The most commonly protected plants using Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBR) both in Israel and globally tend to be those with significant commercial value, ease of propagation, and ongoing demand. Here’s an overview:
Most Commonly Protected Plants Under PBR
Globally
- Cereals and Grains
- Wheat, rice, maize, barley — protected mainly for new varieties with improved yield, disease resistance, or drought tolerance.
- Vegetables
- Tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, cucumbers — breeders often seek protection for new varieties with better flavor, appearance, or resistance.
- Fruits
- Apples, cherries, strawberries — especially new varieties with enhanced taste, shelf-life, or disease resistance.
- Ornamental Plants
- Roses, tulips, orchids — protected for their aesthetic qualities and market appeal.
- Legumes and Pulses
- Beans, peas — for improved yields and disease resistance.
- Industrial and Specialized Crops
- Tobacco, cotton, and biofuel crops — for traits like pest resistance or adaptability to environmental stresses.
In Israel
- Horticultural crops dominate due to Israel’s advanced horticultural industry.
- Vegetables and fruits such as peppers, tomatoes, grapes, and citrus are frequently protected.
- Israel also has a focus on developing new varieties suited to its climate, including drought-resistant crops.
Why These Plants?
- Economic Value: High market demand makes protecting innovative varieties financially worthwhile.
- Ease of Propagation: Crops that are easily propagated vegetatively or by seed are more amenable to rights protection.
- Innovation in Traits: Traits like disease resistance, yield improvement, drought tolerance, and improved aesthetics drive protection.
Summary
Globally, the most protected plants are cereals, vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals, often for traits like yield, disease resistance, or appearance. In Israel, horticultural crops such as vegetables and fruits are most common targets for PBR, reflecting the country’s agricultural strengths and market focus.
Find the full series of Plant Breeder’s Rights articles here.
If you have any question about Plant Breeders’ Rights in Israel, please feel free to contact me at Avraham.hermon@jmbdavis.com.
