Section 115.272. Field, greenhouse or laboratory conditions

(a) Field conditions. The previous crop shall be other than potatoes. Potatoes showing a stand of less than 80% may be refused certification. When fields are rogued, the diseased plants and tubers shall be removed from the field.

(b) Greenhouse conditions. The following requirements shall be met prior to the introduction of Prenuclear seed potatoes to a greenhouse, and, if applicable, at all times that Prenuclear potatoes are present in the greenhouse:

(1) The greenhouse shall be cleaned and thoroughly disinfected.

(2) The interior of the greenhouse shall be treated to kill insects.

(3) Weeds shall be killed and removed from the interior of the greenhouse.

(4) Benches, floors, pots and tools shall be sanitized.

(5) The growth medium shall be sterilized.

(6) A foot dip tray shall be situated for use at each entrance. The use of the foot dip tray shall be required of all persons entering the greenhouse.

(7) An adequate amount of protective outerwear shall be in place at each entrance, and use of the protective outerwear shall be required of persons entering the greenhouse.

(8) Inspection, sampling and testing of potato plants and potato plant materials shall be conducted prior to the introduction of the plants or plant materials into the greenhouse. The plants and plant materials shall be free of Erwinia caratovora pv. caratovora, Erwinia caratovora pv. atroseptica, Clavibacter michiganense subsp. sepedonicum (synonym: Corynebacterium sepedonicum), potato spindle tuber viroid, potato leafroll virus and potato viruses A, M, S, X and Y.

(9) Access to the greenhouse shall be limited to trained personnel and escorted visitors.

(10) Smoking is not allowed within the greenhouse.

(11) Benches and containers shall be labeled or tagged with variety and seed lot information.

(12) Prior to entering the greenhouse, and between work with different seed lots within the greenhouse, persons shall wash, disinfect and rinse their hands.

(13) The greenhouse shall be free of holes, cracks or other portals of entry for insects and debris.

(14) A dead-air space shall exist between the outdoors and any entrance to the greenhouse.

(c) Laboratory conditions. In propagating Prenuclear seed potatoes, a laboratory shall use standard aseptic microbiological techniques at all stages of plant growth in tissue culture. The following additional requirements shall be met by the laboratory:

(1) Plant material in the certification program shall be physically and procedurally isolated from plant materials of unknown disease status.

(2) Media which allow the growth of microorganisms shall be used routinely in the propagation of plant material.

(3) Containers of plant material shall be labeled to identify variety and lot.

The provisions of this § 115.272 amended through February 29, 1980, effective March 1, 1980, 10 Pa.B. 911; amended April 6, 1990, effective April 7, 1990, 20 Pa.B. 1878; amended April 2, 1993, effective April 3, 1993, 23 Pa.B. 1558. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (147365).

Notation

Authority

The provisions of this § 115.272 amended under The Pennsylvania Seed Act of 1965 (3 P. S. § § 285-1—285-11); and the act of April 11, 1929 (P. L. 488, No. 205) (3 P. S. § § 291—297).

Cross References

This section cited in 7 Pa. Code § 115.285 (relating to inspection and testing of Prenuclear seed potatoes).