WINETECH Technical Yearbook 2019

• Maximum content other seed. • Maximum content weed seed. • Minimum germination percentage. • Recognised varietal name to be used with regard to the seed.

as determined by the Plant Improvement Act. Certification of seed adds value, consequently all aspects that ensure the quality of the seed are considered. Certification therefore gives peace of mind not only to the buyer, but also to the seed supplier who sells good quality seed. PLANT BREEDERS RIGHTS I f p l ant breede rs r i ght s have been allocated to a cultivar in terms of the Plant Breeders’ Rights Act (No 15 of 1976), a licence agreement with the breeder or owner should be in place before seed from the cultivar in question may be sold or propagated. Plant breeders’ rights enable the owner to obtain financial remuneration for his input to enable him to pursue further development work.

RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PURCHASE OF GRADE 1 GRAIN FOR PLANTING PURPOSES FROM UNREGISTERED SEED VENDORS: • Quality (germination and purity) of seed is unknown. • Seed may be infected with weed seeds which may remain dormant in the soil for a few years before suddenly emerging. • Varietal purity of the seed is not guaranteed. • Origin of the seed is unknown, because no l ot numbers are i nd i cated on unmarked Grade 1 grain (fodder grain). Producers who purchase seed for planting purposes are seriously cautioned to buy only seed that is clearly marked with a label showing the relevant cultivar information and only from registered seed vendors.

• Varietal purity of seed. WHAT IS CERTIFIED SEED?

SANSOR (South African National Seed Organisation) has been appointed as the authority to implement the Seed Certification Scheme. The objective of the Scheme is to make seed of the highest quality available and to guarantee the quality by means of a certificate, seal and label. A l t hough t he p r ima r y ob j ec t i ve o f certification is based on varietal purity, the physical requirements of seed is emphasised. These requirements are slightly stricter than the above-mentioned requirements

– For more information, contact Philip du Toit at phillipdt@daff.gov.za.