| Botanical Identity | Confirm that the seed is Lagenaria siceraria, commonly known as bottle gourd or calabash. | Correct species identification helps prevent substitution with other cucurbit crops or unsuitable local types. | Botanical name, variety description, seed label, and a representative product sample. |
| Germination Rate | Use a purchase specification of at least 85% germination unless the destination-market regulation or contract requires a higher level. | Higher and more consistent germination improves plant population and reduces replanting costs. | Recent lot-specific laboratory test report showing test method, test date, lot number, and result. |
| Physical Purity | Set a commercial target of at least 98% pure seed, subject to the applicable legal standard and contract terms. | Good purity limits inert matter, weed seeds, broken seeds, and unintended crop seeds. | Purity analysis, visual inspection of a retained sample, and agreed acceptance tolerances. |
| Seed Moisture | A practical storage target is approximately 6%–8% moisture, with the final limit confirmed by the seed contract and test report. | Excess moisture can accelerate deterioration, mold growth, and loss of germination during transport or storage. | Moisture test result, packaging specification, and storage-condition instructions. |
| Variety and Fruit Type | Choose the required fruit form, such as long, round, bottle-shaped, light-green, dark-green, tender, or mature-fruit type. | Fruit shape, skin color, size, and tenderness determine market suitability and customer acceptance. | Variety profile, production photographs, reference samples, and written trait specifications. |
| Maturity Information | Require stated days to maturity or harvest window under defined growing conditions rather than relying on an unspecified “early” or “high-yield” claim. | Maturity timing affects crop scheduling, labor planning, and supply continuity. | Technical data sheet identifying whether timing is measured from sowing or transplanting. |
| Seed Vigor and Uniformity | Request consistent seed size, appearance, emergence, and seedling strength across the supplied lot. | Uniform emergence supports even crop management and more predictable harvesting. | Small trial order, controlled germination test, and side-by-side field evaluation before a large purchase. |
| Seed Treatment Disclosure | Clearly classify the lot as untreated, conventionally treated, or otherwise treated; disclose the active ingredient and treatment rate where applicable. | Treatment status affects import clearance, worker safety, organic-market eligibility, and planting instructions. | Treatment declaration, safety information, label wording, and confirmation that treatment is legal in the destination market. |
| Health and Phytosanitary Compliance | The shipment must meet the importing country’s plant-health, quarantine, labeling, and seed-import requirements. | Non-compliant seed may be delayed, rejected, destroyed, or subject to additional inspection costs. | Phytosanitary certificate when required, health declaration, packing list, invoice, and destination-country import documents. |
| Lot Traceability | Every bag or carton should identify the lot number, crop, variety, net weight, packing date, and applicable test information. | Traceability supports quality claims, complaint handling, recalls, and repeat purchasing of the same specification. | Photographs of labels, batch records, packing records, and a written lot-retention policy. |
| Testing Method and Laboratory | Prefer testing performed by a qualified independent or recognized laboratory using an applicable national or international seed-testing method. | A transparent method makes supplier results easier to compare and verify. | Laboratory name, accreditation or qualification details, sampling date, method, and original report number. |
| Packaging and Storage | Use sealed, moisture-resistant packaging with clear labels; protect seed from heat, sunlight, condensation, and mechanical damage. | Good packaging helps preserve viability through international transport and warehouse storage. | Packaging material specification, carton markings, storage instructions, and shipping-condition requirements. |
| Shelf-Life and Retest Policy | Prefer recently tested lots and require retesting or replacement terms if germination falls below the agreed specification before planting. | Seed quality can decline over time, especially when exposed to high temperature or humidity. | Packing date, test date, recommended storage period, warranty terms, and complaint procedure. |
| Minimum Order and Supply Capacity | Confirm minimum order quantity, available lot size, production lead time, seasonal availability, and capacity for repeat orders. | Reliable volume and consistent specifications are essential for wholesale distribution and contract growing. | Formal quotation, production schedule, lead-time commitment, and sample-to-bulk consistency clause. |
| Sample and Pre-Shipment Approval | Approve a representative sample before bulk production or shipment, and retain a sealed reference sample from the approved lot. | Pre-shipment approval reduces the risk of receiving seed that differs from the tested or advertised specification. | Signed specification sheet, sample approval record, retained sample, and inspection or dispute terms. |