DRAFT KENYA STANDARD            DKS 2910 : 2020  
                                                                                                               ICS 67.060  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Seed cotton  —Spec ification  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
©KEBS  2020                              First Edition  2020 
 DKS 2910 : 2020  
   ii TECHNICAL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATION  
 
 
 
 The following organizations were represented on the National Technical Committee : 
(to be updated)  
Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Servi ces (KEPHIS)  
Government Chemist’s Department  
University of Nairobi — Department of Plant Science and Crop Protec  
Kenya Agricultural and livestock research Organization -Horticulture research institute  
National Potato Council of Kenya(NPCK)  
Agriculture and Food Authority - Fiber crop directorate  
Ministry of Agriculture, livestock and fisheries  
Fides(k) LTD 
Kenya Bureau of Standards — Secretariat  
 
 
 
 
 
 
REVISION OF KENYA  STANDARDS  
 
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Suggestions for improvement of published standards are welcome and should be addressed to the Managing 
Director, Kenya Bureau of Standards.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
©Kenya Bureau of Standards, 2020 
 
Copyright. Users are reminded that by virtue of Section 25 of the Copyright Act, Cap. 12 of 2001 of  the Laws of Kenya, copyright subsists in 
all Kenya Standards and except as provided under Section 26 of this Act, n o Kenya Standard produced by Kenya Bureau of Standards may 
be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system in any form or transmitted by any means without prior permission in writing from the Managing 
Director . 
  
   iii  
 
DRAFT KENYA STANDARD                   DKS 2 910:2020  
                       ICS 67.060 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Seed cotton  — specification  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KENYA BUREAU OF STANDARDS (KEBS)  
 
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 DKS 2910 : 2020  
   iv Foreword  
This Kenya Standard was prepared by the Propagation Materials   Technical Committee under the guidance of 
the Standards Projects Committee,  and it is in accordance with the procedures of the Kenya Bureau of 
Standards  
This is the first edition. The standard  address es sanitary and phytosanitary aspects of seed cotton  that were 
missing in the previous edition. T hese include the tolera nce levels for pests and diseases during storage and the 
quality requirements of a lot.  
During the preparation of this standard, reference was made to the following document (s):  
Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards  of 2013  
The See ds and Plant Varieties Act, Cap. 326, of the Laws of Kenya.  
Acknowledgement is hereby made for the assistance derived from this (these) source (s)  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 DRAFT KENYA STANDARD       DKS 2910:  2020 
   1  
Seed cotton – Specification  
 
1 Scope   
This Draft Kenya  Standard specifies the  requirements    for production, sampling and test ing of  breeder seed, pre-
basic, basic an d certified seed of cotton ( Gossypium spp.)  
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 (including any amendments) applies.  
International Seed Testing Association ISTA Rules  
OECD, Seed Schem es; Guidelines for Control Plot Tests and Field Inspection of Seed Crops  
OECD, Schemes for Varietal Certification or the Control of Seed Moving in the International Trade  
UPOV TG/16/8, Guidelines for conducting DUS tests for Cotton ( Gossypium spp .) 
Seeds a nd plant varieties Act - Cap 326  
 
3 Terms and definitions  
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply . 
3.1 lot  
a prescribed maximum quantity of seed cotton  bearing the same reference number, and being of the same 
variety, category, class, size and origin and covered by one set of documents  
3.2 breeder seeds  
Progeny of parental material   
3.3 pre- basic seeds  
Progeny of breeders seed  
 
3.4 basic seeds  
Progeny of pre basic seeds  
 
3.5 certified seeds  
Progeny of certifie d  pre-basic  seed  or  certified basic seed  
 DKS2910 : 2020  
   2 3.6 National Designated A uthority  (NDA) 
organization, or agency empowered by national legislation to administer the certification of seed cotton  under 
this Standard.  
3.7 field 
 
a def ined area of land  or any other production facility  used for cultivation of  seed  cotton  
3.8 generation  
the number of growing cycles since the first introduction in the field.  
3.9 inspection  
examination of plants, seeds , units of presentation, equip ment or facilities by National certification  
Authority, to determine compliance with regulatory requirements.  
3.10 sampling  
The procedure of  drawing at random a number of  seed cotton , plants or parts of plants, which may be taken as 
representa tive of the lot or the field.  
3.11 seed cotton  
propagation materials of Gossypium spp  which are certified by the NDA  
 
3.12 international seed testing association (ISTA) rules  
the rules for seed testing published by the International Seed Tes ting Association that define the procedures by 
which laboratory tests on seeds should be conducted  
 
