Rules for Storing Seed under Conditions of Zero Tolerance for Karnal Bunt Teliospores

Preventive Seed Health Procedures to be Applied before Placing Seed in Storage

Warehouse hygiene

Warehouses should be washed and cleaned regularly. Floors and surfaces must be disinfected with a 1% sodium hypochlorite solution. Slide traps must be positioned in every chamber, room, or common environment to check contamination.

Seed testing before storage

Seed to be placed in storage should have been multiplied in areas free of Karnal bunt (KB) and subjected to the filter test (Appendix) before storage:

• Seed must be checked for KB before shipping to cooperators.

Seed is stored in metal containers to avoid contamination. Upon storage, the SHL will set up slide traps to detect any contamination that way occur over time.

Preventive measures to be followed by warehouse staff

The number of staff supervising incoming and outgoing materials must be kept to a minimum.

When moving seed or whenever they go inside the storeroom, staff must wear sneakers and clothing (aprons or overalls) reserved specifically for this purpose. Lab coats must be washed regularly (every week) even if they have not been worn.

Procedures for Cleaning the Warehouse after Seed is Introduced

The storage area must be vacuumed regularly (at least once a week) to get rid of dust. It should NEVER be dusted with a dry cloth. Dust collected in the vacuum bag must be placed very carefully into another bag and burned in an incinerator.

A cloth moistened in a 1% sodium hypochlorite solution may be used to wipe work surfaces. However, it should not be used on metal surfaces that have not been protected from chlorine by anti-corrosion paint (the kind used in swimming pools).

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