Certified Seed Regulations 

The State of Maine Foundation Seed Potatoes database, as determined by the summer field inspection program, is now on-line. 

Field Inspection Requirement

Fields entered for Certification shall receive at least two field inspections spaced approximately one month apart. A third, and additional inspection for Bacterial Ring Rot will be made after the second inspection and before the completion of harvest.

Field Inspection Tolerances

Maximum tolerances during field inspection are as follows:

Any field which according to the Maine Department of Agriculture's sampling methods exceeds the maximum field inspection tolerances will be rejected from Maine's Seed Potato Certification Program.

Post Harvest Test Requirement

All varieties will be required to be tested to meet final certification. All plots of all varieties producing seed to be planted for certification next year MUST be tested, except for seed plots of 1 acre or less to be used for "grower's own" seed. If not tested such seed and its progeny cannot be sold as seed.

1. Certified Seed Class - Each post-harvest test sample of 400 tubers may represent no more than 40 acres. Only lots showing 5% or less total virus (Mosaics and Leafroll) will be designated as Certified Class seed potatoes.

2. Foundation Seed Class - Each post-harvest test sample of 400 tubers may represent no more than 15 acres. Only lots showing 1/2% or less total virus (Mosaic and Leafroll) will be designated as Foundation Class seed potatoes.

3. Nuclear - All nuclear seed lots, except nuclear 1* must be post-harvest tested. Post-harvest test samples of 400 tubers may represent no more than eight acres for Nuclear 2 and no more than fifteen acres for Nuclear 3 and 4. Only lots showing 1/2% or less total virus (Mosaic and Leafroll) will qualify for the Nuclear designation. *(Nuclear Seed 1 may be tested upon request of the producing grower. N1 seed lots shall consist of 4 tubers per 100 plants for each variety produced up to a total of 400 tubers per sample. Post-harvest test samples of 400 tubers may represent no more than three acres.)

Shipping Point Inspection

In order to receive State of Maine seed potato tags or bulk shipping certificates, Maine Certified and Foundation seed potatoes are required to be inspected by an authorized Maine Seed Potato Specialist at the time of packing and must meet the requirements of the Maine Seed Potato Grade. Maine's seed potato grade is among the strictest in the country, even surpassing grade requirements established by the federal government. Seed potatoes which fail to meet the requirements of the Maine Seed Potato Grade will not be considered certified and will not be issued seed potato tags or bulk shipping certificates.

For further information click on either of the following:

Generation Designations

Maine Seed Potato Program