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is it for storage? A visit to the
seed grower’s farm during the
growing season to see the crop
first-hand can be useful.
The supply, storage and
transport of seed needs to
be considered. Good seed
handled poorly will not
produce high yields. Poorly
handled seed that has bruising
and/or mechanical damage will
have increased physiological
age and be vulnerable to rots
and breakdown.
A good storage program
can maintain the initial seed
quality, so if bad quality enters
the store then there should
not be the expectation that the
quality will improve in the store.
Always ensure certified seed is
inspected on arrival and that
any seed in bulk bags is gently
decanted into bins for
improved ventilation.
The certification system is only
as good as the support given
by the commercial sector of
the industry and we always
welcome feedback as to how
the Seed Potato Scheme can
better meet end-users’ needs.
C
ertified potato seed has
some known certainty
about the quality of the seed.
Independent crop and tuber
inspections, conducted by a
seed certification authority,
ensures that the Seed Potato
Scheme tolerances are met and
the variety is true-to-type with
no variety mixes observed at the
time of inspection.
Importantly, supporting
laboratory testing has been
done to mitigate any potential
biosecurity threats such as
Potato cyst nematode (PCN)
and Potato spindle tuber viroid
(PSTVd). While some may
claim to have uncertified seed
which is “as good as certified”,
there is no such thing. With
yield and quality delimiting
diseases such as Potato virus Y
(PVY) and other issues, it is not
worth the risk.
The cost of certification to
the seed producer is estimated
at $25 per tonne (based on
ViCSPA fees), making the
Seed Potato Scheme an
affordable option for the
cultural management of many
seed borne diseases and
quality issues.
There is a lot more sitting
behind the certification system.
A state of the art database is
tracking all seed plots (varieties
and generations) and collates
all the records and data to issue
and track all certification labels.
In making a decision on a seed
purchase, ask for a copy of the
certification information from
your seed grower.
Seed potato certification
authorities are adopters of
modern plant health diagnostic
laboratory tests to support the
visual assessment of seed crops
for certification, when required.
Over the past five years, ViCSPA
has required a leaf test for
PVY. This has contributed
to an improvement of PVY
management, with the 2015/16
season having an extremely
low rejection rate for all viruses,
including PVY.
Certification requires five years
between potato crops for early
generation seed crops and
three years for later generation
(4-5) seed crops to minimise
the build-up of soil borne
diseases. Longer rotations are
always desirable.
The seed certification authorities
employ professional
certification officers who
provide independent
assessment of all seed lots.
The officers are highly skilled
in the identification of disease
symptoms and variety mixes.
It is advisable to directly
communicate with your seed
grower/supplier to ensure
the seed you are purchasing
meets your expectations and
needs. This applies both to the
seed and the related business
transactions for the purchase
of the seed.
Developing a relationship
between the seed grower and
end-user provides all parties
with a clear understanding of
the intention of the seed. The
fitness for purpose can then
be agreed. For example, is
the seed for direct planting or
24
BEFORE PURCHASING SEED POTATOES FOR COMMERCIAL
POTATO PRODUCTION, THERE ARE A FEW THINGS TO CONSIDER.
AS SEED IS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT 20-30 PER CENT OF THE
PRODUCTION COSTS OF GROWING A POTATO CROP, IT IS
VALUABLE TO INVEST IN A GOOD SEED SUPPLY TO ENSURE YIELD
AND QUALITY TARGETS CAN BE ACHIEVED. ViCSPA MANAGER
AND AUSTRALIAN SEED POTATO COUNCIL SECRETARY DR NIGEL
CRUMP EXPLAINS.
Understanding the benefits of
certified seed potatoes
For more information,
please contact Dr Nigel
Crump on 03 5962 0000
or email nigel.crump@
vicspa.org.au.
This communication
has been funded by
Horticulture Innovation
Australia Limited using the
National Potato Levy and
funds from the Australian
Government.
Project Number: PT15007
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