What is required for a nursery stock to obtain nematode certification according to CCR 3640?

To obtain nematode certification according to CCR 3640, a nursery stock must achieve an economically clean status. This status indicates that the plants have been inspected and are free of specific nematodes that can cause economic damage to crops. The certification process ensures that the nursery stock is healthy and suitable for trade, fostering a safer agricultural environment.

The focus on economically clean status is critical because nematodes can adversely affect not only the health of individual plants but also agricultural productivity overall. This requirement emphasizes the importance of maintaining high standards in plant health to prevent the spread of harmful pests and contribute to sustainable agricultural practices.

In this context, factors such as adherence to organic standards, while important for overall plant certification and quality assurance, do not specifically impact nematode certification. The location of production and specific labeling may also be relevant for other regulatory and marketing purposes but are not the primary focus for nematode certification under the cited regulation.