Dear Noushad, local regulations exist regarding the rules to determine if a genotype

is new variety. However, some basic and common principles or rules exist. First, it must be demonstrated that the character is really new. Second, the new character must be stable. Third, the new variety has not been previously registered.

I am not a specialist, but interested, so just to start the discussion: I think you could claim a new variety, but your legal rights would depend greatly on any rights you may or may not have to the sources, both domestic and wild.

My understanding is that fertile seeds of a new variety could result from a plant graft if new cells created at the graft union containing parental nuclear genomes from both sources (Allopolyploidization) can be propagated in vitro, thus transferring complete chromosome sets from both scion and rootstock.

Here is a link to a 2014 article:

https://www.nature.com/articles/nature13291

Cheers,

Leo

Dear Noushad, local regulations exist regarding the rules to determine if a genotype

is new variety. However, some basic and common principles or rules exist. First, it must be demonstrated that the character is really new. Second, the new character must be stable. Third, the new variety has not been previously registered.

It depends upon , what traits you identified different from your ruling variety , whether comes through breeding or through clonal slection .

The practice of grafting a piece of improved germplasm (i.e. a twig from one plant) into another one (usually a wild rootstock) being both taxonomically related is very old and constitutes an example of asexual propagation.

The idea behind this practice is to take advantage of the resilience and adaptability of the rootstock to unfavorable soil conditions which otherwise would hinder the growth and establishment of the improved germplasm.

Such practice is very common in fruit trees propagation although it has also being experimented on other species as well. Some experiments have demonstrated that we can graft different improved germplasm into the same rootstock as far as the tissues are taxonomically compatible. For example, we can use a wild lemon tree as a rootstock and graft into it mandarins and oranges so we harvest to different fruits from the same tree.

However, despite the agronomical benefits transferred from the rootstock to the grafted material that doesn't imply that the resultant product is a variety per se.

In the strict sense of the word, a variety is germplasm capable of breeding true. In other words, when allowed to sexually reproduce (seed production) the progeny is genetically and phenotypically similar to their progenitors. Not only that, when the progeny reaches sexual maturity is also capable of reproducing themselves, in the same manner, perpetuating the population through time and space.

In conclusion, grafting is a type of artificial asexual propagation meanwhile varieties are the product of sexual reproduction sometimes artificial as in the case of controlled pollination (plant breeding) or natural as in the case of the self-pollinated species (e.g., beans, sorghum, coffee, etc.).

I hope this helps to share some light on this subject.

If you're referring just to the aerial (flowering) part, the improvement clearly relies on the identity of the rootstock and so will not meet the criteria for a new cultivar (a better term than 'variety' in this context). On the other hand the rootstock itself could well be a candidate, but only with evidence from horticultural trials (if that applies to India).

It cannot be immediately called as a new variety. This requires a test, to prove changes in phenotypes caused by genetic changes. improvement in a flower not caused by the rootstock, this can be caused by the environment or mutation

If a wild rootstock is used for grafting and there is improvement in a flower variety, it never called a variety. A cultivar or variety is a plant variety that has been produced in cultivation by selective breeding.

Noushad Parvez & Kourosh Vahdati The 2014 article I mentioned in my earlier comment is available on ResearchGate. (Link below) I am not a specialist just interested, but doesn't that paper indicate a variety or cultivar can result from a graft if allopolyploidization occurs? They use the term "speciation"

From the paper: "We show that upon grafting- a mechanism of plant-plant interaction that is widespread in nature- entire nuclear genomes can be transferred between plant cells. We provide direct evidence for this process resulting in speciation by creating a new allopolyploid plant species from a herbaceous species and a woody species in the nightshade family. The new species is fertile and produces fertile progeny. Our data highlight natural grafting as a potential asexual mechanism of speciation and also provide a method for the generation of novel allopolyploid crop species."

Article Horizontal genome transfer as an asexual path to the formati...

If used grafting there is improvement in a flower variety, but never is new variety, because those changes may not be stable. For a new variety it is required to test stable changes in phenotypes caused by genetic changes.

It would definitely remain the same variety without any genetic modification, however the rootstock and graft interaction would be positive.

