Abstract: We used the general introduction to the examination of distinctness, uniformity, and stability (TG/1/3), guidelines to identify and conduct tests for distinctness, uniformity, and stability of common vetch (TG/32/7), and related documents developed by the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) as guidelines to study the core technical content of the common vetch DUS test guidelines, which include test characteristics and reference varieties. We collected 51 common vetch varieties from around the world and evaluated their characteristics in a 2-year field trial. We evaluated 31 test characteristics, including 23 UPOV common vetch DUS test characteristics, and eight new characteristics representative of the distinctness feature. The expression status, and the observation period/method/number of each characteristic were scientifically graded and accurately described. Finally, a total of 32 reference varieties (21 international varieties and 11 varieties from China) corresponding to 123 expression states were screened. We further complemented the expression states of “ground color of test” and “seed shape” in the UPOV common vetch DUS test guidelines. This study lays a technical foundation for the development of new common vetch varieties in accordance with DUS test guidelines in China. The establishment of these reference varieties and testing guidelines will be useful for the protection, validation, and breeding of common vetch in China.

Key words: Vicia sativa, DUS test, UPOV, characteristics, reference variety