AFDC 30 (1916 ) DTZS  
 
      DRAFT TANZANIA STANDARD  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sesame ( Sesamum indicum L.)  seed — Requirements for certification  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                    TANZANIA BUREAU OF STANDARDS  
 
 AFDC 30 (1916 ) DTZS  
 
 Sesame ( Sesamum indicum L.)  seed — Requirements for certification  
 
1. Scope  
This Tanzania  standard specifies the certification requirements for pre basic, basic, and certified seed of 
sesame . (Sesamum indicum L.)   
2. Normative references  
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content 
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For 
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document s (including any amendments) applies.  
Interna tional Rules for Seed Testing Published by the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA)  
OECD Seed Schemes for Varietal Certification or the Control of Seed Moving in the International Trade   
OECD Seed Schemes; Guidelines for Control Plot Tests and Field Inspection of Seed Crops  
 
3. Terms and definitions  
For the purposes of this standard , the terms and definitions given in ISTA and OECD  together with the 
following shall apply;  
3.1 
seed test certificate  
legal document issued by the national seed certification authority, which states that a seed lot has met the 
prescribed requirements set in this standard  
3.2 
distinctness  
variety is deemed to be distinct if it is clearly distinguishable in at least one cha racter from any other variety 
whose existence is a matter of common knowledge at the time of filing the application for registration  
3.3 
field 
defined and identifiable area of land or facility that is used to produce a seed crop under the Seed 
Certificatio n Scheme  
3.4 
field inspection  
examination  of a field and or seed crop, by an inspector to check if the  prescribed  requirements for seed  
certification have been satisfied  
3.5 
field number  
number assigned to the field by the national seed certification authority, when the application form for 
certification is submitted  AFDC 30 (1916 ) DTZS  
 
 3.6 
germination  
emergence of plumule and radicle and development of a seedling to a stage where the aspect of its 
essential structures indicates whether or not it is able to develop further into a satisfactory plant under 
favourable conditions in the field  
3.7 
seed grower  
person or entity registered to produce seed  
3.8 
inert matter  
seed units and all other matter and structures not defined as pure seed or other seeds  
3.9 
isola tion 
prescribed  distance or time between crops of sesame  that is required to prevent contamination either 
mechanically or by cross pollination  
3.10 
inspector  
authorized or licenced official responsible for carrying out field examination for seed  certification purposes  
3.11 
international seed testing association  rules  
instructions for seed testing that should be adhered to seed testing published by the International Seed 
Testing Assoc iation  (ISTA)  
3.12 
label  
tag or other device that is attached to , written, stamped, or printed on any container of seed or that 
accompanies any lot of bulk seed and which describes the kind of seed and any other information required 
by relevant regulation  
3.13 
previous cropping  
prescribed  period (seasons or years) that must elapse between the production of a crop of the same species 
in a field and the production of a crop entered in the certification scheme in the same field  
3.14 
maintainer  
person or organisation responsible for the produc tion or maintenance of a bred variety included in a national 
list of varieties/variety catalogue eligible for certification, and ensure that the variety remains true to type 
throughout its full life -span  
3.15 
national seed certification authority  
national  designated  authority responsible for conducting seed certification processes  
3.16 
off-type 
plant of the same species which does not exhibit the recognised and accepted habit and characteristics of 
the variety being grown  
 AFDC 30 (1916 ) DTZS  
 
 3.17 
other seeds  
seeds of any plant species other than that of the crop sample that is being tested. They consist of weed 
seeds and other crop seeds  
3.18 
post -control plot  
small plot where a representative sample of a seed lot is grown to determine the identity and purity of the 
variet y and to check if the seed certification system is operating satisfactorily  
3.19 
pure seed  
species stated by an applicant, or found to predominate in a test, and includes all botanical varieties and 
cultivars of that species, including intact seeds and pie ces of seed units larger than one -half their original 
size 
3.20 
variety registration  
listing  of an approved  new variety in a national variety catalogue after it has been tested and satisfied the 
prescribed requirements for distinctness, uniformity, stability, and has value for cultivation and use  
3.21 
rogueing  
removal of off -types and diseased plants or any other unwanted plant from a seed crop if they may reduce 
the quality of the harvested crop  
3.22 
seed certification  
process by which the quality and identity of a seed lot is assured  through official control and inspection by 
designated seed certification authority  
3.23 
seed lot  
defined quantity of seed bearing the same reference number and for which the origin, production history 
and identity is known  
3.24 
stability  
condition where distinguishing characteristics of a variety remain unchanged after repeated growing cycles  
3.25 
uniformity  
condition of a variety subject to the variation that may be expected from the  particular features of  its 
propagation, to remain sufficiently homogeneous in its relevant characteristics  
3.26 
variety  
assemblage of cultivated plants that is clearly distinguished from other varieties by any characters 
(morphological, physiological, cyt ological, chemical, or others) and which retains its distinguishing 
characteristics when reproduced by the normal means for the crop and variety  
3.27 
variety catalogue  
list of varieties that have been registered by a national designated authority  AFDC 30 (1916 ) DTZS  
 
