Why should seed potatoes be certified?
Potatoes are propagated by using tubes rather than true seeds in commercial production. Because potato tubes carry a wide range of pathogens especially viruses, the use of non-certified tubes poses a significant risk of destructive epidemics of diseases in fields. Those pathogens carried by tubes are called seed-borne pathogens. To prevent spreading of the diseases through commercial tubes, potato tubes used for sowing should be certified to meet disease tolerance levels. Each state has its own seed potato standard, however, there is only a little difference among states. Seed lots that have passed certification should be quite safe to be used in planting during the coming season. How does certification work? Seed potato certification is a voluntary program in which commercial growers choose to participate. Once growers submit an application, Inspectors from Nevada Department of Agriculture will inspect each field entered for certification for diseases including viruses, bacteria and n
