Pre-Variety Germplasm Specific Standards

I. Application of General Standards

A.  The general standards are basic and together with the following specific standards, constitute the standards for certification of Pre-Variety Germplasm.

B.  The general standards are modified as follows:

1.  Eligibility Requirements

a.  Eligible species include indigenous or non-indigenous trees, shrubs (including vines) or herbaceous plants (forbs and grasses).

b.  These standards address seed, seedlings, or other propagating materials of species, selections, clones, intra specific hybrids, etc. (collectively referred to as germplasm types) which have not been released as a variety.   Germplasm types are recognized as follows:

1. Tested

Tested propagating materials shall be the progeny of plants whose parentage has been tested and has proven genetic superiority or possesses distinctive traits for which the heritability is stable, but for which a variety has not been named or released.  This seed must be produced so as to assure genetic purity and identity from either:

(a) Rigidly controlled and isolated natural stands or individual plants, or

(b) Seed fields or orchards.

2. Selected

Selected propagating materials shall be the progeny of phenotypically selected plants of untested parentage that have promise but not proof of genetic superiority or distinctive traits, produced so as to ensure genetic purity and identity from either:

(a) Rigidly defined natural stands or seed production areas, or

(b) Seed fields or orchards. This definition is equivalent to the OECD "Untested Seed Orchard" category and may be labeled as such by special tag if required.

3. Source Identified

Source Identified propagating materials are seed, seedlings, or other propagating materials where no selection or testing of the parent population has been made, produced as to ensure ensure genetic purity and identity from either:

a. Rigidly defined natural stands or seed production areas, or

b. Seed fields or orchards.

c. Methods used and monitoring of selection and testing or parent material to qualify for different germplasm types shall be determined by the Certification agency for each species or group of species.

2. Classes and Sources of Pre-Variety Germplasm

Classes (Breeder, Foundation, Registered, Certified) designate and define generations of a named and released variety. It is not permissible to use the same terms (Foundation, Registered, etc.) to designate generations of Tested, Selected or Source Identified germplasm types grown in seed fields or orchards.  Four generations shall be recognized:

a. Generation 0 - Seed from the original collection site and is equivalent to Breeder Seed of a released variety.

b. Generation 1 - The progeny of Generation 0 and is equivalent to Foundation seed of a released variety.

c. Generation 2 - The progeny of Generation 0 or Generation 1 and is equivalent to Registered seed of a released variety.

d. Generation 3 - The progeny of Generation 0, 1 or 2 and is equivalent to Certified seed of a released variety.

3. Limitations of Generations

a. The number of generations allowed for field planting of tested and selected germplasm shall not exceed two generations beyond Generation 1.

b. No limitation of generations is defined for all germplasm types collected from natural stands; such seed or other propagating materials are designated Generation 0 (G0).

c. Both sexual (seed) and asexual (cuttings, rhizomes, grafting, etc.) means of reproduction and establishment are addressed by the limitation of generations, with one asexual generation being equivalent to one sexual generation.

4. Labeling

The following label colors shall apply:

Tested - Blue
Selected - Green
Source Identified - Yellow

5. Sampling and Testing

For seed of species not covered by the rules for testing seed of the Association of Official Seed Analysts, the analyses and testing shall be in accordance with the rules of the International Seed Testing Association or appropriate state or federal laboratories.

II. Land Requirements

A. For natural stands of the Tested germplasm type, the exact geographic location of the parent plants and the stand history must be known.  Location (designated by section or comparable land survey unit) and elevation (nearest 500 ft.) of the site of seed production must be shown on the tag.

B. Location where Selected or Source-Identified seed was collected from natural stands shall be defined by means of administrative, geographic, latitudinal, or other appropriate boundaries or descriptions. State, county (or seed production area or geographic zone), and elevation (nearest 500 feet) is the minimum required to be shown on the tag.

C. For all germplasm types where seed or other propagating materials are produced in artificially established fields or orchards, the specific geographic origin of the parent material must be known and may be listed on the tag.  The location printed on the tag shall be the location (specific site or county or seed production area/zone) of the field or orchard.

III. Field Standards

A.  General:

1. Inspection

a.  For Tested seed collected from natural stands, at least one field inspection shall be made prior to pollination.  At this time compliance with regard to roguing and isolation as covered by the applicable standards will be checked.  For Tested and Selected seed, an inspection will be made just prior to seed maturity or during harvest.

b.  For Source-Identified seed collected from natural stands, verification of the collection site is required.  Compliance with regard to correct identification of species, location of natural stand and seed yield must be verified.

c.  All germplams types grown in seed fields or orchards shall follow established certification requirements and standards for similar crop varieties if applicable or those developed for a specific species.

d.  Producers of seedlings or otherwise propagated nursery or container stock shall be supervised sufficiently so to assure that the stock was produced from the germplasm type claimed.

2.  Unit of Certification

An individual plant, clone or stand of plants (or field or orchard) may be certified in producing Tested, Selected, or Source-Identified seed.   Seed production zones and/or breeding zones may be defined as a unit of certification for Selected and Source-Identified seed.

3. Isolation

a.  For Tested or Selected self-pollinated germplasm types, an isolation of 15 feet from other material of the same species, or a barrier that will prevent mechanical mixture is required.

b.  For Tested or Selected cross-pollinated germplasm types, an adequate isolation zone shall be maintained free of off-type plants and other cross-pollinating species, the isolation distance shall be set for each species.

c.  There shall be no isolation requirements for Source-Identifed seed.

B. Specific

1. For all germplasm types grown in a seed field or orchard, off-type plants (and plants of inseparable other species or hybridizing species) are to be defined and appropriate tolerance set by the certifying agency.

2. Design and methods of establishing seed field and orchards and the selecting and testing of plant material shall be in accordance with the requirements for each species or group of species.

IV.  Seed Standards

Seed standards are optional and may be set by the certifying agency.  However, state and federal laws regarding analysis labeling must be observed.