Minnesota Administrative Rules

1510.2325 REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFIED SEED POTATO PRODUCTION.

Subpart 1.

Requirements.

The standards in this part and part 1510.2330 must be met before potatoes may be classified as certified seed potatoes.

Subp. 2.

Field inspection and laboratory testing.

Certification must be based upon information regarding the following: stand, general vigor, varietal purity, disease tolerances, and factors affecting field inspection. At least two field inspections must be made of each field during the growing season. A final inspection must be made for bacterial ring rot, when symptom expression is optimal. If a final inspection cannot be carried out, because of management practices of the grower, or for reasons out of the grower's control, a laboratory test is necessary to maintain eligibility for certification. Additional inspections and laboratory tests may be made if necessary to meet phytosanitary requirements in established markets such as other states and Canadian provinces.

A.

Stand. A field shall be rejected if there are a large number of plants missing due to disease.

B.

General vigor. A field shall be rejected if it contains a large number of weak plants.

C.

Ring rot. If bacterial ring rot is found in any field or lot, the remaining crop is not eligible for certification planting.

D.

Varietal purity. A field must be rejected if it contains more than the tolerances acceptable for a specific class as listed in Tables 1 and 2 in part 1510.2330, subparts 11 and 12.

E.

Disease tolerances (percentage of infected plants). A field must be rejected if it contains percentages of diseased plants in excess of those acceptable for a specific class as listed in Tables 1 and 2 in part 1510.2330, subparts 11 and 12.

F.

Factors affecting field inspection. A field shall be rejected if any of the following are present to such an extent that satisfactory inspection for diseases cannot be made: early or late blight; blackleg or wilt of any kind; weeds; insect injury; chemical damage.

A field shall be rejected if any other conditions are present to such an extent that satisfactory inspection for diseases cannot be made. A field is ineligible for certification if there are cull piles in such close vicinity to the field that contamination of the field can be expected.

Subp. 3.

Roguing.

If any of the diseases listed in part 1510.2330 are present in a field in amounts less than the maximum disease tolerance level, the field must be rogued and the infected plants removed before the final inspection. If roguing is done after tubers form, the tubers from the rogued plants shall also be removed and destroyed.

Subp. 4.

Storage.

Lots shall not be stored in any warehouse where other potatoes are stored, nor shall they be stored under conditions of possible disease contamination. If more than one grower stores lots in the same warehouse, each grower's lots shall be properly identified by labeling the bin with the grower's name and address, variety, and amount in the bin. If the lots are to be stored in a public warehouse or storage unit not directly under the control of the grower, a complete record giving location of the storage unit, number of the bin, variety, and the quantity stored shall be sent to the commissioner when the lots are put into storage. If it is available, a copy of the warehouse receipt shall also be sent to the commissioner.

Equipment used for grading and handling lots shall not be used for any other potatoes. If any equipment is used on other potatoes, the lots shall be rejected.

Any firm handling lots on contract shall label all bins containing lots with the name of the grower whose lots are being stored. Responsibility for proper labeling and subsequent handling rests with the firm. No certification tags or bulk certificates shall be issued until this is done.

Each grower shall submit a completed storage and yield report on each lot on forms furnished by the commissioner. Certification tags shall not be issued to growers who have not submitted the report.

Subp. 5.

Tags and bulk certificates.

Official blue, yellow, or white tags, bearing the grower's name and address, the potato variety, and the crop year shall be issued when the potatoes meet the certification requirements described in parts 1510.2310 to 1510.2330. Tags shall be fastened onto sacks so as to constitute a seal at the time the lots are prepared for shipment. Bulk certificates must also show the date of issuance, the class, the grade, and the approximate weight of the load.

Tags shall be issued only to growers, except when lots are stored in a public warehouse or in a storage unit not under direct control of the grower. They shall be issued to the owner or manager of the storage unit upon receipt of written authorization from the grower.

Responsibility for ordering tags shall rest entirely with each grower.

Subp. 6.

Grading.

All lots shall be inspected at the loading point whenever possible. If inspection at the loading point is impossible, request for grading inspection in transit shall be made. Every bagged lot or shipment offered for sale and bearing official certification tags shall be in new even-weight sacks. Bulk shipments shall be identified with a bulk certificate. Both bagged and bulk lots or shipments must meet grade standards specified in part 1510.2355. Lots or shipments that fail to meet grade standards when inspected shall be reconditioned, or:

A.

if the lot or shipment is in sacks, the tags shall be removed under the supervision of a state or federal/state inspector before the lot or shipment is allowed to proceed to its destination; and

B.

if the shipment is in bulk, no bulk certificate shall be issued.

All costs of reconditioning to meet grade shall be borne by the shipper.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 21.113; 21.118

History:

11 SR 335; 17 SR 438; 21 SR 482; 24 SR 546

Published Electronically:

July 24, 2008