Seed Technical Specification Guide — ISTA, HR/IR Codes, ToBRFV & More
Seed quality is invisible until the crop fails. A precise technical specification turns quality from a hope into a contractual obligation. This guide covers the ISTA framework, the difference between HR and IR resistance codes, ToBRFV testing, GMO-free declarations and how to encode treatment on the RFQ.
Can I demand ToBRFV-tested tomato seed?
Yes — this is now standard practice. Any competitive breeder can supply ToBRFV-tested lots. No. ISTA is an accredited international protocol. Internal certificates are not acceptable for commercial procurement.
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Open the RFQ BuilderGermination and physical quality
Every seed lot should have an ISTA orange certificate stating germination percentage (typically ≥ 85% for hybrids, ≥ 92% for premium vegetable F1s), purity, other-seed count, moisture and 1,000-seed weight. Specify minima, not targets.
ISTA orange certificate
The ISTA orange (International Seed Testing Association) certificate is the global standard. Insist on it for every commercial lot; reject offers that only propose 'internal lab' certificates.
HR vs IR — resistance codes
High Resistance (HR): the plant severely restricts the pathogen's growth. Intermediate Resistance (IR): the plant restricts development but symptoms may appear under high pressure. Susceptible (S): no resistance. Always demand the exact code alongside the pathogen name (e.g. 'TYLCV IR / Fol:1,2 HR').
ToBRFV — the new baseline for tomato and pepper
Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus is the fastest-moving tomato disease worldwide. Elite Dutch, Israeli and Spanish breeders now offer ToBRFV IR/HR packages by default. Every tomato and pepper RFQ should specify ToBRFV testing on the phytosanitary certificate and reference the ISF harmonised protocol.
GMO-free and non-GMO IP
For markets that require it (EU, most of Asia, most of Africa) specify an origin-country GMO-free declaration and, for grain and oil crops, non-GMO Identity-Preserved documentation.
Treatment codes
Treated seed should state active ingredient, dose (g a.i. / 100 kg) and colour. Untreated seed should be marked explicitly to avoid customs and organic-programme conflicts.
Frequently asked questions
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