Seed Certification Standards in California

HYBRID RAPE

Brassica napus and Brassica rapa

GENERAL STANDARDS -- The standards on this sheet are in part condensed and apply to rape. For greater detail and additional provisions, see the General Standards.

DEFINITION OF TERMS -- The terms used below apply to the cytoplasmic male sterility method of hybrid production.  Breeder Seed - as applied to hybrid varieties, is seed of male- sterile, maintainer, and restorer lines maintained by the breeder. Foundation Seed - as applied to hybrid varieties, is seed of male-sterile, maintainer, and restorer lines produced from Breeder or Foundation seed. Commercial Hybrid Seed (Certified class) - is seed that is planted for any use except seed production, and is the first generation of seed of a cross produced by controlling the pollination and by combining two (2) or more lines, varieties, or species.

PLANTING STOCK -- Breeder or Foundation seed must be planted to produce Foundation seed. Foundation seed, as applied to hybrid varieties, is seed of male-sterile, maintainer, and restorer lines. Breeder or Foundation seed must be planted to produce the Certified class of a commercial hybrid.

APPLICATION -- Applications should be submitted electronically on CCIA’s website (http://ccia.ucdavis.edu) no later than three (3) weeks after planting.  New applicants should contact the CCIA office for instructions.

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FIELD ELIGIBILITY -- The land must not have grown mustard, oilseed radish, or another variety of Brassica napus or B. rapa for the preceding five (5) years for fields producing Foundation seed.  To produce the Certified class of seed, fields must not have grown mustard, oilseed radish, or another variety of Brassica napus or B. rapa for three (3) years, [five (5) years if OECD certification is anticipated]. 

ISOLATION -- For Foundation and Certified classes, B. napus and B. rapa must be isolated from; different varieties of either species and Brown or Oriental Mustard by at least 2640’.  All fields must be separated from fields of White/Yellow Mustard or Oilseed Radish by at least 10’.  A separation of at least 10’ is necessary between fields producing the same variety of either class of rape. 

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FIELD INSPECTION -- Each field intended for certification must be inspected prior to harvest.  For both the Foundation and Certified class of production, three (3) inspections shall be made.  The first should be prior to bloom, the second in the early-bloom stage, and the third in the late-bloom stage.

Off-types -- Every field should be rogued to remove any plants of another crop or variety. Varieties cannot always be differentiated at field inspection. When differences can be distinguished, the maximum mixture of other varieties, distinct off-types, and inseparable other crops permitted is as follows:

Foundation	Certified
1:20,000	1:10,000

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Weeds -- Fields must be free of any prohibited noxious weeds. Restricted noxious weeds, and common weeds difficult to separate must be controlled.

Fields may be refused certification due to unsatisfactory appearance caused by weeds, poor growth, poor stand, disease, insect damage, and any other condition which prevents accurate inspection or creates doubt as to identity of the variety.

A Field Inspection Report will be available to the applicant online.  If the field is approved, a certification number will be assigned. This number must be on all containers of seed before they leave the field. It is the responsibility of the applicant to make sure his field has been inspected before it is harvested.

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HARVESTING -- Harvesting is subject to the supervision of the local County Agricultural Commissioner who must be contacted prior to harvest. Any seed moved out of the county must be accompanied by an Inter-County Permit or Interstate Transfer issued by the Commissioner.

CONDITIONING AND SAMPLING -- Conditioning of seed for certification may be done only in facilities approved for this purpose by the California Crop Improvement Association. It is the responsibility of the applicant to determine if the facility is eligible before delivering seed for conditioning. Conditioning, sampling, reconditioning, and blending must be supervised by the County Agricultural Commissioner. Conditioning equipment must be free from contaminating seed to the satisfaction of the supervising inspector.

SEED INSPECTION - All seed must be sampled and tested after conditioning and the seed lot must meet or exceed seed certification standards for that crop. A seed lab using the Association of Official Seed Analyst “Rules for Testing” must test the sample. A Registered Seed Technologist must sign each lab analysis. In addition to AOSA rules, specific seed testing may be required to meet CCIA seed certification standards.

The sample size for a lot of certified rape in hybrid production is one hundred (100) grams. In some instances, varietal identity cannot be determined by visual seed inspections. Seed must be well screened and graded, bright in color, of good appearance and meet the following standards:

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FINAL CERTIFICATION AND TAGGING -- If the seed sample meets all standards a Seed Inspection Report is issued. Before certification is complete, however, each container must have an official tag or label attached. Certified seed may be sold to a grower in bulk without tagging if a properly filled out Bulk Sale Certificate accompanies the shipment. The tags and Bulk Sale Certificates are issued by the California Crop Improvement Association.

Hybrid Rape Feb 2008

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