Effect of plant variety protection on wheat variety quality
2007 Impact statement- Lesser, William Henri
abstract
Intellectual property rights for plants has increased private investment and breeder numbers. This study examines the effect on the quality of wheat germplasm in Washington state. Using state variety testing data, the intellectual property rights (IPR) system was found to lead to more productive varieties from both public and private breeders.
submitted by
- Lesser, William Henri | Susan Eckert Lynch Professor of Science and Business
issue being addressed
Intellectual property rights for plants, known as plant variety protection (PVP), has increased private investment and breeder numbers. Effects on variety quality remain debated, with critics charging many near copy varieties are released, merely increasing costs with no public benefit. Interested parties include U.S. agricultural policy makers as well as those in developing countries just now applying PVP systems. The debate has become very politicized so that some impartial analysis is needed.
response
Washington state wheat variety trials data over a ten-year period were used to determine the effect of variety ownership—public or private—on productive merit (yield). Hard red spring and soft white winter varieties were examined as different rainfall regions are targeted. The analysis uses the yield difference between a tested variety and the standard "reference" variety, which controls f"r random "ocal factors affecting yields. Systematic control factors are used as well. Results indicate that PVP does lead to the breeding and release of more high-yielding varieties by both the public and private sectors.
impact assessment
Results have been presented at academic meetings and are under review for publication. Effects will come slowly, but will provide factual counter arguments to unbased negative assessments of the effects of PVP on variety merit.
academic priority area
- Applied Social Sciences | CALS academic priority
- Land-Grant Mission | CALS academic priority
topic description
crop breeding
has geographic focus
- Argentina | country
- India | country
- Utah | state
- Wisconsin | state
- Kentucky | state
- Oklahoma | state
- Wyoming | state
- New York State | state
- North Carolina | state
- Pennsylvania | state
- Oregon | state
- North Dakota | state
- Virginia | state
- Michigan | state
- Kansas | state
- Missouri | state
- Arkansas | state
- Illinois | state
- Nevada | state
- New Mexico | state
- Minnesota | state
- Montana | state
- Texas | state
- South Dakota | state
- Washington | state
7 more
funding source description
No external funds were used.
collaborators
Washington State Ag Experiment Station
key personnel
Deepthi Kolady
mission focus
- research | project type
From CALS annual faculty reporting. Imported on August 5, 2008