Background
on L-93 and PVP Protection
As you might know, there have been recent
reports that the proprietary status of the
Loft’s L-93 variety (or “L-93”)
is in question because the U.S.D.A. Plant
Variety Protection office has deemed the cultivar’s
Plant Variety Protection application abandoned.
Reports have further indicated that the PVP
action could allow “generic” versions
of the popular L-93 cultivar to be sold into
the marketplace.
A Response from Simplot
J.R. Simplot Company, acquired the rights
to the variety in a U.S. bankruptcy court
auction.
Simplot and its Jacklin
Seed group are concerned about protecting
their distributor and end-user customers
from renegade seed. At this time, we recommend
that our customers look for the blue certification
tag. It is their ultimate assurance that
the genetic material inside the product
that they purchase is genuine L-93.
Jacklin Seed and our distributors are proud
to continue to market L-93 with its outstanding
performance in NTEP trials and worldwide
customer satisfaction and stand ready to
assist you with any questions you may have.
What is Simplot doing to help golf course
superintendents, seed distributors, and
other turf professionals with this situation?
The main issue is that even if non-certified
L-93 seed is in the marketplace, our customers
needn’t worry. All they need to do
is check the bucket or bag for a blue certification
tag. Alternatively, Jacklin Seed representatives
can verify the seed origins using the lot
number.
Background on
PVP and Certification
The Plant Variety Protection Act (PVPA),
enacted in December of 1970, and amended
in 1994, provides legal intellectual property
rights protection, to developers of new
varieties of plants that are sexually reproduced
(by seed) or are tuber-propagated. The PVPA
is administered by the United States Department
of Agriculture.
Seed certification addresses genetic purity.
Thus, although the PVP application for L-93
may have been abandoned, the seed from Jacklin
Seed can still be certified. Regardless
of the PVP, the only true L-93 in the market
bears the certification tag. Nothing else
does.
Some facts you
should know about L-93
L-93 is currently gracing the greens, tees
and fairways of premier golf courses around
the globe. Its reputation for providing
great disease resistance without changing
standard maintenance practices has made
it the leading name among creeping bentgrass
varieties. It is widely adapted for use
across North America and is also an ideal
choice for use elsewhere.
L-93 features dense upright growth that
creates a perfect lie for the golf ball.
It demonstrates exceptional resistance to
dollar spot, Microdochium patch and warm
season brown patch. Resistance to leaf spot
has also been demonstrated.
These are the characteristics that can ONLY
be found in genuine L-93, which is marketed
by Jacklin Seed. "Generic" L-93
could be anything since it won’t be
certified.
