1972L0168 — EN — 14.02.2002 — 001.001 — 1
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►B COMMISSIONDIRECTIVE
of14April1972
ondeterminingthecharacteristics andminimumconditionsforinspectingvegetable varieties
(72/168/EEC)
(OJ L 103, 2.5.1972, p. 6)
Amended by:
Official Journal
No page date
►M1Commission Directive 2002/8/EC of 6 February 2002 L 37 7 7.2.2002
▼B
COMMISSIONDIRECTIVE
of14April1972
on determining the characteristics and minimum conditions for
inspectingvegetable varieties
(72/168/EEC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic
Community;
Having regard to the Council Directive(1) of 29 September 1970 on the
marketing of vegetable seed, as amended by the Directive of 30 March
1971,(2) and in particular Article 7 (2) thereof;
Whereas, in accordance with the provisions of the abovementioned
Directive, Member Statesare obliged to compile one or more catalo-guesof the varietiesaccepted for certification and ins pection ofstandard seed and marketing in their territory;
Whereasthe acceptance of varietiesiss ubject to Community condi-
tions which must be enforced by means of official inspections and in
particular by crop inspections;
Whereas the inspections must cover a sufficient number of characteris-
ticsto enable the varietiesto be des cribed;
Whereas the minimum characteristics which have to undergo inspection
should be determined at Community level;
Whereas, moreover, the minimum conditions for carrying out the
inspections must be laid down;
Whereas these characteristics and minimum conditions for inspection
should be laid down in the light of the present state of scientific andtechnical knowledge;
Whereasthe meas uresprovided for in thisDirective are in accordance
with the Opinion of the Standing Committee on Seedsand Propagating
Material for Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry;
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
Article 1
1. Member Statess hall provide that the official examinationscarried
out for the acceptance of varieties shall cover at least the followingcharacteristics:
(a) for tomato ( Lycopersicon lycopersicum L. Karsten ex. Farw.), leek
(Allium porrum L.), French beans( Phaseolus vulgaris L.), cabbage
(Brassica oleracea L. convar. Capitata (L.) Alef.), cauliflower
(Brassica oleracea L. convar. Botrytis (L.) Alef. Var. botrytis L.)
and lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L.), those characteristics listed in the
respective test guidelines entitled ‘Protocol for Distinctness,Uniformity and Stability Tests’, issued by the AdministrativeCouncil of the Community Plant Variety Office pursuant to Article56 of Council Regulation (EC) No 2100/94(
3), and published in the
Official Gazette of the Community Plant Variety Office.
All the characteristics shall be referred to, providing that observa-
tion of a characteristic is not rendered impossible by the expressionof any other characteristic, and providing that the expression of acharacteristic is not prevented by the environmental conditions1972L0168 — EN — 14.02.2002 — 001.001 — 2
(1) OJ No L 225, 12.10.1970, p. 7.
(2) OJ No L 87, 17.4.1971, p. 24.
(3) OJ L 227, 1.9.1994, p. 1.▼M1
▼M1
under which the test is conducted. This provision is without preju-
dice to the application of provisions governing vegetable varieties.
(b) for other vegetable species, those characteristics listed in Annex I.
2. Member States shall ensure that:
(a) in respect of the vegetable species listed in point (a) of paragraph
1, the minimum requirementsfor carrying out the examinationsinrespect of trial design and growing conditions, as laid down in thetest guideline referred to in paragraph 1, point (a), are fulfilled atthe time of the examinations;
(b) in respect of other vegetable species, the minimum requirements
for carrying out the examinations, as listed in Annex II, arefulfilled at the time of the examinations.
Article 2
Member Statess hall bring into force not later than 1 July 1972 the
laws, regulations or administrative provisions necessary to comply
with this Directive. They shall forthwith inform the Commission
thereof.
Article 3
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.1972L0168 — EN — 14.02.2002 — 001.001 — 3
▼B
▼B
ANNEXI
1.ONION
Allium cepa L.
