Code of Vermont Rules
Agency 20 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND MARKETS
Sub-Agency 031 - PLANT INDUSTRY DIVISION
Chapter 003 - SEED CERTIFICATION REGULATIONS
Section 20 031 003 - SEED CERTIFICATION REGULATIONS

Universal Citation: VT Code of Rules 20 031 003

Current through August, 2024

INTRODUCTION

While many farmers will concede that certain aspects of their industry involve taking a gamble, the selection of seed need not fall among that group of risks.

By choosing certified seed for planting, the purchaser is assured that certain standards for production have been met. Certification is a means by which the genetic purity of a crop variety is maintained. To become certified, the seed crop must meet standards of pedigree, isolation from similar crops, freedom from certain weeds, backed by field inspections, and laboratory tests.

The Vermont Legislature authorized the Commissioner of Agriculture to provide a seed certification program to the people of the state. Standards are approved by the Director of the Vermont Agricultural E xperiment Station.

By applying for and following procedures established for a respective crop, applicants may become involved in this program.

The Vermont standards are higher than the minimum standards established by the International Crop Improvement Association and are equivalent to the standards in other states and should be acceptable outside the state.

GENERAL SEED CERTIFICATION STANDARDS

A. Type of Certifying Organization

Under the power authorized by 6 V.S.A., Sections 611 to 618 inclusive, the Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Agriculture is empowered to promulgate such rules and regulations as deemed necessary regarding the growing and grading of certified seed, subject to the approval of the Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station. The Vermont Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station has been designated as the Certifying Agency in Vermont.

B. Purpose of Certification

The purpose of seed certification is to maintain and make available to the public, high quality seeds and propagating materials of superior crop plant varieties so grown and distributed as to insure genetic identity. Only those varieties that contain superior germ plasm are eligible for certification. Certified seed is high in varietal purity and of good seeding value. Varieties eligible for certification may have been in use for some years, or they may have been produced recently through scientific plant breeding or selection. In either case there is danger of their loss through ordinary handling without a planned method of production that is consistently carried forward. Seed certification is such a plan.

Varietal purity is the first consideration in seed certification, but other factors such as weed and disease control, high viability, cleaning, and grading are also important in the seed certification program. Seed certification is designed, therefore, to maintain not only the genetic purity of superior crop varieties, but also reasonable standards of seed condition that insure, insofar as it can be insured, satisfactory performance of that resultant crop.

C. Eligibility Requirements for Certification of Varieties

1. General Requirements - The certifying agency may require the applicant for crop seed certification to make the following available when eligibility for certification is requested.

a. The name of the variety.

b. A statement concerning the variety's origin.

c. A detailed description of the morphological, physiological, and other characteristics of the plants and seed that distinguish it from other varieties.

d. Evidence supporting the identity of the variety, such as comparative yield data, insect and disease resistance, or other factors supporting the identity of the variety.

e. A statement delineating the geographic area or areas of adaptation of the variety.

f. A statement of the plans and procedures for the maintenance of seed classes, including the number of generations through which the variety may be multiplied.

g. A description of the manner in which the variety is constituted when a particular cycle of reproduction or multiplication is specified.

h. Any additional restrictions on the variety, specified by the breeder, with respect to geographic area of seed production, age of stand or other factors affecting genetic purity.

i. A sample of seed representative of the variety as marketed. Certification is limited to those crop varieties approved by the Vermont Certifying Agency.

2. Individual Crop Standards - In addition to (1) General Requirements, additional crop standards may be required as indicated in the individual standards outlined in these seed certification regulations.

D. Restrictions of Number of Varieties Per Farm

Only one variety of the same crop with indistinguishable seed shall be grown for seed production without prior approval of the certifying agency.

E. Classes and Sources of Certified Seed

Four classes of seed shall be recognized in seed certification--Breeder, Foundation, Registered, and Certified. These classes are defined as follows:

1. Breeder Seed - A class of certified seed directly controlled by the originating or sponsoring plant breeding institution or person, and is the source for the production of seed of the other classes of certified seed.

2. Foundation Seed - A class of certified seed which is the progeny of Breeder or Foundation seed and is produced and handled using procedures established by the seed certifying agency to ensure that the genetic purity and identity of the class is maintained.

