Field Standards for Certification
- Unit of Certification: Minimum certified area must be one (1) hectare in a compact area.
- Isolation Requirements:
- Time isolation: 18 to 20 days gap in flowering before and after any other corn planting.
- Distance isolation: At least 300 meters without natural barriers; 200 meters allowed with natural barriers taller than corn (e.g., sugarcane, banana).
- Field Tolerances for Contaminants (per 100 sq.m.):
- Other varieties and off-types: From 0 (Breeder) to 8 (Certified).
- Other crops: 0 to 5.
- Objectionable weeds (e.g., Amaranthus spp., Ipomea triloba): 0 to 3.
- Plant Density and Off-types: Max 40,000 plants/ha; maximum 200 off-types per hectare allowed.
- Off-types identified based on plant height (±30 cm), maturity (±7 days), and leaf angle.
- Removal required for volunteer plants, pest-infected, infested, and barren plants.
- Replanting missing hills is prohibited in OPV seed production.
Seed Lot Identification
- Homogenous seed lots derived from field lots are designated as Field Lot A-1, A-2, B-1, B-2, etc.
- Seed lot numbers increment sequentially (1, 2, 3...)
Seed Sampling Protocol
- Sampling conducted primarily by Deputized Seed Inspectors; Certifying Agency may sample when necessary.
- Samples taken randomly from seed lots.
- Sampling intensity varies by number of bags, e.g., all bags sampled if 1-10 bags; scaled number for larger lots up to 26 bags for 91-100 bags.
- Maximum number of bags per seed lot stipulated by seed class and weight:
- Breeder: 10 bags (10 kg each)
- Foundation: 50 bags (20 kg each)
- Registered: 100 bags (20 kg each)
Seed Testing Procedures
- At least 1 kg sample submitted for certification.
- Seed testing to be completed within 72 hours after sample receipt.
- Test results must be released within 15 working days if seed quality issues do not arise.
Seed Quality Standards and Tolerances
- Minimum pure seed content: 98-99%, depending on seed class.
- Maximum inert matter allowed: 1-2%.
- No tolerance for other crop or weed seeds.
- Maximum allowable other variety seeds per kilogram: 0 to 10, depending on seed class.
- Minimum germination rate: 85% for all classes.
- Maximum moisture content: 14%.
Tagging of Certified Seed Lots
- Only Deputized Seed Inspectors are authorized to tag seed lots that have passed certification.
Effectivity
- The guidelines take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the official gazette or a widely circulated newspaper.