1. Leaves:
1.1 height1.2 colour
1.3 glaucescence: presence or absence
2. Bulb:
2.1 colour of outer skin
2.2 colour of the flesh
2.3 ring formation of the flesh2.4 shape
2.5 dry matter content
3. Classification of early maturity
3.CHERVIL
Anthriscus cerefolium (L.) Hoffm.
1. Habit of the plant2. Leaf:
2.1 colour
2.2 surface2.3 shape of the folioles
2.4 indentation of the folioles
3. Flower: length of the scape
4.CELERY
Apium graveolensI
A.Ribbedcelery
1. Plant:
1.1 habit
1.2 suckers: presence or absence
2. Leaves:
2.1 colour
2.2 variegation: presence or absence
3. Petiole:
3.1 structure: solid or hollow
3.2 colour
3.3 anthocyanin: presence or absence
3.4 length
3.5 width3.6 shape of cross-section
4. Propensity to whiten: natural or artificial1972L0168 — EN — 14.02.2002 — 001.001 — 4
▼M1
▼B
▼B
B.Celeriac
1. Leaves(at the beginning of tuber development):
1.1 habit1.2 height
1.3 number
1.4 size of the folioles1.5 anthocyanin on the petiole: presence or absence
2. Tuber:
2.1 size2.2 shape
2.3 size of protrusions
2.4 type of insertion of roots2.5 number of roots
2.6 thickness of roots
2.7 appearance of epidermis
3. Colour on cooking
5.ASPARAGUS
Asparagus officinalis L.
1. Torion:
1.1 intensity of the anthocyanic colouring of the tip
1.2 diameter
2. Sexual distribution: bisexual or male variety3. Classification of early maturity
6.SPINACHBEET,CHARD
Beta vulgarisL. var. cycla (L.) Ulrich
1. Plant:
1.1 shoots: presence or absence
1.2 habit of the leaves
2. Leaf (at the adult plant stage):
2.1 length, including petiole
2.2 shape2.3 blistering
2.4 colour
2.5 width of the main leaf-vein system2.6 cross-section of the petiole
3. Monogerm
7.REDBEETorBEETROOT
Beta vulgarisL. var es culenta L.
1. Leaves:
1.1 Leaf/root ratio
1.2 intensity of anthocyanic colouring
2. Root:
2.1 shape
2.2 shape of the base2.3 appearance of cork on the skin1972L0168 — EN — 14.02.2002 — 001.001 — 5
▼B
2.4 external colour
2.5 colour of the flesh
3. Monogerm4. Classification of early maturity
8.CURLYKALE
Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala D. C. subvar. Laciniata L.
1. Height of stalk2. Leaf:
2.1 shape
2.2 colour2.3 degree of curl
10.SPROUTINGBROCCOLIorCALABRESE
Brassica oleracea L. convar. botrytis L. Alef. var. italica Plenck
1. Stalk:
1.1 length1.2 ramifications: presence or absence
2. Leaf:
2.1 undulation of edgesof the lamina2.2 anthocyanin: presence or absence
3. Inflorescence (before blooming of the first flower):
3.1 size3.2 shape
3.3 firmness
3.4 colour3.5 bracts: apparent or non-apparent3.6 likelihood of second flowering
11.BRUSSELSSPROUTS
Brassica oleracea L. var. bullata subvar. gemmifera D C.
1. Stalk: length (at the mature plant stage)
2. Leaf: colour
3. Sprout:
3.1 size
3.2 shape
4. Classification of early maturity
15.KOHLRABI
Brassica oleracea L. var. gongylodes L.
