Seed potato certification ensures potato growers have access to varietal pure, disease-free, high-quality potatoes to produce high-yielding, healthy crops. Certified seed agencies in the U.S. have performed a combination of post-harvest visual field inspections and laboratory enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) or Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays on leaf tissue (field or greenhouse collected) to determine seed lot certification. These robust tests have successfully detected seed lots with elevated PVY levels for years but present limitations that may restrict quick movement of seed lots. Direct tuber testing (DTT), a technique used to test tuber tissue for pathogens of interest is being examined as a diagnostic tool in conjunction with or as an alternative to current certification diagnostic tools. DTT offers the advantage of faster turnaround and direct tuber assessment. Considerations focused on DTT validation, implementation timeline and challenges, regulatory acceptance, and research advancement will be discussed by certification agencies exploring DTT.
Moderator: Nina Zidack, Ph.D., Former Director, Montana Seed Potato Certification, Montana State University
Panelists: Andrew Houser, Ph.D., Manager, Colorado Potato Certification Service, Colorado State University
Brooke Babler, Associate Research Program Director, WSPCP, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Jason Kimm, MPIA Board member and Owner/Operator, Kimm Seed Potatoes