3. Registered Seed - A class of certified seed which is the progeny of Breeder or Foundation seed and is produced and handled using procedures established by the seed certifying agency to ensure that the genetic purity and identity of the class is maintained.

4. Certified Seed - A class of certified seed which is the progeny of Breeder, Foundation, or Registered seed, and is produced and handled using procedures established by the seed certifying agency to ensure that the genetic purity and identity of the class is maintained. Certified seed is the class of seed distributed primarily for general farm use in the growing of crops.

F. Requirements of Certifying Agency for Training Seed Producers

1. The Seed Certification Service through publications, personal contact, schools, and other educational media shall aid growers in their understanding of the production and seed processing activities necessary to meet the requirements for certification.

2. Growers who intend to qualify as certified seed producers should have a sympathetic interest in the production of high quality seed, should have adequate acreage of suitable fertility, and the necessary equipment for proper production, processing, storing, and merchandizing of the seed crop. The integrity of the grower should be such that the product he distributes under the blue certification tag meets every requirement for certified seed.

G. Handling of Crop Prior to Inspection

Roguing of off-type plants, objectionable crop plants, and weeds is required prior to field inspection. Field boundaries shall also be designated prior to field inspection.

"Off-type" means a plant or seed which deviates in one or more characteristics from that which is described as being usual for the strain or variety.

H. E stablishing the Source of the Seed

In order to establish the source of seed used for the production of Foundation, Registered or Certified seed the grower shall furnish documentary evidence to the Certifying Agency at the time of making application for field inspection. The documentary evidence shall consist of either a certification tag from a bag of seed planted, a signed affidavit giving the certification number or the seed lot number, or a sales record. This requirement shall apply whether the grower purchases eligible planting stock from another person or uses eligible seed of his own production.

I. Qualifications for Inspectors

Inspectors involved in the seed certification program shall be performed only by qualified inspectors. Any training required of inspectors to meet standards shall be under the supervision of the state's director to the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies or the College of Agriculture.

J. Management of Fields Under Consideration for Certification

1. Each field for which certification is requested shall show evidence of good management in addition to the specific standards established for individual crops. Reasonable precautions shall be taken to control contaminating crops, off-types, and objectionable weeds. Disease and insect control shall also be carried out with reasonable judgment. Any regulations concerning pesticide applications during the blossoming period of alfalfa and trefoil shall be in effect as stated in the Vermont Regulations for the Control of Pesticides.

2. 6 V.S.A. Section 662 defines the following as noxious weeds in Vermont:

PROHIBITED NOXIOUS-WEED SEEDS	RESTRICTED NOXIOUS-WEED SEEDS
Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)	Dodder (Cuscuta spp.)
Quackgrass (Agropyron repens)	Horsenettle
(Solanum carolinense)
Canada thistle (Cirsium arvensis)	Wild Mustard (Brassica spp.)
Bedstraw (Galium spp.)	Wild Onion (Allium spp.)
Wild Radish
(Raphanus raphanistrum)
Sowthistle
(Sonchus arvensis)
Corncockle
(Agrostemna githago)

K. Seed-Borne Diseases

Every field for which certification is requested shall show evidence that reasonable precaution has been taken to control seed-borne diseases. The field at the time of inspection shall not contain beyond cstablished[established] tolerances of injurious seed-borne diseases which are included in the individual crop standards. The representative sample of the finished seed crop may be subjected to laboratory examination for diseases.

L. Samples and Sampling of Seed

1. A representative sample of each lot of seed as it is offered for sale shall be obtained by the Certifying Agency.

2. The sample shall be taken from and be truly representative of the entire lot of seed which has been recleaned and is in condition for sale. Such sample shall not be considered as being representative for any seed which is recleaned later.

3. Sampling procedure

(a) In order to secure a representative sample, equal portions shall be taken from evenly distributed parts of the quantity of seed to be sampled.

(b) A probe or trier long enough to sample all portions should be used for free-flowing seed in bags or in bulk.

(d) Non-free-flowing seed, such as certain grasses and other seeds difficult to sample with probe or trier, shall be sampled by thrusting the hand into the bulk and withdrawing representative portions.

(e) Bulk sampling--Bulk seeds shall be sampled by inserting a long probe or thrusting the hand into the bulk, as circumstances require, in at least seven (7) uniformly distributed parts of the quantity being sampled.

