Seed quality characteristics

Essential seed quality characteristics are:
  • Purity of the variety
    The seed should be of the variety as which it is sold
    POTATO VARIETIES
  • Physiological stage
    At planting time the seed should be in such a physiological stage that emergence takes place quickly. The period between planting and emergence is a delicate stage and should be kept as short as possible.
    PHYSIOLOGICAL STAGE
  • Seed size
    The seed should be of the size specified.
    SEED SIZE (RATE)
  • Virus diseases
    The seed should have no higher percentage virus infested tubers than is justified for the purpose for which the seed is to be used: e.g. the production of table potatoes or seed.
    VIRUS DISEASES
  • Quarantine diseases
    The seed should be free of dangerous quarantine diseases, such as brown rot (Ralstonia (Pseudomonas) solanacearum) and ring rot (Corynebacterium).
  • Diseases spread easily during the season when infected seed is planted
    The seed should not be infected with diseases that spread easily during the growing season and which may destroy the crop (e.g. Phytophthora infestance)
  • Diseases which negatively affect the quality of the potatoes when infected seed is planted
    Common scab, Rhizoctonia. Seed programs aim at the production of quality seed and at reducing the risks of spreading soil-borne and seed-borne diseases which negatively affect potato quality.