FOUNDATION SEED PRODUCTION


The production and maintenance of foundation seed of all currently grown and newly released public rice varieties is an important CRES activity. The foundation seed program is a cooperative program between CCRRF and Foundation Seed and Certification Services at UCD. Its purpose is to assure availability of pure, weed free, and high quality seed of public rice varieties for the benefit of the California rice industry. This California public rice breeding program has developed 36 improved rice varieties since the accelerated research program began in 1969. Although the foundation seed program is self-sustaining and not supported with CRRB funds, the cooperation of CCRRF-UC-USDA-CRRB makes the program possible and has resulted in an estimated 90% use of certified seed by the California rice industry. Foundation seed of 17 public rice varieties and basic seed of two Japanese premium quality varieties were produced on 186 acres  at CRES in 2005. California rice growers interested in producing foundation seed should contact their local UC Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor for further information and applications. Seed allocations are performed by the Foundation Seed and Certification Services, University of California, Davis CA 95616.

The foundation seed program at RES provides an adequate supply of pure, high quality seed of publicly developed rice varieties for California rice seed growers. Foundation seed of new or old California rice varieties has not and will not be provided to anyone for seed increase purposes except California rice growers through the foundation seed program. In 1988 the CCRRF Board of Directors adopted a new policy to protect new rice varieties under the U.S. Plant Variety Protection Act, Title V of the National Seed Act. Joint CCRRF-UC-USDA variety releases will continue with CCRRF designated owner of future varieties. Export of seed of protected rice varieties will be prohibited unless written authorization is granted by CCRRF. Seed of protected varieties may be sold only as a class of certified seed produced in California unless written permission is granted by CCRRF because of certified seed shortages, in which case grade (common) seed sales may be permitted. No royalties will be assessed on seed of future rice varieties. This policy is not designed to restrict germplasm exchange and use of California rice varieties by legitimate rice breeding or research programs.  In 2000 CCRRF began seeking additional protection for new rice varieties in the form of US Utility Patents. This decision was made in response the growth in the biotechnology sector and the  use of CCRRF rice varieties in private genetic engineering breeding programs. US Patents have been issued for Calhikari-201, M-402, M-104, M-205,  and M-206. L-206, Calmati-202, and M-208 patent applications have been submitted. Use of these varieties for research purposes requires a Material Transfer Agreement from CCRRF. No royalties are assessed on for commercial production of these varieties.  

S-102   M-104   M-202  M-205  M-206  M-208  M-401  M-402  L-205  L-206  Calmochi-101  Calhikari-201  Calmati-201  Calmati-202 Calamylow-201

CCRRF initiated a voluntary and aggressive testing program of foundation seed for the presence of the Liberty Link Trait that was discovered at trace levels in Southern US long-grain rice in 2006. This included GIPSA approved third party PCR testing for the LLRice601 event, any Liberty Link trait (35S::bar), and sampling and testing by USDA-APHIS. Results involving a total of 98 pooled PCR tests were non-detect on all samples. In addition, CCRRF foundation and basic seed samples for 2007 sale were tested as required by the California Rice Commission and were all non-detect.

   

 

 



Last Update: 06/11/2007