1. Plant size2. Leaf: colour
3. Tuber:
3.1 shape3.2 colour1972L0168 — EN — 14.02.2002 — 001.001 — 6
▼M1
▼B
▼M1
▼B
▼B
4. Classification of occurrence of fibrousness
5. Classification of early maturity
16.SPRINGTURNIP—AUTUMNTURNIP
Brassica rapa L. var. rapa (L.) Thell
1. Leaves (to be noted just before harvesting and from mature plants):
1.1 type of leaf: whole or not1.2 leaf/root ratio
2. Root:
2.1 shape
2.2 colour of top2.3 colour of the flesh
17.CHILI,PEPPER,CAPSICUM
Capsicum annuum L.
1. Seedling:
1.1 anthocyanin on the hypocotyl axis: presence or absence
1.2 intensity of green colouring on the hypocotyl axis
2. Plant: length between nodes
3. Fruit:
3.1 habit3.2 size
3.3 shape (excluding the first fruit)
3.3.1 shape of longitudinal cross-section3.3.2 shape of the peduncle
3.3.3 shape of the apex
3.4 colour
3.4.1 colour (before ripening)
3.4.2 colour (when ripe)
3.5 thickness of the flesh3.6 appearance of the surface of the fruit
3.7 capsaicin: presence or absence
4. Classification of early maturity
18.ENDIVE
Cichorium endivia L.
1. Habit of the plant
2. Leaves:
2.1 appearance of the heart
2.2 shape of young leaves of the heart (Scarole)
2.3 shape of the mature plant2.4 colour of the leaf
2.5 shine of the leaf
2.6 appearance of the surface of the lamina (Scarole)2.7 appearance of the edge of the lamina
2.8 anthocyanin on the principal leaf veins: presence or absence (Frisée)
3. Classification of early maturity4. Resistance to bolting1972L0168 — EN — 14.02.2002 — 001.001 — 7
▼B
19.CHICORY
Cichorium intybus L. var. foliosum Bisch.
A.Witloofchicory
1. Leaves:
tendency to early drying (to be noted in the Autumn of the 1st year)
2. Head: shape3. Classification of early maturity on forcing4. Rate of growth of the heart
B.Large-leavedchicory (Italian chicory)
1. Leaf (vegetative phase):
1.1 shape
1.2 anthocyanin: presence or absence
2. Heart:
2.1 shape
2.2 shoots: presence or absence
2.3 anthocyanin: presence or absence2.4 intensity of green colouring
2.5 blistering of the leaf
20.WATERMELON
CitrullusvulgarisL.
1. Stalks:
1.1 anthocyanin: presence or absence
1.2 pilosity: presence or absence
2. Leaf (at the beginning of flowering):
2.1 depth of denticulation
2.2 pilosity: presence or absence
3. Flower (at the time of formation of the first fruits):
3.1 shape of the corolla
3.2 pilosity of the calyx: presence or absence
4. Sex
5. Fruit (at the stage preceding ripeness)
5.1 size5.2 shape
5.3 ribs: presence or absence
5.4 basic colour of the rind (epicarp)5.5 colour of marbling of the rind (epicarp)
5.6 colour of the flesh (endocarp)
5.7 flesh cavity: presence or absence5.8 texture of the flesh
5.9 seeds: presence or absence
6. Seed: (ripe and dry)
6.1 size
6.2 shape
6.3 colour: unicoloured or multicoloured
7. Ploidy level1972L0168 — EN — 14.02.2002 — 001.001 — 8
▼B
21.MELON
Cucumismelo L.
1. Seedling:
1.1 length of the hypocotyl axis1.2 size of the cotyledons
2. Sex
3. Fruit:
3.1 size
3.2 shape
3.3 loosening of the penduncle
3.4 ribs3.5 broderic
3.6 colour of the rind (before ripening)
3.7 colour of the rind (when ripe)
3.8 marbling and specks
3.9 colour of the flesh
4. Seed: (ripe and dry)
4.1 size4.2 colour
5. Classification of the sugar content of the fruit (when ripe)
6. Classification of early maturity
22.CUCUMBER—GHERKIN
Cucumiss ativusL.