(f) Bag sampling--In quantities of 5 bags or less, each bag shall be sampled. In quantities of more than 5 bags but less than 50, at least every 5th bag, but not less than 5 bags shall be sampled. In the case of large lots of seed, sampling shall be adequate to be representative of the seed.

(g) If there appears to be a lack of uniformity, the samples shall not be combined, but shall be retained separately for laboratory analysis. If they appear uniform, they shall be blended and a final sample taken from the composite.

4. Size of sample:

(a) Small grains, oats, barley, wheat, rye - 1/2 peck.

(b) Birdsfoot trefoil, alfalfa, red clover, Ladino - 1/2 lb.

(d) Other grasses - 1 lb.

5. Second Sample:

If a proper size sample of the Certified class of seed representative of the lot contains one prohibited weed seed or fails to meet the germination requirements, the lot may be resampled by an official of the Seed Certifying Agency. If such second sample meets certification requirements, the lot in question is acceptable for certification.

M. Seed House or Bin Inspection of Seed

1. One or more inspections of harvested lots of seed from inspected fields may be made at any time by persons authorized by the seed Certifying Agency who shall have authority to recommend to the Certifying Agency the rejection for certification of any lot not properly protected from mixture or improperly identified.

2. If a field is harvested before inspection that crop automatically becomes ineligible for certification.

N. Seed Testing

1. Analyses and tests of sample of seed, and definitions of analytic terms, shall be in accordance with the rules of the Association of Official Seed Analysts.

2. Final certification is based on processed seed in condition for planting.

O. Labeling of all Classes of Certified Seed

1. All seed stocks, when sold as Certified seed, shall have an official tag properly affixed to each container. Sealing requirements will depend upon the crop and methods of handling.

2. The official seed certification tag attached to the bag shall clearly show the class of Certified seed contained therein; e.g., Foundation, Registered or Certified.

(a) The regular blue certification tag shall be used to identify Registered and Certified seed. The word "Registered" shall be imprinted on the regular certification tag if the seed meets the requirements for the Registered seed class.

(b) Substandard seed as described in Section "P" below may be labeled with green certification tags provided they meet minimum "green tag" certification standards. The "green tag" shall indicate that the seed does not meet regular certification standards. Green tags may be used for any class of seed and for any crop for which "green tag" tandards[standards] have been promulgated. "Green tag" standards shall be promulgated and shall be applied in the same manner as regular Certified standards.

(c) In the case of seed sold in bulk, the invoice or accompanying document shall identify the Certifying Agency, the crop kind, variety (if certified as to variety), class of seed, and any identifying number.

3. A sealing device which cannot be removed and reattached is added protection to the final planter or consumer that seed received is that originally Certified.

4. All official certification tags and seals must be secured from the Vermont Department of Agriculture and must be affixed to the seed containers, either by the grower or a representative of the Certifying Agency, depending on the circumstances involved.

P. Substandard Seed

It is recognized that certain lots of seed that may be desirable for the advancement of crop improvement would be lost if regular certification standards are adhered to. Therefore, under such circumstances, seed failing to meet certification standards other than those affecting genetic purity may be certified, provided there is no injury to the reputation of certified seed. The certification tag attached to such seed shall clearly show the respects in which the seed does not meet the regular certification standards.

Q. Complying with Federal and State Seed Laws

Responsibility for any obligations relating to proper labeling of seed, other than those concerned with certification, (e.g., proper techniques in establishing genetic identity of seed) arising from the sale or shipment of seed which has been certified rests with the grower or subsequent handler making the sale or shipmemt.

R. Seed Held Over

Seed held over more than nine months beyond the original date of certification shall not be recognized as Certified. However, it shall be eligible for re-certification, provided a representative sample of regular size be submitted which meets the current certification requirements.

S. Processors and Processing of All Classes of Certified Seed

The following requirements must be met by processors of all classes of certified seed:

a. Facilities shall be available to perform processing without introducing admixtures.

b. Identity of the seed must be maintained at all times.

c. Growers are required to report to the Seed Certification Service where and by whom their seed were cleaned.

d. Processors shall permit inspection by the certifying agency of all records pertaining to all classes of certified seed.

e. Processors shall designate an individual who shall be responsible to the certifying agency for performing such duties as may be required by the certifying agency.

f. Seed lots of the same variety and class may be blended and the class retained. If lots of different classes are blended, the lowest class shall be applied to the resultant blend. Such blending can only be done when authorized by the certifying agency.

