Postharvest testing program

1. All foundation and basic seed potato fields must be randomly sampled and tested if the grower intends to plant the same seed lot or sell to growers who intend to enter the lot for certification the following year. Only seed lots with three-tenths of one percent total serious virus or less during field inspections are eligible for postharvest testing. 2. The results must be based on visual inspection of the plants for virus or viruslike symptoms from the sample the grower submitted. However, laboratory testing may be used on varieties that have slight or latent symptoms. 3. Other factors such as vigor, other diseases, and any factor that might impair seed quality will be considered in the postharvest testing program. 4. Information concerning sample size and time to submit samples will be available from the state seed department. 5. Lots failing the postharvest test may be ineligible for planting in the certification program. 6. In the event of frost or other serious malfunctions of the postharvest grow-out test, eligibility of a seed lot will be based on the current field readings or a laboratory test at the discretion of the state seed department. 7. Seed lots showing excessive amounts of virus in the postharvest test may be disqualified for final certification. The level at which to disqualify the lot will be established by the seed commissioner.