1. Seedling: bitterness: presence or absence
2. Inflorescence: number of female flowers at each female level
3. Sex
4. Fruit:
4.1 length
4.2 colour (before ripening and when ripe)4.3 size and colour of thorns
4.4 size and colour of hairs
4.5 number and size of warts
4.6 grooves
4.7 broderic of the ripe fruit
4.8 neck: presence or absence
4.9 parthenocarpic development4.10 bitterness: presence or absence
5. Classification of early maturity
23.MARROW
Cucurbita pepo L.
1. Type of growth of the plant
2. Stalks:
2.1 length between the nodes
2.2 cross-section
3. Leaf (at the beginning of flowering):
3.1 shape1972L0168 — EN — 14.02.2002 — 001.001 — 9
▼B
3.2 depth of denticulations
3.3 stains: presence or absence3.4 tendrils: presence or absence
4. Flowers:
4.1 length of the penduncle of male flowers
4.2 corolla of female flowers: persistence or non-persistence
5. Sexual distribution6. Fruit:
6.1 shape (at the harvesting stage)
6.2 ribs: presence or absence (at the harvesting stage)
6.3 basic colour of the rind (at the harvesting stage)6.4 colour of the marbling of the rind (at the harvesting stage)6.5 colour of the rind (when fully ripe)
6.6 marbling: presence or absence (when fully ripe)
7. Seed (ripe and dry): size8. Classification of early maturity
24.CARROT
Daucus carota L. ssp. sativus (Hoffm.) Hayek
1. Leaves: height2. Root:
2.1 length
2.2 shape
2.3 external colour
3. Seed (ripe and dry)—pilosity: presence or absence4. Classification of early maturity
25.FENNEL
Foeniculum vulgare P. Mill.
1. Habit of the plant2. Leaf: dimensions of laciniae
3. Grumolo:
3.1 shape3.2 imbricationsof s heaths3.3 fibrousness of sheaths
3.4 shoots: presence or absence
27.PARSLEY
Petroselinum hortense Hoffm.
1. Leaves:
1.1 height1.2 shape1.3 colour
2. Type of root1972L0168 — EN — 14.02.2002 — 001.001 — 10
▼M1
▼B
▼B
28.RUNNERBEAN
Phaseolus coccineus L.
1. Type of growth2. Flower: colour3. Pod:
3.1 length
3.2 fibres: presence or absence
4. Seed (ripe and dry): colour
30.PEA
Pisum sativum L. (excl. P. arvense L.)
1. Plant
1.1 type of growth (dwarf or climbing)1.2 number of the 1st floral node (excluding the cotyledon node)
2. Leaf:
2.1 colour2.2 maculation of the stipules: presence or absence
3. Inflorescence:
3.1 number of flowersby inflores cence3.2 shape of the base of the vexillum: in V shape or not
4. Pod:
4.1 length (in the dry state)4.2 shape of the free end4.3 dorsal profile (at the 2nd floral node)4.4 colour of the green seed4.5 parchment: presence of absence4.6 number of ovules
5. Seed (ripe and dry):
5.1 size5.2 shape (including appearance)5.3 colour of the tegument
5.4 colour of the cotyledons
5.5 shape of the grains of starch (simple or compound)
31.RADISH
Raphanuss ativusL.
A.Raphanussativus L. var.niger Pers.
1. Leaf: (observations from the 4th to the 7th leaf)
1.1 length1.2 general shape1.3 denticulation1.4 colour of the petiole1.5 size of the terminal foliole1.6 colour of the terminal foliole1972L0168 — EN — 14.02.2002 — 001.001 — 11
▼M1
▼B
▼B
2. Root:
2.1 size2.2 shape
2.3 shape of shoulders
2.4 colour of the shoulders
2.5 shape of the end
2.6 appearance of the epidermis
2.7 colour of the epidermis
3. Classification of early maturity
B.Raphanussativus L. var.radiculaPers.
