kultivarene

Kultivarene are cultivated plant varieties that have been selected and maintained for specific, heritable traits. The term cultivar is short for cultivated variety, and kultivarene denotes those varieties in languages such as Norwegian. Cultivars are created by breeders or growers who select plants with desirable characteristics and propagate them to retain those traits.

To qualify as a kultivar, a group of plants must be distinct from other varieties, uniform in appearance, and stable under propagation and over successive generations (the DUS criteria: distinct, uniform, and stable).

Naming and protection: Cultivar names are formal labels used to identify a cultivar, often set off in single quotes and used with the genus and species (for example Rosa 'Peace'). The International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants (ICNCP) governs cultivation-nomenclature and catalogs, with plant breeders' rights programs (under UPOV) providing protection for selected varieties in many countries.

Propagation and maintenance: Most cultivars are maintained by vegetative methods, such as cuttings, grafts, or tissue culture, so that the trait combination is preserved. Some seed-propagated cultivars exist, but they may require repeated selection to maintain uniformity and the desired traits.

Role and use: Kultivarene are central to horticulture, agriculture, and landscaping, enabling consistent product performance, marketing, and legal rights for breeders. They form the basis of plant variety registration, trade, and consumer recognition. Common examples include Rosa 'Peace' and Malus domestica 'Granny Smith'.