 3.28 
carryover seed  
seed produced and certified in previous season and stored for one or more cropping seasons / or past its 
valid test duration  
3.29 
seed  
planting materials used for generative propagation of plants  
3.30 
breeder seed  
nucleus seed from the breeder that is used to produce pre -basic seed  
3.31 
pre-basic seed  
seed that is derived from breeder seed that is used to produce basic seed through one cycle of multiplication  
3.32 
basic seed  
seed that has been produced from breeder or pre -basic seed that is used for the production of certified 
seed  
3.33 
certified seed  
seed that is produced from basic seed through one or two generations of multiplication  
3.33.1 
certified seed 1st generation  
first generation of seed derived from basic seed  
3.33.2 
certified seed 2nd generation  
certified seed 2nd generation which is multiplied once and from certified seed 1st generation  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 AFDC 30 (1916 ) DTZS  
 
 4. General requirements  
Key parameters required to implement this standard are the variety descriptors, the genetic purity of the 
seed sown, the field and laboratory standards  
4.1 Eligible varieties  
4.1.1 Varieties eligible for seed certification shall be those registered in the national list of varieties/variety 
catalogue.  
4.1.2 The national seed certification authority shall keep the official descriptor of the varieties in hard and 
electronic copies.  
4.2 Inspection  and laboratory testing  
4.2.1 The minimum information for an application for certification of a seed crop shall include the following:  
a) name, address and contact details of the seed grower;  
b) crop and variety to be sown;  
c) physical location;  
d) area and reference number of the field, and its cropping history for the past two cropping seasons;  
e) class of seed to be produced; and  
f) registration number of the seed grower.  
4.2.2 Information and records related to the previous cropping history, origin of seed plan ted, and field 
inspections shall be kept and used for certification to ensure full traceability of quality, genetic identity and 
purity of the seed harvested.  
4.2.3 The inspection of seed crops shall be done in accordance with OECD Seed Schemes; Guidelines  for 
Control Plot Tests and Field Inspection of Seed Crops. If the field is found to be in conformity with the 
standards stated in Field requirements (Table 1) it is approved.  
4.2.4 The seed lot shall be sampled and tested in an official or authorized labo ratory. The sampling and 
testing of seed lots shall be done in accordance with the relevant procedures described in the ISTA rules.  
4.2.5 A seed lot that conforms to the standards set out in laboratory requirements (Table 2 ) shall be given 
a seed test cert ificate and a unique reference number to confirm its status under the certification scheme. 
One part of the seed sample shall be retained for sowing in a post -control plot in the next season  
 
5 Seed classes  
For the purpose of this standard, the following classes of seed shall apply:  
a) Pre -basic seed;  
b) Basic seed; and  
c) Certified seed:  AFDC 30 (1916 ) DTZS  
 
 (i) 1st generation (C1); and  
(ii) 2nd generation (C2).  
 
6. Land Requirements  
6.1. Land to be used for seed production of sesame shall be free of volunteer plants.  
6.2. A crop of Sesame will not be eligible for certification if planted on land on  
which Sesame was grown the previous year  unless the previous sesame crop was planted with a certified 
seed of the same variety,  
 
7. Field requirements   
7.1. A field producing a seed crop of sesame shall be approved for certification if it complies with the 
requirements in Table 1  
Table 1. Field requirement for certification  
S.No  Variable  Pre-basic Basic  Certified 1  Certified 2  
i.  Previous cropping 
(seasons before), min.  1 1 1 1 
ii.  Isolation, m, min.  15 15 10 10 
iii.  No. of inspection, min  2 2 2 2 
iv.  Off-types (%), max.  0.1 0.2 0.5 0.5 
v.  Diseases (%), max  
• Root rot  0.5 0.5 1 1 
 
