Section 9.  Field Inspections, Cellar Visits, Post-harvest tests, Forms and Seed Directory 

                   

A.      Field Inspections

 

1.             The field inspection of each lot will be based on the visual inspection of the sample selected.

 

2.       At least two (2) field inspections shall be made during  one growing season.  Field conditions permitting, a third inspection will be performed.  Montana State University  may make as many field inspections as necessary to fulfill the requirements of the certification program.

 

3.       Inspections shall be performed by walking through the field in a prescribed manner and visually examining the growing plants.  Each field shall be observed for abnormal and/or unusual cultural conditions.  Inspections will not be made of each individual plant, but only a representative sample of the field.

 

4.       Disease percentages shall be derived from actual plant count in the field.  The inspector shall begin counts upon entering the field and shall proceed in a manner he/she deems reasonable and appropriate for adequate inspection of the field.  During all inspections, a random sample, which shall be equivalent to at least 100 plants per acre, shall be counted, but not every acre is necessarily inspected.  Overt symptoms of potato disease will be recorded by the MSU inspector on the inspection form.  A percentage of the overt symptoms for each disease will be derived from the plant count.  This disease percentage will be published by MSU in the annual seed directory.

 

5.       All disease diagnosis shall consist of visual examination of the plants and/or plant parts in question.  In case of detection of Bacterial Ring Rot caused by Clavibacter (equals Corynebacterium sepedonicum), visual diagnosis shall be confirmed by the Gram stain and serological test.  All tests will be done at the expense of the seed grower.

 

6.       The inspector may refuse to inspect a field for any of the following reasons:

 

a.      recent application of dangerous agricultural chemicals which may present a health hazard to the inspector;

 

b.      extensive storm or frost damage or other environ­mental conditions  which do not permit satis­factory inspection of the field;

c.       extensive chemical damage that seriously injures or impairs the growth of the plants or causes conditions that precludes or unreasonably limits a proper inspection of the field.

 

d.      Any other condition which, in light of the circumstances, precludes or unreasonably limits inspection.

 

B.      Post-harvest Grow-out Test and Cellar Visits

 

1.      For the post-harvest grow-out test, growers will take samples at the time of harvest. The sample size should be 400 tuber per sample.  Number of samples per field for G2, G3, and G4 are as follows:

 

                   40 acres or less                           one sample

                   41 – 80 acres                               two samples

                   81 – 120 acres                             three samples

                 120 acres or more                         four samples

                  

 

2.       Cellar visits will be performed only at the grower’s request.  The purpose of the visit is to assist the growers in evaluating the appropriateness of the potato storage.

 

C.      Inspection Forms, Records and Seed Directory

 

1.       Inspection data shall be recorded on an official inspection form(s).  The form shall be signed by both the inspector and the grower or his/her designated agent and properly dated.  The original shall be presented to the grower and a copy retained by the inspector for the Montana State University records.

 

2.       All MSU seed potato certification and laboratory records, application forms, inspection reports, testing reports, and other documents shall be kept for seven years.

 

3.       MSU shall publish a Montana certified seed potato directory for each crop year.  The seed directory shall include:

 

a.      the full name of the Montana certified seed grower as it appears on the seed registration records.  However, any grower may request to have his mailing address and telephone number excluded from publication in the seed directory;

b.      the seed class;

c.       the number of acres certified;

d.      the PVX designation;

e.      the PVY designation;

f.        all field-inspection readings;

g.      such other information collected in the performance of the certification program as determined by the MSU potato specialist, in consultation with the Montana Potato Advisory Board.