WAC 16-302-040   Varieties eligible for seed certification in Washington state.  (1) Only seed varieties that are accepted as meriting seed certification by an appropriate AOSCA National Variety Review Board or a member agency of AOSCA in accordance with the criteria listed in subsection (3) of this section may be eligible for seed certification in Washington state.

     (2) A current list of varieties eligible for certification for the crops certified by the seed program may be obtained by contacting WSDA Seed Program, 21 N. 1st Avenue, Yakima, WA 98902, 509-249-6950. A current list of varieties eligible for certification for the crops certified by WSCIA may be obtained by contacting WSCIA, 1610 N.E. Eastgate Blvd. Suite 610, Pullman, WA 99163, 509-335-8250.

     (3) The following information is required for submission to an AOSCA National Variety Review Board or other certifying agency for acceptance of a seed variety for certification:

     (a) A statement and supporting evidence by the originator, developer, or owner requesting certification that:

     (i) The variety has been adequately tested to determine its value and probable area of adaptation, and that it merits certification; and

     (ii) The variety is distinguishable from other varieties as set forth in Article 5, International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants, which reads as follows: "The term cultivar (variety) denotes an assemblage of cultivated individuals which are distinguished by any characters (morphological, physiological, cytological, chemical or others) significant for the purposes of agriculture, forestry, or horticulture, and which, when reproduced (sexually or asexually) retain their distinguishing features."

     (b) A statement on origin and breeding procedure.

     (c) A description of:

     (i) The morphological characteristics, (such as color, height, uniformity, leaf, head or flower characteristics, etc.);

     (ii) Physiological characteristics;

     (iii) Disease and insect reactions; and

     (iv) Any other identifying characteristics of value to field inspectors and other pertinent factors as the breeder or sponsor considers relevant.

     (d) Evidence of performance, including data on yield, insect or disease resistance and other factors supporting the value of the variety. Performance tests may be conducted by private seed firms or agricultural experiment stations, and must include appropriate check varieties, which are used extensively in the area of intended usage.

     (e) A statement giving the suggested region of probable adaptation and purposes for which the variety is used. This includes where the breeder of the variety has tested the variety and anticipates recommending the merchandising of it.

     (f) A description of the procedure for maintenance of stock seed classes. At the time a variety is accepted for certification, a sample lot of breeder seed is presented to the certifying agency. The sample is retained as a control varietal sample against which all future seed stock released for certified seed production may be tested to establish continued trueness of variety.



[Statutory Authority: Chapters 15.49 and 34.05 RCW. 10-02-113, § 16-302-040, filed 1/6/10, effective 2/6/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 15.49.005, 15.49.081, 15.49.310, 15.49.370(3) and chapter 17.24 RCW. 00-24-077, § 16-302-040, filed 12/4/00, effective 1/4/01.]