1. Leaf: (observations from the 3rd leaf)
1.1 length
1.2 general shape
1.3 denticulation
1.4 colour
2. Root:
2.1 shape
2.2 colour of the epidermis
3. Classification of early maturity
32.SCORZONERAORBLACKSALSIFY
Scorzonera hispanica L.
1. Root:
1.1 length
1.2 shape
1.3 appearance of epidermis1.4 colour of epidermis
34.AUBERGINEorEGGPLANT
Solanum melongena L.
1. Seedling:
1.1 anthocyanin on the hypocotyl axis: presence or absence
1.2 habit of the cotyledons
1.3 shape of the cotyledons
2. Plant:
2.1 length between the nodes
2.2 shape of the mature leaf
2.3 pilosity of the end of the stems
2.4 anthocyanin on the ends of the stems: presence or absence2.5 spinosity (to be noted from the calyx)
3. Fruit:
3.1 size
3.2 shape
3.3 colour
3.4 shine1972L0168 — EN — 14.02.2002 — 001.001 — 12
▼M1
▼B
▼B
3.5 distribution of pigments
3.6 pigments under the calyx: presence or absence
3.7 anthocyanin: presence or absence
3.8 nature of the anthocyanin3.9 colour of the flesh
4. Classification of early maturity: period between germination and flowering
35.SPINACH
Spinacia oleracea L.
1. Plant: rate of growth
2. Leaf: (at the stage of maximum development of the first four leaves)
2.1 habit of the petiole
2.2 length of the petiole
2.3 colour
3. Leaves: (to be noted from the 7th leaf when the plants reach maximum
development)
3.1 habit of the petiole
3.2 length of the petiole
3.3 colour
3.4 shape of the lamina
3.5 surface of the lamina
4. Seed (ripe and dry): shape
5. Classification of bolting
6. Sexual distribution
7. Resistance to Peronospora spinacial
36.CORN-SALADorLAMB'SLETTUCE
Valerianella locusta (L.) Betcke (v. olitoria Polt.)
1. Size of plant
2. Leaf (at the harvesting stage):
2.1 habit
2.2 shape
2.3 colour2.4 surface: smooth or veined
2.5 pilosity: presence or absence
2.6 shape of the edge of the leaf (to be noted from the tip)
2.7 indentation: presence or absence
3. Seed (ripe and dry):
3.1 size
3.2 shape
4. Classification of early maturity
37.BROADBEAN
Vicia faba major L.
1. Stalk: length
2. Stipule: maculated or not
3. Flower: colour
4. Pod:
4.1 habit1972L0168 — EN — 14.02.2002 — 001.001 — 13
▼B
4.2 length
4.3 number of ovules
5. Seed: (ripe and dry)
5.1 size
5.2 general colour
5.3 tannin: presence or absence5.4 colour of the hilum
38.POPCORN
Zea maysconvar. Micros perma Koern.
39.SWEETCORN
Zea maysconvar. Saccharata Koern.