3.13 noxious weed  
a weed species, the seed of which is difficult to separate during processing or has undesirable effects on the 
crop produced, for example by possible genetic contamination.  
3.14 hybrid  
Plant variety obtained from crossing at least two distinct lines that may be of the same or different species  
3.15 CMS Hybrids -Cytoplasmic male sterility -  
hybrids produced by incorporating female parents tha t lack the ability to self-pollinate  therefore fertilization is 
only possible through introduction of foreign pollen( from the designated male parents)   
4  General requirements  
4.1 General  
The seed companies and the seed growers of  seed  cotton shall be registered by the Designated National 
Authority.   
Key parameters required to implement this standard are the variety descriptors, the genetic purity of the seed 
sown, the field and laboratory requirements and the post -control tests.  
4.2 Eligibl e varieties          DKS2910 : 2020  
 
   3 4.2.1 Varieties eligible for seed certification shall be those that have been examined, tested and registered in the 
national list of varieties/variety catalogue.  
4.2.2 The national seed certification authority shall keep the official descripto rs of the varieties in hard and 
electronic copies.  
4.3  Application for seed field Inspection   
4.3.1 registered growers  will make applications fo r seed field  inspection to the certification Authority by filling in 
the prescribed form ; 
 The minimum information for an application for certification of a seed cotton  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, a nd its cropping history for the past two cropping seasons;  
e) class of seed to be produced; and  
f) registration number of the seed grower  
g) proof of origin of the seed planted . 
4.3.2 Information and records related to the previous cropping history, origin of seed planted, and field 
inspections shall be kept and used for certification to ensure full traceability of quality, genetic identity and purity 
of the seed harvested.  
4.3.3 The inspection of seed crops shall be done in accordance with OECD Seed Schemes; Guidel ines for 
Control Plot Tests and Field Inspection of Seed Crops.  
4.3.4 The seed lot shall be sampled and tested in an official or authorized laboratory. The sampling and testing 
of seed lots shall be done in accordance with the relevant procedures described  in the ISTA rules.  
4.3.5 A seed lot that conforms to the requirements set out in Table 2 shall be given a seed test certificate and a 
unique reference number to confirm its status under the certification scheme. One part of the seed sample shall 
be retain ed for sowing in a post -control plot in the next season, or earlier if that can be achieved.  
5 Seed classes  
For the purpose of this standard, the following classes of seed shall apply:  
   a) breeders seed  
b)pre-basic seed;  
c)basic seed; and  
d) certified se ed:-C1-  1st generation  
                              C2-2nd generation  DKS2910 : 2020  
   4 6 Field requirement s 
6.1 breeders,  Pre basic and basic seed shall be produced under the responsibility of the breeder or 
maintainer  
6.2  Certified seed shall be produced in two gener ations except in hybrids.   
6.3 The national designated authority  shall inspect and certify the production of  breeders, pre-basic, basic and 
certified seed cotton  crops  
6.4 A field producing a seed crop of cotton shall be approved for certification if it complies with the 
requirements in Table 1  and 2 . 
Table 1 — Field requirements for isolation and off types  in seed crops of cotton  
Species  Isolation, metres (minimum)  Off-types of other 
cultivars  
Fiber Crops  BR PB B C1 C2 BR PB B C1 C2 
Cotton - CMS hybrids  - - - 800 800 1 I I 5 5 
Gossypium barbadense - Non hybrid 
and non CMS hybrids  200 200 200 150 150 1 I I 5 5 
Gossypium hirsutum - Non hybrid and 
non CMS hybrids  100 100 100 30 30 1 I I 5 5 
tGossypium barbadense  x Gossypium 
hirsutum  200 200 200 150 150 r 
if r 
if r 
if 5m 
5f 5m 
5f 
Key: BR = Breeder’s seed; PB = Pre -basic Seed; B = Basic seed; C,. C2, = Certified generation 1,2   
CMS hybrids -Cytoplasmic male sterility  
m- male  parents  
f-female  parents  
         
  Table 2 - field requirements for Pests and disease  for seeds cotton  
S/N Variable  Breeders, 
Pre-basic 
seed and 
basic  Certified seed  
C1and C2  
i Bacterial Blight,% max  0 0 
ii Fulsarium wilt,% max  0 0 
iii Leaf curl,%max  0 1 
iv Cotton strainer s, % max  2 5 
v Cotton aphids, %max  2 5 
vi Cotton Jussid, %max  2 5 
i African bollworm,% max  2 5 
         DKS2910 : 2020  
 
   5 6.5  Fields may be rejected for certification because of unsatisfactory condition caused by noxious weeds, 
poor growth, poor stands, excessive disease prese nce, insect damage, and any other condition that prevents 
accurate inspection or creates doubt as to the identity of the variety.  
 