T. Interagency Certification

Interagency certification may be accomplished by participation of more than one official certification agency by mutual agreement of those agencies and the applicant for seed certification. Agreements shall be in writing and signed by involved parties.

a. The certifying agency issuing labels for all classes of certified seed shall require the seed on which the labels are used to meet standards at least equal to the minimum genetic standards for the seed in question as specified in Table 5, Part 201 - Federal Seed Act Regulations, Reprinted September, 1975.

b. Seed to be recognized for interagency certification must be received in containers carrying official certification labels, or if shipped for processing, evidence of its eligibility from another official certifying agency, together with the following information:

1. Variety (if certified as to variety) and kind;

2. Quantity of seed (pounds or bushels);

3. Class of certified seed;

4. Inspection or lot number traceable to the previous certifying agency's record.

c. Each label used in interagency certification shall be serially numbered or carry the certification identity number and clearly identify the certifying agencies involved, and the variety (if certified as to variety), kind and class of certified seed.

CROP VARIETIES ELIGIBLE FOR CERTIFICATION

Crop	Varieties
Oats	- ** Orbit, * Niagara, * Russell, * Tioga,
* Garry, * Rodney, and * Penfield
Barley, Spring	- Erie *
Wheat, Winter	- Red-coat , and Avon
Rye	- Balbo
Birdsfoot trefoil	- Empire , Viking, and * Mansfield
Crownvetch	- * Chemung
Timothy	- Climax , and * Essex
Alfalfa	- Cayuga , Narragansett, and * Vernal
Sod (pure stand)	- Merion, Windsor, Pennstar, and Fylking Blue-
Turfgrass	grass; Illahee and Pennlawn Red Fescue; and
Pencross, Seaside, and Astoria Bentgrass
# Sod (mixture)	- Sunny mixture - 60 -75% Kentucky Bluegrass
Turfgrass	40 -25% Red Fescue
Shady mixture - 60 -75% Red Fescue
40 -25% Kentucky Bluegrass

* Seed production fields must be planted with Foundation or Registered seed to be eligible for growing of Certified seed.

** Seed production fields must be planted with Foundation seed to be eligible for growing of Certified seed.

# Mixtures must contain two or more named varieties --shady mixtures may not include Merion.

New varieties may be added to this list upon special request to the Seed Certification Agency, Montpelier, Vermont 05602, by providing the information under C.1. - General Requirements, Parts a., b., and c.

SMALL GRAIN SEED CERTIFICATION STANDARDS

I. Application and Amplification of General Certification Standards

A. The General Seed Certification Standards as given in this publication are basic and together with the following specific standards constitute the standards for the certification of small grain.

B. The certification of seed will be limited to a maximum of two (2) generations from Foundation or Canadian Registered First Generation seed except varieties for which no Foundation seed is maintained. The two generations of seed shall be Registered and Certified for which no Foundation seed is maintained.

II. Land Requirements

A. A crop of small grain will not be eligible for certification if planted on land upon which the same kind of crop was grown the year previous, unless the previous crop was grown from Certified seed of the same variety.

III. Field Inspection

A. An inspector of the Certifying Agency shall make at least one field inspection of each field entered for certification.

B. Field inspection shall be made after the crop is fully headed when varietal or crop mixtures can be determined.

C. The inspector shall cross the field sufficiently to evaluate accurately the factors affecting the eligibility for certification.

IV. Field Standards

A. General

1. Unit of Certification

The field shall be considered the unit for certification. A field cannot be divided for purposes of certification unless a satisfactory boundary exists. A strip of ground at least 10 feet or 2 drill widths wide which is either mowed, uncropped or planted to some crop other than a small grain crop shall constitute a field boundary for the purpose of growing Certified seed.

2. Isolation

A field producing either Foundation or Registered seed being grown from seed which has been hot-water treated for the control of loose smut shall beisolated at least 20 rods from other fields of the same crop which are not planted to hot-water treated seed.