1. Stalk:
1.1 anthocyanin on the nodes: presence or absence
1.2 level of insertion of the upper car on the principal stem
2. Ear:
2.1 colour of the stigmas (two to three days after coming out)
2.2 length of the peduncle
2.3 length of the spathes2.4 colour of the stalk (at the stage of full ripeness)
3. Seed:
3.1 type of seed harvested3.2 shape
3.3 colour of the apex and of the sides
4. Period between germination and:
4.1 the male flowering
4.2 the female flowering1972L0168 — EN — 14.02.2002 — 001.001 — 14
ANNEXII
A.MINIMUMGENERALCONDITIONS
No SpeciesP = single plants
without precul-
ture
P.P = single plants with
preculture
P + Pa = single plants and
plotsNumber of plantsor s urface area of the plots
per trial
Plotsper trial Trialsper year Yearsof s owing
PlantsPlots (m2)
12 3 4 5 6 7 8
1 Onion P + Pa 150 2 2 2
3 Chervil
(a) rootsP + Pa 40 — 2 2 2
(b) leavesP + Pa — 2 2 2 2
4 Celery P.P 40 2 2 2
5 Asparagus P.P 20 2 2 2
6 Spinach beet, chard P + Pa 40 2 2 2
7 Red beet or beetroot P + Pa 40 2 2 2
8 Curly kale P.P 40 2 2 2
10 Sprouting broccoli or calabrese P.P 40 2 2 2
11 Brussels sprouts P.P 40 2 2 2
15 Kohlrabi P.P 40 (1)2 2 2
16 Spring turnip — Autumn turnip P 40 2 2 2
17 Chili, pepper, capsicum P.P 40 (1)2 2 2▼B1972L0168 — EN — 14.02.2002 — 001.001 — 15▼M1
▼B
▼M1
▼B
▼M1
▼B
No SpeciesP = single plants
without precul-
ture
P.P = single plants with
preculture
P + Pa = single plants and
plotsNumber of plantsor s urface area of the plots
per trial
Plotsper trial Trialsper year Yearsof s owing
PlantsPlots (m2)
12 3 4 5 6 7 8
18 Endive P.P 40 2 2 2
19 Chicory P + Pa 100 2 2 220 Water melon P.P 20 (
1)2 2 2
21 Melon P.P 20 (1)2 3 2
22 Cucumber — Gerkin P 20 (1)2 2 2
23 Marrow P 20 (2)2 2 2
24 Carrot P + Pa 200 (1)2 2 2
25 Fennel P + Pa 40 2 2 2
27 Parsley
(a) leavesP + Pa 40 2 2 2(b) rootsP + Pa 2 2 2 2
28 Runner bean P + Pa 60 2 2 2
30 Pea (on stakes) P + Pa 100 2 2 231 Radish
(a) var.niger P + Pa 50 2 2 2
(b) var.radicula P + Pa 100 2 2 2
32 Scorzonera or black salsify P + Pa 100 2 2 2▼B1972L0168 — EN — 14.02.2002 — 001.001 — 16
▼M1
▼B
▼M1
▼B
No SpeciesP = single plants
without precul-
ture
P.P = single plants with
preculture
P + Pa = single plants and
plotsNumber of plantsor s urface area of the plots
per trial
Plotsper trial Trialsper year Yearsof s owing
PlantsPlots (m2)
12 3 4 5 6 7 8
34 Aubergine or egg plant P.P 30 (1)2 2 2
35 Spinach P + Pa 60 (1)2 2 2
36 Corn salad or lamb's lettuce P + Pa 60 (1)2 2 2
37 Broad bean P + Pa 40 2 2 2
38 Popcorn P + Pa 40 2 2 2
39 Sweet corn P + Pa 40 2 2 2
(1) Thisnumber isreduced by half if the trial iscarried out in a hothous e.
(2) This number is reduced by half in the case of climbing plants.▼B1972L0168 — EN — 14.02.2002 — 001.001 — 17▼M1
▼B
▼B
B.SPECIALREMARKS
1. The person making the application shall make available to the competent
authorities the quantities of seed that the latter consider necessary in order
to carry out the trials and subsequent inspections.
2. The seed must satisfy the quality conditions for seed laid down in Annex II
of the Council Directive(1) of 29 September 1970 on the marketing of vege-
table seed.
3. In the case of perennial plants the trials must be continued until all the char-
acteristics have been observed and noted at least once.
4. If it is not certain whether the method of inspection used in one Member
State is also applied in the other Member States this method must be indi-
cated.
5. If the number of trial groundsper year isnot adhered to, the number of plots
per year should be increased accordingly.
6. The minimum conditionslaid down in part A. may be reduced for checking
genealogical factors.1972L0168 — EN — 14.02.2002 — 001.001 — 18
(1) OJ No L 225, 12.10.1970, p. 7.