• Charcoal rot  0.5 1 2 2 
• Fusarium wilt  1 1 2 2 
• Bacteria Blight  1 1 2 2 
• Powdery mildew  0.5 0.5 1 1 
• Leaf spot  1 1 2 2 
 
7.2. Fields may be rejected for certification because of unsatisfactory condition caused by poor growth, 
poor stands, excessive disease presence, insect damage, and any other condition that prevents accurate 
inspection or creates doubt as to the identity of the variety.  
7.3. The field inspection  report shall be i ssued in accordance with Annex A  
 
 AFDC 30 (1916 ) DTZS  
 
 8. Seed sampling and laboratory standards  
8.1 The harvested seed from the field approved for certification shall be kept as an identified unit until 
processing. After processing, a sample shall be submitted to laboratory for testing where a conformed 
sample shall be given a certificate with a uniqu e lot number for the purpose of tracking and sampling.  
8.2 The maximum size of a seed lot for certification purposes is 20 000 kg; lots larger than this shall be 
divided and given separate lot numbers.  
8.3 An inspector shall draw a representative submitted sample from each lot according to ISTA rules.  
8.4 The submitted sample shall be divided into three sub -samples, one for testing in the laboratory, one to 
be stored for reference purposes in case re -testing is necessary, and one for  the post -control tests. The 
samples shall be marked with the same identification as the seed lot, securely sealed and shall be stored 
in cool and dry conditions to prevent contamination and loss of germination.  
8.5 Laboratories authorized by the national seed certification authority to conduct seed testing for 
certification shall follow the methodology established in the ISTA rules for sesame  seed.  
8.6 The seed lots shall comply with the laborator y standards specified in Table 2 . 
Table 2  — Laboratory requi rements  for certification  
S.No  Variable  Pre-basic  Basic  Certified 1  Certified 2  
i.  Pure seed (%), min.  98 98 95 95 
ii.  Other seeds (%), max.  0.1 0.1 0.2 0.3 
iii.  Weed seeds (number/kg)  4 4 4 4 
iv.  Inert matter (%), max  2 2 3 3 
v.  Moisture content (%), max.  10 10 10 10 
vi.  Germination (%), min  85 80 75 75 
vii.  Diseases (%), max  
• Root rot  0.5 0.5 1 1 
 
• Charcoal rot  0.5 1 2 2 
• Fusarium wilt  1 1 2 2 
• Bacteria Blight  1 1 2 2 
• Powdery mildew  0.5 0.5 1 1 
 • Leaf spot  1 1 2 2 
 
8.7. The laboratory test report shall be i ssued in accordance with Annex B  
 
 
 AFDC 30 (1916 ) DTZS  
 
 9. Certificates  
9.1 The seed test certificate for a seed lot shall be signed and issued by the national seed certification 
authority and shall include all information presented in Annex C. This certificate shall be valid for a period 
of seven  months.  
9.2 Carryover seed sha ll be re -sampled and retested for germination. If the test result complies with the 
prescribed  standards, a new test certificate shall be issued for the seed lot, which cancels the previously 
issued certificate, and shall include the certificate number of the cancelled certificate.  
 
 10. Packaging and labelling  
10.1 All classes of seed that have been certified shall be packaged in new containers which shall be 
marked with the company name and crop species and shall have the official label of the national seed 
certification authority.  
10.2 The labels for each class are identified by the following colours:  
➢ Pre-basic seed: Violet band on white  
➢ Basic seed: White  
➢ Certified Seed 1st generation: Blue  
➢ Certified Seed 2nd generation: Red  
10.3  If seeds are treated with any chemical or product harmful for human or animal consumption, the 
container shall carry a label stating the chemical or product used and warning of the health risks.  
10.4 The labels sha ll be prominent, indelible, legible and fixed to the containers by an authorized person 
in such a way that they cannot b e destroyed or easily removed. The following information shall be 
included on the official labels:  
• name of the crop, “Sesame  seed”;  
• species (Latin name);  
• variety denomination;  
• seed lot numb er; 
• test certificate number;  
• date of test;  
• net weight;  
• seed treatment declaration  
• logo of the national certification authority;  
• name and address of certifying authority;  
• seed class;  
• year and country of production; and  
• statement of re -packing and re-labelling (if applicable).  
 AFDC 30 (1916 ) DTZS  
 
 10.4  All containers/bags shall be closed either by hand or machine stitching and shall be sealed in 
such a way that if they are opened illegally, that violation can be detected.  
 