7 Field inspection  
7.1  The national seed certification authority shall prepare the inspections’ schedule for the inspectors,  based 
on all necessary information on the application form, to ensure that the timing of inspections allows the 
requirements in Table 1and Table 2.  
7.2  The inspector shall inspect the field in accordance with OECD seed schemes and prevailing national 
legislations governing seed certification and shall check for isolation requirements, off types, the presence of 
noxious weeds and pests and diseases.  
7.3  A minimum of two  inspections shall be done for each seed production field to check if the field 
requirements specified in Table 1  and 2  have been met.  
7.4  At the time of the first inspection, the inspector shall confirm with the grower the previous cropping of the 
field, checking on isolation, and the proof of origin/authentication of the variety pl anted by using the labels.  
7.5  Depending on the degree of contamination, the inspector may give instructions for off -types and 
diseased plants to be rogued so as to maintain the genetic purity. In case of noxious weeds found in the field, 
the grower shall  be instructed to remove the weeds before harvesting.  
7.6  The field inspection report shall indicate the field status and comments for any corrective actions 
required such as re -inspection to confirm the field requirements. All field inspection reports sh all be provided to 
the grower and the seed enterprise after each inspection in a timely manner. The field inspection report  shall be 
signed by both the inspector and the grower or the grower’s representative.  
8 Seed  processing, sampling,  labora tory requirements  
8.1  The harvested seed from the field approved for certification shall be kept as a  uniquely  identified unit 
until processing.   
8.2 The h arvested seed shall be subjected to processing inspection  where the seed lot  has to meet the specific 
quality requirements as per table 3  
Table 3- Processing requirements for seed cotton  
  
 
 
8.3 The maximum size of a seed lot for certification  purposes is 25 ,000 kg; lots larger than this shall be divided 
and a give n separate lot numbers   for purposes of tracking and sampling as per the ISTA guidelines  
8.4  After processing, a sample shall be  drawn according to  ISTA  guidelines and submitted to laboratory for 
testing . 
8.6  The submitted sample shall be divided into  a minimum of 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 Factor  Tolerance  
 Br, PB, B Certified  
Fuzzy, broken, damaged  <2% <2% 
Other crop seed  None  None   DKS2910 : 2020  
   6 tests. The samples shall be marked with the same identification as the seed lot, securel y 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 estab lished in the ISTA rules for seed cotton . 
8.6  The seed lots shall comply with the laboratory requirements specified in Table 4  
Table 4 —Laboratory requirements for seeds lots of cotton  
S/N Variable  All classes of seed 
cotton  
i Pure seed, %, min. ( by weight)   98  
ii Foreign matter, broken ,damaged 
seed ,% max by weight  2 
iii Other crop seeds, kg, max.  0 
iv Germination, %, min.  75 
v  
Moisture content, % max.  10 
. 
  
9 Certificates  
9.1 The seed test certificate for a seed lot shall be issued by the national seed certification authority . 
9.2This certificate shall be valid for a period of 12 months.  
9.3 Carryover seed shall be re -sampled and retested for germination  upon expiry of the validity period  of 
certification . If the test  result complies with the minimum requirements, a new test certificate shall be issued for 
the seed lot, which cancels the previously issued certificate and shall include  reference to previously certified 
seed lot.  
10 Packaging and labelling  
10.1 All classes of seed that have been certified shall be packaged  and labelled  in accordance with prevailing 
national regulation . 
10.2 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.  
10.3 The labels shall be prominent, indelible, legible ,uniquely serialized  and fixed to the  package  by an 
authorized person in such a way that they cannot be destroyed or easily removed.  
10.4 The minimum labelling requireme nts shall include:   
i. name of the crop, ”Seed cotton ”; 
ii. species (Latin name);          DKS2910 : 2020  
 
   7 iii. variety name ; 
iv. seed lot number;  
v. net w eight;  
vi. seed treatment declaration (if applicable);  
         vi. logo of the national designated authority ; 
        vii. name and address of certifying authority;  
       viii. seed class;  
        ix. name and address of the registered seed company  under the provisions as stipulated by the National    
designated authority  
        x. statement of re -packing and re -labelling (if applicable)  
      xii. statement stating “Not for human  and animal  consumption” . 
Note : the label may also contain othe r information such as the test certificate number  and the date of test  where 
applicable  
10.5 All containers/bags shall be sealed in such a way that if they are opened illegally, that violation can be  
detected.  
10.6 Repackaging and relabeling 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  
12 Compliance  
A seed cotton lot shall be deemed to comply if upon inspection and testing, the provisions under this standard 
are met.  
 
 
 
 DKS2910 : 2020  
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         DKS2910 : 2020  
 
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