North American Certified Seed Potato Health Certificate (NACSPHC)
Carol MacNeil, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Cornell Vegetable Program
The emergence of Potato Virus Yntn, which causes tuber necrotic ringspot disease (TNRD) in susceptible varieties, and the emergence of blackleg Dickeya, both serious seed-borne diseases, are very important reasons why you need to get a copy of the North American Certified Seed Potato Health Certificate (NACSPHC) for each lot of potato seed you buy.
About 20% of the PVY in the North American seed crop is currently PVYntn. 25% incidence of TNRD occurred in a local grower's crop from one field, resulting in very high losses. It is reported as "Mosaic" on the certificate, which includes all the PVY strains. Only buy seed lots with a very low percent of mosaic. Aphids can spread the disease from a non-necrotic ringspot susceptible "carrier" to a susceptible variety on your farm. From Meg McGrath, 8/25, Long Island Fruit & Vegetable Update - Brown leaf spots and necrotic leaf veins in the early, European variety Nadine this season were confirmed to be caused by PVYNTN. See photos of these leaves and of a plant with more typical mild symptoms, plus information about PVY. Also see images of the brown necrotic ringspots on tubers of a susceptible variety. In other varieties PVYntn only reduces yield, causing plants to produce fewer and smaller tubers. Read about varietal susceptibility to TNRD.
Common bacterial blackleg and the new, much more virulent bacterial blackleg Dickeya (BBD) aren't distinguished on the NACSPH Certificate, but are reported as "Blackleg" at this time. About 30% of potato stems in one local field wilted and died from BBD in 2015. Four fields were confirmed positive in the CVP region in 2016, and more fields were suspected. Plant pathologists are recommending that growers adopt 0% tolerance for blackleg in their seed. If any BBD was seen in a field this year check carefully for rotting tubers and the "shells" of tubers that already rotted, before harvest. Also note if yield was less than expected. 2016 incidence of BBD in Eastern and some Midwestern fields were traced to 11 ME seed producers and 2 New Brunswick, Canada, producers, of Reba, Superior, Vivaldi, Norwis, Snowden, Yukon Gold, Beacon Chipper, Kennebec and Atlantic.
North American Certified Seed Potato Health Certificate (SAMPLE) (pdf; 469KB)
Upcoming Events
2025 Finger Lakes Auction Winter Growers Meeting
January 2, 2025
Penn Yan, NY
At this grower-focused meeting, ag industry experts will discuss pest control in vegetables, weed management strategies and best practices, seed germination, an introduction to foliar nutrient uptake in vegetables, and grouping flowers by growth needs. Plus we'll hear from a grower panel from Kutztown Produce Auction, moderated with NYS specific pest control from Judson Reid.
2.25 DEC recertification credits will be offered in categories 10, 1a, 23, and 24.
2025 Ontario Produce Auction Winter Growers Meeting
January 15, 2025
Stanley, NY
This grower-focused meeting will include information about pesticide applicator recertification and record keeping requirements, disease control in cole crops and vine crops, and using biocontrols for insect management in greenhouses. Several seed and ag input companies will be on-hand to share product news.
2.75 DEC recertification credits will be offered in categories 10, 1a, 23 and 24. CORE credits (0.5) offered too!
Intro to Food Safety and GAPs Training
February 19, 2025
via Zoom,
This virtual workshop will serve two purposes:
- For produce farms just interested in learning about farm food safety, this program will introduce principles and best practices.
- For produce farms look for a GAPs (Good Agricultural Practices) training needed to meet buyer demands for audit/certification, this program will provide that as well.