Administrative Rules of Montana
Department 4 - AGRICULTURE
Chapter 4.12 - AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES DIVISION
Subchapter 4.12.35 - Grading of Certified Seed Potatoes
Rule 4.12.3503 - BLUE TAGS
Universal Citation: MT Admin Rules 4.12.3503
Current through Register Vol. 6, March 22, 2024
(1) The official blue tag shall be used to designate seed lots that are the equivalent of the U.S. No. 1 grade with the following exceptions:
(a) size -- the minimum size
shall be 1 1/2 ounces and the maximum size shall be 12 ounces.
(b) combined total length of growth cracks may
extend two-thirds length of tuber and/or the depth of one-fourth the diameter of the
tuber.
(c) cuts and bruises shall be
scored when removal causes loss of more than 10% of the total weight of a tuber.
(d) air cracks shall be scored only if
the depth exceeds 1/2 inch.
(e) sunburn
(greening), hollow heart, hollow heart with discoloration, light brown discoloration
or brown center shall be permissible.
(f) stem-end discoloration - serious discoloration
extending beyond a depth of 1/2 inch shall be scored unless verified by a department
approved pathologist as not being a disease symptom.
(g) immaturity, as indicated by feathering of
skin, shall not disqualify provided there is no undue loss of weight from wilting or
shriveling of tubers.
(h) sprouts - not
more than 10% of the lot may have sprouts more than 3/4 inch in length. Individual
sprouts or clusters shall not be scored on appearance or length if within the 10%
tolerance.
(i) oversized, undersized,
and sprouts shall be permissible provided the excess tolerance is indicated on the
official grade certificate.
(j) freezing
injury other than the condition of being frozen or affected by soft rot or wet
breakdown shall be scored when removal of the affected area causes a loss of more
than 10% of the total weight of the tuber. The tolerance is 3% or less for freezing
injury.
(k) the tolerance is 1% or less
for potatoes which are affected by late blight tuber rot, soft rot or wet
breakdown.
AUTH: 80-3-311, MCA; IMP: 80-3-311, 80-3-312, MCA
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