Verification of Germplasm Origin and
Genetic Status by Seed Certification
Agencies
Stanford A. Young
that there is justification for a “fast track” alternative release procedure when:
(1) There are inadequate existing commercial sources
for a species.
(2) Propagation material of specific ecotypes are needed
for ecosystem restoration.
(3) There is high potential for immediate use.
(4) There is limited commercial potential beyond specific plant community sites.
The Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies
(AOSCA) is designated in the Federal Seed Act to certify
seed and other propagative materials as to cultivar identity, genetic purity, and high quality standards. Recently,
Pre-Variety Germplasm Standards (AOSCA, 1994) have
been published for certification of plant germplasms which
have not been developed to cultivar status, but for which
there is an immediate need in the reclamation effort.
The flow chart (Figure 1, AOSCA, 1994) with accompanying footnotes demonstrates the genetic status, seed certification nomenclature, and tag identification for a germplasm
accession as it is developed from a natural species population to either a genetically manipulated cultivar or a nongenetically manipulated “natural” variety.
Seed (or other propagative materials) may be marketed,
with proper tag identification, at any of the development
stages. “Source Identified Class” denotes germplasm for
which no comparisons with other germplasm accessions of
the same species have been made, but is verified as to geographic origin. “Selected Class” germplasm has been compared on a common site with other germplasm accessions
of the same species and shows promise of superior and/or
unique traits. “Tested Class” germplasm has been progeny
tested to ensure that superior and/or unique traits are heritable and stable, which makes it equivalent genetically to
a variety/cultivar. Projected market demand would determine whether it should be released as a tested germplasm
or as a named variety/cultivar.
This seed certification scheme is a practical way for seed
buyers to be assured of genetic identity and purity of plant
materials which are designated for a “fast track” alternative release procedure and collected from wildland sites
or produced in commercial seed fields.
Abstract—Federal, State, and private agencies engaged in acquisition, selection, and development of reclamation plant materials
have been uncertain as to the degree of development a given germplasm acquisition should undergo, or under what circumstances
or nomenclature it should be released to the public, given circumstances where it is needed for specific site restoration but otherwise has limited commercial potential.
The Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA)
has recently published standards which address this problem.
These standards outline certification for germplasm of plant materials which have not been developed to variety/cultivar status,
but for which there is an immediate need in the reclamation effort. A flow chart with footnotes is presented which summarizes
these standards.
Successful reclamation of disturbed sites requires an
adequate supply of appropriate plant materials. These
may include cultivars of domestic or exotic origin, or may
be limited to local native ecotypes.
The traditional approach of plant breeding has been to
develop widely adapted cultivars processing outstanding
and/or unique characteristics. Such cultivars take many
years to test and release, and the projected market demand
must compensate for the development costs. Reclamation
industry clients now indicate an increasing need for local
ecotypes where superior characteristics are secondary to
the desire to maintain natural ecosystem integrity. Verification of genetic origin and purity of these germplasms
is just as important as it is for traditional cultivars.
Federal, State, and private agencies engaged in acquisition, selection, and development of plant materials for restoration or revegetation have thus been uncertain as to
the degree of development a given germplasm acquisition
should undergo, or under what circumstances or nomenclature it should be released to the public. They agree
In: Roundy, Bruce A.; McArthur, E. Durant; Haley, Jennifer S.; Mann,
David K., comps. 1995. Proceedings: wildland shrub and arid land restoration symposium; 1993 October 19-21; Las Vegas, NV. Gen. Tech. Rep.
INT-GTR-315. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service,
Intermountain Research Station.
Stanford A. Young is Professor of Plant Science, Seed Certification Specialist, and Secretary-Manager of the Utah Crop Improvement Association
at Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-4855.
Reference
Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies, 1994.
Certification Handbook, p. 1-10 to 1-12, and p. 2-66 to
2-70.
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Figure 1—Seed certification tags and nomenclature for plant germplasm types developed by the
Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA, 1994). Numbered explanations are on
the facing page.
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Numbered Explanations for Figure 1
1. This involves “purposeful selection,” such as recurrent selection, crosses within or between species, mutation inducement, biotechnology
methods, etc.
2. Protocols should be established to minimize involuntary “non-purposeful” selection. If desired, the “Natural” designation may be printed on
Source Identified, Selected, or Tested class or variety/cultivar Foundation, Registered, or Certified tags to indicate the “natural” non-manipulated
genetic integrity of the germplasm collection, accession, or ecotype.
3. May be native or naturalized germplasm; wild collected or orchard produced. The Source Identified tag lists geographic location (minimum
of elevation and county) of seed collection or production. Comparisons with other germplasm collections, accessions, or ecotypes of the same
species not known.
4. Shows promise of superior and/or identifiable traits as contrasted with other germplasm accessions, breeding lines, or variety/cultivars of
the species. Selection criteria and supporting comparative data is required. Seed of breeding lines at this stage would be rarely tagged; tagging
and marketing wild collected or orchard produced seed of Selected class “Natural” germplasm may be commonly applicable in the reclamation
seed industry.
5. Requires progeny testing to prove that traits of interest are heritable in succeeding generations. Testing procedures (number of sites,
generations required, etc.) are as outlined for each species by individual seed certification agencies (AOSCA guidelines are being developed).
Tagging of Tested class advanced generation breeding lines may be accommodated, but is normally pre-empted by cultivar release or discarding of the line. Tested class “Natural” wild collected or orchard produced germplasm may be tagged (as is customary for individual forest
trees). Named variety release should be considered if the germplasm has been tested in several locations and appears to have wide adaptation
and usage demand.
6. Naming and recognition of a cultivar/variety must comply with Federal and State seed law definitions. Source Identified, Selected and
Tested class germplasm may have a number or place designation associated with the species/kind listing on the tag (i.e., “ARS 2936 source”
scarlet globemallow or “Maybelle origin” antelope bitterbrush), but it is not to be construed as a variety name in commerce.
7. Designation of generations through which germplasms may be multiplied. B = Breeder, F = Foundation, R = Registered, C = Certified.
Source Identified, Selected and Tested Classes should use Generation 1 (G1) as equivalent to Foundation, and Generation 3 (G3) as equivalent to Certified. Number of generations allowed for seed production and length of stand for perennial plants varies by species.
8. When germplasm at any stage can be shown to have been significantly altered from the original collection or accession, it loses its nonmanipulated “Natural” status and is routed to the bulk population (manipulated germplasm) track.
9. Tags are issued by individual seed certification agencies and clearly state the class of seed in block letters across the top of the tag.
Tags also normally display agency insignia or logo along with other information that identifies and/or describes the variety or germplasm.
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