Seed Potatoes

The quality of seed potatoes is an important factor in determining the yield and health of the harvested crop. Developed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the UNECE Standard for Seed Potatoes sets common terminology and minimum commercial quality requirements for the certification of high-quality seed intended for marketing internationally. It is a unique international frame of reference, covering all aspects related to seed-potato certification: (a) varietal identity and purity; (b) genealogy and traceability; (c) diseases and pests; (d) external quality; (e) sizing of tubers; and (f) labelling. 

Seed Potato Poster .pdf

Information leaflet on the Seed Potato Standard EnglishFrench Russian

Publications

Position papers of the Specialized Section on Standardization of Seed Potatoes

Other resources

• The Potato Diseases, Pests and Defects Guide online App
• Food Loss and Waste: The case of Seed Potato certification and the UNECE Seed Potato Certification Standard
• Trilingual list of diseases, pests and defects (click for high-resolution pictures)
• List of varieties

Useful links and presentations

• Erwinia
• PCN

List of National Certification Schemes/Certifying Authorities

• List of national certification schemes for seed potatoes
• Seed Potato Certifying Authorities

Seed Potatoes

• Virus testing background
• SPVirus Testing Methods