MINT

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS

I. BASIC RULES

The UCIA General Seed Certification Requirements and Standards are basic and with the following constitute the requirements and standards for mint certification.

II. MINT QUARANTINE ENFORCEMENT AND ROOTSTOCK PRODUCTION

A. Commercial oil-production fields are to be inspected under the certification program as an aid in enforcing the state quarantine against mint Verticillium wilt, which has not yet been found in Utah. Therefore the requirements and inspections required for certified rootstock production which relate to this disease will also apply to oil production and non-certified rootstock fields.

B. APPLICATIONS

Dates and fees for applications for both oil and rootstock production are as listed in the General Requirements and Standards.

C. ROOTSTOCK ELIGIBILITY

1. Mint rootstock consists of the rhizomes or stolons of mint plants.

2. All rootstocks transported into the state must be certified and properly identified with a certificate or tags from the certifying agency in the state where the rootstock was produced. SUCH ROOTSTOCKS MUST BE FREE FROM VERTICILLIUM WILT.

3. Mint rootstock planted for certification must be of the proper generation of a clone produced under a recognized nuclear origin program.

D. LAND REQUIREMENTS

1. Mint planted for both rootstock and commercial oil production must be planted on land on which no mint was grown during the previous three years and is free of volunteer mint plants.

2. The land must not have been in potatoes or tomatoes during the previous three years.

3. Isolation: Different varieties of mint for certified rootstock production must be separated by a roadway or similar barrier that will prevent mixing of the rootstock.

E. FIELD INSPECTION

1. Annual Inspection: At least one field inspection will be made prior to each cutting of mint hay.

2. New plantings of mint rootstock for certification will be inspected soon after emergence and again before harvest of rhizomes.

F. FIELD STANDARDS

1. For certified rootstock production, fields of a given mint variety must be free of other varieties or species and mint types including wild mint.

2. fields must be free of Verticillium wilt caused by strains of Verticillium albo-atrum or Verticillium dahliae pathogenic to mints.

3. If any plants in a field are suspected to be infected with mint Verticillium wilt, and laboratory isolation confirms its presence, the field will be immediately quarantined. Fumigation of the area of infection and/or the whole field must be accomplished by the farmer. No rootstocks may be harvested from a field if Verticillium wilt is found in any portion of the field.

G. HARVEST

1. The mint hay may be harvested from a field in which Verticillium wilt has been found, but only under strict supervision of a UCIA representative. Care must be taken that soil or plant material from the infected field does not contaminate other fields. Steam cleaning of harvesting equipment is necessary before moving from an infected field.

2. When harvesting and transporting certified mint rhizomes, different varieties and types (and classes) of mint must be kept separate.

III. ROOTSTOCK INSPECTION AND TAGGING

A. Inspection: All mint rootstocks must be inspected after they are dug and before the increase is set in the new field. Plant material may be collected and tested for Verticillium wilt. The mint rhizomes shall be of plants of similar varietal characteristics that are fresh; firm; moist; free from mold; free of detectable, dangerous insects, nematodes, diseases, noxious weed parts, and other pests.

B. Tagging: A Bulk Certificate will be issued for each lot of certified rootstock harvested. The amount of rootstock covered under the certificate will be calculated on an individual basis. This Certificate will serve as proof of origin for fields planted with rootstock eligible for re-certification.