTION 2) should be taken in one trial on 15-25 randomly
selected plants or plant parts to obtain averages and statistics that describe a typical planting of the variety. For each
of the measurable traits, report the mean, the number of plants measured, and the standard deviation.
Standard Deviation 

( X  X )

2

( N  1)

The color descriptions (SECTION 3) must include the verbal color name and color codes from the “Munsell Color
Chart” or other published color chart. An example of this is given on the top of the section. The color chart code is a
more objective method for describing colors, however, verbal descriptions are used in seed catalogs and other
literature references from which the databases are created. The verbal color continues to be necessary in
distinguishing new varieties from all varieties of prior existence.
Test as many disease and insect reactions (SECTION 4) as possible before applying for protection, especially the
most common diseases or insect pests for the crop.

ST-470-75 (07/01/2009) designed by the Plant Variety Protection Office

Page 7 of 7