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Solan also follows a set of
industry guidelines that
focuses on maintaining a
clean operation.
“Our laboratories are
accredited by ViCSPA, audited
and inspected. We have state-
of-the-art equipment and our
technical knowledge is quite
high. In addition to the ViCSPA
compliance audits, we also have
neutral inspectors who come
through and inspect the crops
once a fortnight because we are
quite determined to maintain a
clean product,” Mr Morley said.
Under the ViCSPA
Accreditation Program,
Toolangi Elite has an external
independent auditor who
inspects the crops and performs
virus testing as well as visual
testing, in accordance with the
accreditation program.
“We have operating
procedures, a strong internal
QA program and we work with
leading specialists and experts in
both pathogen testing and tissue
culture,” Dr Crump said.
“The quality of the mini-
tubers here in Australia, as far
as health and certification goes,
is definitely up there with the
world’s best practice. It wouldn’t
matter if it’s Toolangi Elite, Solan
or Agronico – as far as health
standards go, we are up there
with the world’s best.”
ViCSPA, as the certification
authority, has developed an audit
induction process for tissue
culture material testing and
compliance. Dr Crump added
that ViCSPA also maintains a
public collection which includes
a range of older varieties, such
as Toolangi Delight.
“A few years ago, we had a
variety called Snowden which
was nearly removed from the
collection in Australia. The
industry changed direction
and now it’s one of the
varieties in the crisping industry.
If we didn’t maintain those
stocks, that variety wouldn’t
have been available in Australia
anymore. It actually gives our
industry genetic capability,”
Dr Crump said.
According to Dr Crump, mini-
tubers are the foundation of the
Australian Seed Certification
Scheme. All mini-tuber facilities
in Australia are accredited under
ViCSPA, which has been heavily
involved in the development
of Quality Assurance (QA)
procedures and performs all
audits for the eight laboratories.
This ensures all mini-tubers
produced from all the accredited
tissue culture labs meet the
conditions of certification and
are eligible to be multiplied
in the National Seed Potato
Certification system.
Agronico operates both its
tissue culture laboratory and the
glasshouse facility as a ViCSPA
accredited laboratory.
“It’s important to make sure
that we keep it well-isolated
from all of the potential
diseases, and keeping all of
the insect vectors out of the
system. As a part of this
process we are required to
have every crop visually
inspected and sampled for
potato viruses,” Mr McKay said.
For more information about mini-tuber production, please visit
or .
This communication has been funded by Horticulture Innovation
Australia Limited using the National Potato Levy and funds from the
Australian Government.
Project Number: PT15007
i
Plant Breeder’s Rights trial 2016. Image courtesy of Solan.
Many potato growers are surprised about the science and rigour that
is involved in mini-tuber production. Image courtesy of Agronico.
Mini-tuber production is a detailed and meticulous process that is the
backbone of the Australian potato industry. Image courtesy of Solan.
Mini-tuber production