IOutline of Steps in Montana's Seed Potato Certification Program
The potato seed program in Montana is one of limited generations. Hills, clones and clone increase are all steps in the development of the seed stocks (see above). All Nuclear stock must be pretested for diseases in the laboratory. Generation 1 is the progeny of Nuclear stock. Generation 2 is the progeny of Generation 1, and so on. Generation 4 is not eligible for recertification. Nuclear, G1 and G2 must ELISA test within tolerances for PVX (Table 1) and PVY (Table 2). Each generation must pass field inspections (Table 4).
Line selection (LS) is a common practice among Montana seed growers. It is done by planting selected clones in the field and comparing their yields and performances. The best line is then used as a source for Nuclear or Meristem.
Copies of the Rules and Regulations can be obtained by writing:
Dr. Nina Zidack, Director, Seed Potato Certification
PO Box 172060
MSU-Bozeman, Bozeman, MT 59717-2060
Phone: (406) 994-3150
FAX: (406) 994-6042
Email: potatocert@montana.edu
