ISO 20311:2017

Overview

ISO 20311:2017 - Traditional Chinese medicine - Salvia miltiorrhiza seeds and seedlings defines minimum requirements and test methods for Salvia miltiorrhiza (used in Traditional Chinese Medicine) seed and one‑year seedlings. The standard is intended for quality assurance during production, handling and management of seeds and seedlings, and it links to established seed‑testing procedures to ensure reliable, reproducible results.

Key Topics

• Scope and definitions: clear terminology (seed lot, primary/composite/subsample, seedling, purity, viability, maturity).
• Descriptive morphology: structure of Salvia miltiorrhiza seed and seedling parts (embryo, pericarp, mucilage layer; bud, tap root, lateral/fibrous roots).
• Minimum quality requirements:
  • Seeds: black or brown colour, hard texture, free of mildew; moisture ≤ 10%, purity ≥ 70%, viability ≥ 90%, maturity ≥ 90%.
  • Seedlings: healthy, intact buds and roots, no disease, no nematodes, intact tap root.
• Grading: the standard provides grading criteria for seeds based on 1 000‑seed weight, moisture content, purity and germination percentage.
• Sampling rules: sampling is aligned with ISTA rules; seedling lots and minimum sample sizes are specified (seedling sample minimum not less than 100; maximum sample lot defined).
• Test methods:
  • Moisture, purity, 1 000‑seed weight, viability (tetrazolium test), germination - referenced to ISTA International Rules for Seed Testing and ISTA working sheets.
  • Specific procedures for maturity assessment, fungus testing (sample preparation, incubation, Alternaria and Fusarium tests) and nematode testing.
• Quality management: requirements for test reporting, packaging, storage, transportation and marking.

Applications

ISO 20311:2017 is practical for:

• Seed producers and nurseries producing Salvia miltiorrhiza seeds and seedlings.
• Quality-control and seed-testing laboratories performing germination, viability and health assays.
• Herbal medicine manufacturers and TCM growers ensuring consistent raw material quality.
• Certification bodies and regulators setting procurement or trade specifications for Salvia miltiorrhiza seed lots.

Using ISO 20311 helps reduce variability in seed performance, supports traceable sampling/testing, and improves crop establishment and supply‑chain confidence for TCM raw materials.

Related Standards

• International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) - International Rules for Seed Testing (normative reference).
• ISTA - Working Sheets on Tetrazolium testing (viability assessment).

Keywords: ISO 20311:2017, Salvia miltiorrhiza seeds, Salvia miltiorrhiza seedlings, Traditional Chinese medicine, seed testing, seed quality, germination, ISTA.