The New Zealand Seed Potato Certification Scheme was established in 1948 and has been running continuously since then. Like many schemes around the world, it was established to improve the quality of seed potatoes and to provide commercial growers assurance that seed lines meet a series of minimum standards for disease freedom and trueness to type. The scheme is administered by the New Zealand Seed Potato Certification Authority which is a sub-committee reporting to the Potatoes New Zealand (PNZ) Board. In 2021, PNZ embarked on a significant initiative to enhance the quality and traceability of certified seed. PNZ has successfully improved the seed industry’s efficiency, reliability, and quality. In this article, we delve into the important changes that have been made to improve the Seed Certification Scheme and the dedicated team behind it.
Certified seed is the cornerstone of the potato industry, providing the processed, fresh market, and export sectors with the highest quality planting material. It serves as the starting point for all potato production, making it a vital component of the industry’s success. PNZ’s Seed Certification Scheme plays a pivotal role in ensuring that this essential foundation meets rigorous quality standards.
Seed certification program: field and tuber inspections
The Seed Certification Program covers two main areas: field inspection and tuber inspection. These inspections are conducted meticulously to maintain the highest standards throughout the seed production process.
Field inspections are carried out annually from November to March and consist of two inspections per crop per season. Field inspectors focus on ensuring that the cultivar is true to type, checking for signs of disease, maintaining crop hygiene, and ensuring crop segregation.
Tuber inspections, on the other hand, take place from April to October and culminate in the issuance of certification labels, marking the completion of the certification process for each line of seed.
Source: potatoesnz.co.nz
