Variety Review Board
The AOSCA VRB Review Boards provide a valuable service to plant breeders and the seed industry.
Our VRB Crops
VRB Purpose
The purpose of the Variety Review Board system is to determine if new crop varieties meet the eligibility requirements of the AOSCA genetic seed certification standards. The Boards accomplish this by providing a central, standardized, and non-biased procedure followed by all plant breeders submitting review applications to AOSCA. VRB membership is comprised of representatives from seed certification agencies, USDA, and the seed industry, thus offering a peer review process for new varieties.
Plant breeders wanting to enter their new varieties into certification programs access the applications through the AOSCA web site. The process is updated annually to provide an efficient system for gathering information for review by the VRB members. The applications and supporting information are submitted to the AOSCA office for electronic distribution to each review board member. The Boards meet annually to consider the applications that have been submitted for review.
Upon receiving a positive review, new plant varieties are recommended for inclusion into seed certification programs administered by AOSCA Agencies. The plant breeders or owners of these varieties receive a certificate from AOSCA and a final VRB report is published and made available at the end of the season.
A similar process is offered by individual seed certifying agencies in cases where a review board is not available for a specific crop type. AOSCA and seed certifying agencies provide a credible process where new varieties may be recognized for their unique value and characteristics. From there, the varieties enter into seed certification for widespread adoption throughout the industry. It is a good example of many volunteers working together to encourage the continued development of new varieties that will benefit seed producers and their customers.
VRB History
Variety Review Boards started well over 50 years ago when AOSCA was known as the International Crop Improvement Association. The Association developed the first eligibility requirements for varieties entering certification programs, focusing on genetic purity, novelty, and sufficient data to support claims made by plant breeders for these new varieties. The aim of review boards was to provide uniformity among certifying agencies as new varieties were developed and grown for certified seed.
The first review board was for alfalfa, developing its standards with input from USDA, State Experiment Stations, seed certifying agencies, and the seed industry itself. Over the years, other legumes and clover have been added to this VRB. AOSCA today administers four other VRB’s, as well, for grasses, small grains, soybeans, and sunflowers.
VRB Frequently Asked Questions
Variety review applications can be found on the AOSCA.org website. The preferred method to submit your applications is electronically per instructions provided with each crop application. If this is not an option, please contact the AOSCA office at nvrb@aosca.org.
No. Review applications may change from year-to-year and submissions made on outdated forms may need to be resubmitted by the applicant. The AOSCA website will always provide the most current version of the form.
There are generally two types of applications…a first-time review application for new varieties and amendment applications that are used for varieties that have already been reviewed and accepted for inclusion into seed certification programs.
Varieties may be submitted and accepted under an experimental name. If the owner of the variety selects a permanent name for the variety later, it is their responsibility to submit an amendment application to AOSCA, outlining the request for a name change. Amendment applications are available on the AOSCA website.
Meeting the application deadline allows adequate time for the pre-review process and gives the review board members sufficient time for a thorough review prior to the meeting.
Once submitted to AOSCA, the applications undergo a pre-review process. This is not a review for technical merit, but to identify missing data, confirm conflicting information from one page to another, or to request supporting documentation. We will communicate with you and allow you the opportunity to make revisions and resubmit the application. It will then go before the variety review board for final consideration.
You will be notified electronically of the review board’s recommendations. You may be asked to make revisions or to provide additional information at that time, if requested by the review board. If your variety is recommended for certification you will receive a recommendation letter and certificate via email from the AOSCA office.
Typically, the applicant has seven (10) business days from the date of the review (assuming timely notification).
The original applications are retained for six years.
AOSCA annually compiles a report that includes the summary/description pages of the applications recommended for inclusion into seed certification programs. These reports, and an index of all accepted varieties, are available on the AOSCA.org website.
The Alfalfa, Grass, and Sunflower Review Boards currently meet once a year. The Small Grain Review Boards meet twice a year. It has not yet been determined if the Hemp Review Board will meet once or twice a year.
We offer payment by check and electronic payment (a 3% processing fee may be applied).
For Additional Information
For further information about Variety Review Boards administered by AOSCA, please contact the AOSCA office.
AOSCA VRB History
Variety Review Boards started well over 50 years ago when AOSCA was known as the International Crop Improvement Association. The Association developed the first eligibility requirements for varieties entering certification programs, focusing on genetic purity, novelty, and sufficient data to support claims made by plant breeders for these new varieties. The aim of review boards was to provide uniformity among certifying agencies as new varieties were developed and grown for certified seed.
The first review board was for alfalfa, developing its standards with input from USDA, State Experiment Stations, seed certifying agencies, and the seed industry itself. Over the years, other legumes and clover have been added to this VRB. AOSCA today administers four other VRB’s, as well, for grasses, small grains, soybeans, and sunflowers.
AOSCA VRB Purpose
The purpose of the Variety Review Board system is to determine if new crop varieties meet the eligibility requirements of the AOSCA genetic seed certification standards. The Boards accomplish this by providing a central, standardized, and non-biased procedure followed by all plant breeders submitting review applications to AOSCA. VRB membership is comprised of representatives from seed certification agencies, USDA, and the seed industry, thus offering a peer review process for new varieties.
Plant breeders wanting to enter their new varieties into certification programs access the applications through the AOSCA web site. The process is updated annually to provide an efficient system for gathering information for review by the VRB members. The applications and supporting information are submitted to the AOSCA office for electronic distribution to each review board member. The Boards meet annually to consider the applications that have been submitted for review.
Upon receiving a positive review, new plant varieties are recommended for inclusion into seed certification programs administered by AOSCA Agencies. The plant breeders or owners of these varieties receive a certificate from AOSCA and a final VRB report is published and made available at the end of the season.
A similar process is offered by individual seed certifying agencies in cases where a review board is not available for a specific crop type. AOSCA and seed certifying agencies provide a credible process where new varieties may be recognized for their unique value and characteristics. From there, the varieties enter into seed certification for widespread adoption throughout the industry. It is a good example of many volunteers working together to encourage the continued development of new varieties that will benefit seed producers and their customers.
For Additional Information
For further information about Variety Review Boards administered by AOSCA, please contact the AOSCA office.