Detailed guide: VCU protocols and procedures for testing agricultural crops

As part of the application process to add an agricultural crop to the National List, the plant must be tested to confirm whether the variety has satisfactory value for cultivation or use (VCU).

The growing trials for all crops, except potatoes, are organised by the British Society of Plant Breeders (BSPB). The trials for potatoes are organised by Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA).

These trials are normally carried out for a minimum of 2 years, comparing the performance of candidate varieties with varieties already on the National Lists.

The trials use the VCU protocols and procedures approved by the Plant Variety and Seeds Committee, which represents the national authorities on seed issues to establish VCU.

Protocols

Crops

• 
  Cereals (wheat, barley, oats, triticale, rye, spelt wheat)
  (PDF, 119KB, 15 pages)
  

• 
  Field beans
  (PDF, 96.3KB, 11 pages)
  

• 
  Field peas
  (PDF, 96.1KB, 10 pages)
  

• 
  Forage and grain maize
  (PDF, 118KB, 11 pages)
  

• 
  Grasses (perennial, Italian and hybrid ryegrass, timothy and festulolium)
  (PDF, 57.5KB, 12 pages)
  

• 
  Minor crops
  (PDF, 69.2KB, 19 pages)
  

• 
  Red clover and lucerne
  (PDF, 118KB, 12 pages)
  

• 
  Potato
  (PDF, 104KB, 9 pages)
  

• 
  Spring oilseed rape
  (PDF, 102KB, 10 pages)
  

• 
  Sugar beet
  (PDF, 39.6KB, 8 pages)
  

• 
  White clover
  (PDF, 49.8KB, 10 pages)
  

• 
  Winter oilseed rape
  (PDF, 39.5KB, 11 pages)
  

Trials

• 
  Trial inspection and data validation
  (PDF, 62.7KB, 3 pages)
  

• 
  Test, trial design and data handling
  (PDF, 60.9KB, 3 pages)
  

• 
  Data review, standard setting and decision making
  (PDF, 129KB, 4 pages)
  

Procedures – for 2019 harvest

• 
  Field peas
  (PDF, 682KB, 30 pages)
  

• 
  Spring oilseed rape
  (PDF, 233KB, 25 pages)
  

• 
  Winter oilseed rape
  (PDF, 405KB, 33 pages)
  

Minor crops

• 
  Minor crops introduction
  (PDF, 140KB, 4 pages)
  

• 
  Linseed
  (PDF, 350KB, 23 pages)
  

• 
  Mustard
  (PDF, 236KB, 21 pages)
  

• 
  Soya bean
  (PDF, 270KB, 22 pages)
  

• 
  Spring lupin
  (PDF, 203KB, 22 pages)
  

• 
  Sunflower
  (PDF, 196KB, 21 pages)
  

Procedures – for 2018 harvest

• 
  Cereals (wheat, barley, oats, triticale, rye, spelt wheat)
  (PDF, 547KB, 57 pages)
  

• 
  Field beans
  (PDF, 381KB, 33 pages)
  

• 
  Field peas
  (PDF, 644KB, 31 pages)
  

• 
  Forage and grain maize
  (PDF, 265KB, 30 pages)
  

• 
  Grasses (perennial, Italian and hybrid ryegrass, tall and meadow fescue, timothy and festulolium)
  (PDF, 371KB, 36 pages)
  

• 
  Potato
  (PDF, 429KB, 28 pages)
  

• 
  Red clover and lucerne
  (PDF, 222KB, 24 pages)
  

• 
  Spring oilseed rape
  (PDF, 234KB, 25 pages)
  

• 
  Sugar beet
  (PDF, 234KB, 29 pages)
  

• 
  White clover
  (PDF, 230KB, 26 pages)
  

• 
  Winter oilseed rape
  (PDF, 441KB, 33 pages)
  

Minor crops

• 
  Minor crops introduction
  (PDF, 140KB, 4 pages)
  

• 
  Fodder kale
  (PDF, 193KB, 21 pages)
  

• 
  Forage rape
  (PDF, 194KB, 21 pages)
  

• 
  Forage rye
  (PDF, 193KB, 20 pages)
  

• 
  Linseed
  (PDF, 348KB, 23 pages)
  

• 
  Mustard
  (PDF, 236KB, 21 pages)
  

• 
  Soya bean
  (PDF, 271KB, 22 pages)
  

• 
  Spring lupin
  (PDF, 204KB, 22 pages)
  

• 
  Sunflower
  (PDF, 196KB, 21 pages)
  

Procedures – for 2014 harvest

Trials

• 
  Trial inspection and data validation
  (PDF, 93.2KB, 13 pages)
  

• 
  Test and trial design and data handling
  (PDF, 54.7KB, 8 pages)
  

• 
  Guidance note for data review, standard setting and decision making
  (PDF, 54.2KB, 8 pages)