S.C. Code Regs. 27-1004. Tobacco Seed (Including Hybrids) Certification Standards

I. Application of General Certification Standards A. The General Certification Standards, Clemson University Regulation 27-190, are basic and applicable. B. The General Standards are modified as follows: Production of Seed (V). Handling of Crop Prior to Inspection 1. Plants of other varieties including off-type plants must be topped. 2. Plants affected with mosaic disease must be topped. 3. Plants affected with ring-spot disease must be topped as soon as found. Labeling (IX) Samples of all labels used on tobacco seed containers must be approved by and on file with the Seed Certification Department. II. Land Requirements A new plant bed must be used each year unless the bed is sterilized with a soil sterilant prior to seeding. III. Field Inspection A field inspection shall be made during the blooming period. IV. Field Standards A. General 1. Unit of certification A field or a portion of a field may be certified if the area to be certified is clearly defined. Precautions must be taken to prevent contamination from the portion not certified. 2. Isolation (a) Self-Pollinated Varieties Where two or more varieties of the same type are grown side by side in the same field, four (4) border rows of each variety, between the two varieties, shall be allowed to bloom and set seed, but shall not be harvested for seed. Otherwise there shall be 150 feet between varieties of the same type. Isolation between varieties of different types shall be at least 1,320 feet except when protected from cross pollination by bagging or when all plants in the neighboring field are topped before blooming. (b) Hybrids When producing hybrid tobacco seed of the same type when male fertile and male sterile varieties are grown side by side in the same field, four (4) border rows of the male sterile varieties adjacent to the male fertile varieties shall be allowed to bloom and set seed but shall not be harvested for seed except when the male fertile plants are to be used as the pollen parent on the adjacent male sterile plants. Otherwise, male sterile plants must be at least 150 feet from male fertile plants. Isolation between male sterile plants and male fertile plants of different types shall be at least 1320 feet, except when protected from cross pollination by bagging or when all plants in the neighboring fields are topped before blooming. B. Specific No seed bearing plants of off-types or other varieties or plants affected with mosaic and/or Ring-spot disease are permitted. V. Seed Standards