Pennsylvania Code › Title 7 - AGRICULTURE › Part V - Bureau of Plant Industry › Chapter 115 - STANDARDS FOR SEED CERTIFICATION › Subchapter S - TREES › RECORD REQUIREMENTS › Section 115.425 - Data and analyses

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
Data and analyses supporting claims made in the varietal
						(seed) or clonal (vegetative) descriptions shall be appropriate to the
						following certification categories:
(1)
Certified tree seed or
					 clone.
(i) Seed progeny test records
					 of individuals or populations or clonal test records (vegetative) shall attest
					 that the following requirements have been met, and shall list the names of all
					 persons involved. Alternatively, if a clone was certified by a different
					 agency, a document of certification and an official copy of its certification
					 standards and procedures may be submitted if they offer equivalent guarantees
					 of genetic qualities.
(ii) Each
					 test shall be designed to evaluate differences in specified characteristics at
					 appropriate ages, and test results shall be expressed in those terms. The
					 statistical design shall be recorded in detail to guide the analyses of test
					 data and the evaluation of results. Replication, randomization and
					 specification of appropriate error terms for evaluating differences shall be
					 essential features. Results shall be expressed in standard units of measure,
					 and statistical tests of significance shall be provided for differences between
					 means.
(iii) Test locations shall
					 adequately sample the geographic region for which the variety of clone is to be
					 recommended. The record shall describe the test sites, including location,
					 climate, soil, past use, site preparation, cultural treatments and occurrence
					 of damage caused by freezes, droughts, insects, diseases or other
					 agencies.
(iv) Seeds or plants
					 subjected to testing shall truly represent seeds or plants that subsequently
					 are to be submitted for certification. If there are possible differences due to
					 pollination or propagation method, seed collection, propagule collection
					 procedures or sampling, it shall be shown that the departures do not bias the
					 test results or their applicability to certification.
(v) One or more check clones of seedling
					 varieties shall be incorporated in the progeny tests or clonal tests. The
					 checks shall represent seeds or plants that would have been acceptable to a
					 prudent, well-informed purchaser had the improved seed or clone not been
					 produced or propagated.
(vi)
					 Records shall indicate that reasonable efforts were made to avoid experimental
					 bias that could be introduced by variation in nursery beds, cultural practices,
					 lifting, grading, packing, storage, transportation, planting, plantation
					 treatments, measurements techniques or mixed identities.
(vii) Measurements and observations made
					 during the progeny or clonal test shall be preserved in readily understandable
					 form, together with statistical analyses and clear, verified summaries. The
					 report shall include quantitative comparisons between the candidate progenies
					 or clones and the checks for each characteristic measured and for each
					 measurement date, whether or not any differences revealed are favorable or
					 statistically significant.