People who are curious about All-America Selections, AAS Winners, and the AAS Trials, often ask us how we choose the comparison varieties used in our trials.
We’re happy to give you a behind-the-scenes look at our process!
First, why do we use comparison varieties in our AAS Trials?
We use comparison varieties to test the entering breeder’s claims about their new variety. Breeders enter their new, never-before-sold varieties to be tested in our independent, unbiased trial grounds across North America. Like a science experiment, the entry is the variable, and the comparisons, as known performers, are the controls.
For instance, when Marigold Super Hero Spry was entered in the AAS Trial, the breeder claimed it had larger blooms than other marigolds on the market, and its bicolor separation was more intense and stable than the competition. We put their claims to the test by evaluating their entry against well-performing marigolds grown by many home gardeners.
As you can see in the photo below, Super Hero Spry, seen on the far right, proved to live up to the breeder’s claims and became an AAS Winner!
Second, how do we choose the comparisons?
Comparisons are chosen by horticulture experts on our Comparison Committees. These experts are familiar with leading market varieties and are tasked with using their expertise to choose appropriate comparisons for each entry.
We have five unique Comparison Committees.
- Ornamentals from Seed
- Ornamentals from Non-Seed
- Perennials
- Edibles: Tomatoes and Peppers
- Edibles: All Other
Each member of the Comparison Committee is given detailed information about each entry, including the breeder’s claims about the entry, the comparisons the breeder recommends, and photos of the entry. Using that information along with their market knowledge, they suggest which varieties they feel would best test the breeder’s claims.
In addition to the breeder’s claims, committee members also consider traits such as:
- Flower or fruit color
- Foliage color (ie. dark or light green, or bronze)
- Bloom size and type (ie. single or double)
- Fruit size and type (ie. jalapeno or cayenne pepper)
- Propagation method (ie. seed or cutting)
- Plant size or shape (ie. mounded or upright)
- Day length sensitivity
- Maturity (ie. early or late season)
Occasionally, a breeder will submit a variety and claim there is no similar variety on the market.
For example, a breeder may develop a new type of honeydew melon that has orange flesh instead of the traditional green flesh. In this case, the Comparison Committee may suggest a traditional honeydew melon with green flesh as a taste comparison and choose a cantaloupe with orange flesh as a flesh color comparison.
Once each member of the committee has two to three comparison recommendations for each entry, the committee meets. Each member explains their choices and the committee selects the official comparison varieties.
Where do we get the comparison varieties?
Most of the time, breeders or seed companies provide AAS with complimentary seeds or plants for use as trial comparisons. (AAS purchases the comparison seeds or plants if necessary.)
Why would anyone donate the comparisons?
Being chosen as a comparison variety means you are a market leader with a strong variety. These comparison breeders benefit from the AAS trials by having their variety tested against new breeding. When the trial concludes both the entering and comparison breeders are given the trial results and feedback from the AAS Judges. This valuable information can be used by comparison breeders to improve their breeding or validate their existing superior breeding.
In addition, breeders see the value in the AAS Trials and the use of comparison varieties. They understand that their generosity in providing comparisons for today’s trials may be repaid in kind when they enter a variety in the AAS Trials next year!
