ARS | Publication request: QUALITY SEED: SEED IMPROVEMENT, CULTIVAR AND HEALTHY SEED LOT SELECTION, AND THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS

Submitted to: Potato Health Mangement 2nd Edition APS Series
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: July 5, 2005
Publication Date: November 1, 2007
Repository URL: http://riley.nal.usda.gov/nal_web/digi/submission.html
Citation: Whitworth, J.L., Davidson, R. 2007. Quality seed: seed improvement, cultivar and healthy seed lot selection, and the certification process. Potato Health Mangement 2nd Edition APS Series. 2nd ed. Minnesota: APS Press; 2008. p 31-42.

Interpretive Summary: “Quality Seed: Seed Improvement, Cultivar and Healthy Seed Lot Selection, and the Certification Process” is a chapter in Potato Health Management, 2nd edition, an APS series manual that provides information useful to growers, extension personnel, agribusiness professionals, and others in the potato industry. The chapter provides information on; cultivar selection, disease resistant cultivars, cultural requirements, seed condition, history of seed potato certification, limited generation programs, the certification system, field inspections, harvest and storage, post harvest testing, sales, tagging, shipping point inspections, and the limitations of the certification process. It lists what to look for in seed fields, storages, and equipment, and includes a checklist for obtaining healthy, productive seed lots.

Technical Abstract: This chapter on seed certification and selecting healthy seed lots is included in Potato Health Management, 2nd edition, an APS series manual. It includes outlines of the certification process including inspections, testing and tagging seed. Certified seed class terminology is explained. It also lists the uses, disease resistance, and strengths and weaknesses of the leading 15 cultivars grown in the U.S. and Canada in 2004. Requirements of a seed farm for producing high quality seed are listed for the field, equipment and storages used.