I do agree with all those who claim there is not a new variety. The robusticity of rootstock enhances scion performance, which often improves agronomic traits. However, those traits are not enough evidence to call it a new variety. What you can suggest is the introduction of the (X ) rootstock to improve (y) scion performance.

Cheers,

Maria. D

Leo Atwood From the article you provided ( Ignacia Fuentes ): the authors had induced 'new plant lines' from the crafting, where the genome of the new plant line is different from the crafting parents. They used tissue culture to induce these new plant lines, or you can really call them 'new variety' (Figure b and c in the attachment). Figure and paper (from Nature) are attached. It is a very interesting paper. If Noushad Parvez can do the same (as that described in the paper) and prove the induced plantlets are different from their crafting parents, then the resulted new plant lines can be called new variety, and warrant for a new plant variety protection (PVP). [click on the attachment to view the whole figure]

Grafting is a method of clonal propagation and should not be considered a method of plant breeding, therefore new varieties cannot be produced.

Leo Atwood and Yuan-Yeu Yau Thank you for sharing the article "Horizontal genome transfer as an asexual path to the formation of new species", it is very interesting. Regarding the method used, could it be called somatic hybridization?

Angel David Hernández-Amasifuen

The existing term 'somatic hybridization' has been around for decades. It involves 'cell fusion' (see attachment). However, in this article, it states "We show that upon grafting—a mechanism of plant–plant interaction that is wide spread in nature—entire nuclear genomes can be transferred between plant cells". Seems that no 'cell fusion' is involved (I have not yet get to read the whole article). So, personally, I think it is better to use a new term for this new phenomenon to avoid confusion.

(click to see the whole attachment) After you 'think' that you have a 'new variety', you want to file 'Plant Variety Protection (PVP)' to protect your new plant line. File for PVP can also get your 'new' variety certified. In the U.S., if you want to file PVP, you need to provide 3,000 untreated seeds for examination (see attachment). I don't know what kind of examination they carry out--> compare the difference between the 'new variety' and its parents? If the results are no difference between your so-called 'new variety' and the parents', PVP office probably won't certify your variety as a new variety.

Can you pass me the link of the article? @ Yuan-Yeu

I agree with Dr Vahdati. Diversity in flower colour must made by breedsing.

L. David Vera Pinargote

Attached is the PVPO PDF you requested. You can see the PVP office requires a statement of distinctness between your 'new variety' and current existing varieties to certify your plant variety as a NEW variety.

Its a question of debet but

As per me this is not a new variety because in horticulture breeding once hybrid release than after only grafted plant can sold in market where root stoch of local variety and scion of concern variety so variety type depend on scion rather than stock.

it is my openion

To become a new variety it should be genetically different but grafting has no role in genetic modification therefore, we can't create new variety by grafting.

Yes, it is not consider as new variety because do not change morphology of plant. Only impart resistance related to some diease

I think it is not new variety. Because this not stable characters. The next generation will no carry the same characters. It is only for the grafted plant. That is temporary change occur in this regard. So you can't claim as a new variety. Thanks

The technique you can spread and get its credit but it can not be a new variety. It will be good for the publication part but owing its whole credit is questionable thing

If the root-stock is a mutant (different from wild type), it is a new root-stock variety.

It should follow the guidelines of UPOV In India It should follow the guidelines of PPV and FRA.

The conditions to call it variety is depend on some factors like:-

1) As per your case you have mentioned that the flower colour was found distinct but it should be found in every flowering season it must gives similar flower size always ....

2) There must be some unique difference to say it as variety, If all the points were fulfilled.

3) Then you can follow the guidelines of PPV and UPOV. As many researchers have added that related file.

Influence of root-stock on scion and vice-a versa has been observed in several horticultural crops like citrus, apple, ber, guava etc. particularly on plant vigour, flowering, fruiting, fruit quality, disease control etc. Besides, use of root-stocks also play vital role in conditions such as moisture stress, salinity, alkalinity etc.

In present case, influence of root-stock was on flowering of scion, which is a component plant developed by vegetative method (grafting) not by breeding techniques. Thus, it can not be considered as a variety for distinct and stable character. Though, it posses some merit for further exploitation.

Thank you for the valuable suggestions

Breeding goals obtain only by sexual methods.

Hi,

l think we can't create new variety by grafting