10.5 Repackaging and relabelling are authorized in the following cases:  
a) the national seed certification authority may authorize the re -packaging and re -labelling of a particular 
seed lot that is produced in another country, but shall retain the original label information of the producing 
country; and  
b) blending of a seed lot with other lots of the same variety and class (generation) is allowable if all seed 
lots of the blend have met the field and laboratory requirements for certification prior to blending. A new 
lot number shall be issued . Details of the blended lots and their proportions shall be kept by the certifying 
authority for traceability.  
 
11 Post -control tests  
The Post control tests shall be carried out in accordance with OECD Schemes  for Varietal Certification or 
the control of Seed Moving in the International Trade  
 
 
 
 
 
 AFDC 30 (1916 ) DTZS  
 
 Annex  A 
(normative)  
 
Field inspection report  
Reference number..................  
Date of the report....................  
 
Seed grower information  
Name ……………………………………. Address ………………………………………  
Telephone: ……………………………… E -mail.............…………………………………  
Registration number……………………. Number of inspections ....................................  
Field location  
Province/Region.............................................. District ...............................Sector  .......………….…….........  
Latitude................................................................. Longitude ………………. Field number..................... .........  
Field size (Ha/acre) ………………………......... Cropping season ………. Crop species ……………............  
Seed  class ………………………….…………… Variety ………………… Previous cropping………………  
Variable  Observations/results  Comments/remarks  
Isolation, m    
Off types    
Weeds    
Deliberative disease  
    
   
   
   
   
General conditions of the crop (for example, 
drought, crop husbandry, etc.)    
 
Decision  
Decision on the approval  Justification  
The seed crop is approved for 
certification   
The seed crop is not approved 
for certification   
 
Name of Seed grower                                                       Name of Inspector    
    
 
 
Date &  signature                                                       Date, signature & Stamp  
   
 
 
 AFDC 30 (1916 ) DTZS  
 
 Annex  B 
(informative)  
 
Seed laboratory test report  
Name of seed grower  
Species, variety, class, weight of lot  
Testing and Issuing laboratory  
Sampled by  
Test number  
Country of origin  
Label serial number  
Seed Lot Reference Number:  
 
Number of 
containers  Date of sampling  Date sample 
received  Date test(s)  
concluded  
 Test number  
 
     
ANALYSIS RESULTS  
Purity  Germination  Moisture  
content,  
% 
 Pure 
seed  
% 
 Inert 
matter,  
% 
 Other  
crop 
seeds  
% Weed  
seeds,  
per kg  Number  
of days  
 Normal  
seedling  
s, 
% 
 Hard  
seeds,  
% 
 Fresh  
seeds,  
% 
 Abnormal  
seedlings,  
% 
 Dead  
seeds,  
% 
 
           
Kind of inert matter:  
Other crop seeds:  
Weed seed:  
Other determinations : 
Place  
 Date  
 Name & Signature  
 
 AFDC 30 (1916 ) DTZS  
 
 Annex C  
(Normative)  
 
Seed test certificate  
This certificate is issued for a seed lot which has satisfied all the requirements of the certification scheme  
  
Previously issued certificate 
number..............  Certificate No. ………….  Standard:.................  
APPLICANT INFORMATION  
Seed Lot Reference  
Number  
 Species and  
Variety  
 Class 
 Weight of lot  Number of  
containers  
     
Name of testing laboratory:  Test number:  
ANALYSIS RESULTS  
Purity Germination  Moisture  
content,  
% Pure  
seed  
% Inert 
matter  
% Other  
crop 
seeds 
% Weed  
seeds  
Per 
kg Normal  
seedlings  Abnormal  
seedlings  Fresh  
seeds Hard  
seeds Dead  
seeds 
          
Kind of inert matter:  
Kind of other crop seeds:  
Kind of weed seeds:  
Other determinations : Statement of packaging and re -
labelling: (if  
applicable)  
 
 
 
National Seed Certification Authority  
Signature ………………………………………………………………….  
Place and Date ………………………………………………………………….