A rye field for the production of Certified seed must be isolated at least 40 rods from fields of any other variety of rye or fields of the same variety not meeting varietal purity requirements for certification.

B. Specific Requirements

Maximum permitted in each class
Factor	Foundation	Registered	Certified
Other varieties n1	None	0.05%	0.10%
Inseparable other crops n2	None	3 plants	6 plants
Objectionable weeds whose seeds	per acre	per acre
are inseparable n3	None	None	None
Seed-borne diseases:
1. Bunt or stinking smut of
wheat	0.001%	0.01%	0.10%
2. Total seed-borne diseases.	0.001%	0.05%	0.25%
Dwarf bunt in wheat	None	None	None

n1 Other varieties shall be considered to include off-type plants not typical of the variety that can be differentiated from the variety that is being inspected.

n2 Inseparable other crops shall include crop plants, seed of which cannot be thoroughly removed by the usual methods of cleaning. Certified wheat seed shall be free of vetch and rye seeds. Certified rye seed shall be free of vetch.

n3 Objectionable weeds which are inseparable include: corn cockle and wild onion in Certified wheat and rye seed.

V. Seed Standards

(A) Foundation seed

Factor	Barley	Wheat	Oats
Pure seed (minimum)	99.70%	98.00%	99.00%
Weed seeds (maximum)	1 per lb	1 per lb	1 per lb
Objectionable weed seeds
(maximum) n3	None	None	None
Inert matter (maximum)
1. Chaff, straw and other
material not seeds	0.15%	0.15%	0.15%
2. Sprouted kernels and broken
kernels 1/2 size or less	0.20%	2.00%	1.00%
3. Total of 1 and 2	0.30%	2.00%	1.00%
Seeds of other cultivated
plants n8	None	None	None
Mixture of other varieties	None	None	None
Germination (minimum)	80%	80%	80%

(B) Registered Seed n1

Factor	Oats	Barley	Wheat
Pure seed (Minimum)	99.70%	98.00%	99.00%
Weed seeds (maximum)	5 per lb	5 per lb	5 per lb
Objectionable weed seeds
(maximum) n3	None	None	None
Inert matter (maximum)
1. Chaff, straw and other
materials not seeds	0.15%	0.15%	0.15%
2. Sprouted kernels & broken
kernels 1/2 size or less	0.20%	2.00%	1.00%
3. Total of 1 and 2	0.30%	2.00%	1.00%
Seeds of other cultivated
plants (maximum) n8	1 in 4 lbs	1 in 4 lbs	1 in 4 lbs
Mixtures of other varieties	None	None	None
Germination (minimum)	90%	90%	90%

n1 Registered seed must be treated with a recommended fungicide for the control of seed-borne diseases before it is considered fully processed and ready for sale.

Factor	Oats	Barley	Wheat	Rye
Pure seed (minimum) n2	99.50%	98.00%	99.00% n5	99.00%
Weed seeds (maximum) n3	0.03%	0.03%	0.02%	0.03%
Objectionable weeds	None	None	None	None
Inert matter: (maximum)
1. Chaff, straw and other
material not seeds	0.15%	0.15%	0.15%	0.15%
2. Sprouted kernels and
broken kernels 1/2 size
or less	0.20%	2.00%	1.00%	1.00%
3. Total of 1 and 2	0.30%	2.00%	1.00%	1.00%
Seeds of other cultivated
plants (Maximum) n8	5 per lb	5 per lb	5 per lb n4	5 per lb n4
Other varieties (maximum)	10 per lb	10 per lb	10 per lb n5	10 per lb
Germination (minimum) n1	90%	90%	90%	90%
Weight per bushel (minimum)
n1 & n6	30 lbs	46 lbs n7	56 lbs	54 lbs

n1 Seed meeting all requirements for certification except germination and/or weight per bushel is eligible for certification and tagging with the "Green" certification tag providing:

(a) The germination is not below 80 percent, and

(b) The weight per bushel is not lower than 3 lbs. under the minimum weight for the regular grade of Certified seed.

n2 The allowance of all weed seeds in Certified seed shall not exceed (15) seeds per lb. of grain in oats and barley, and (10) per lb. in wheat.

n3 Weeds considered as objectionable are quack grass (Agropyron repens), crab grass (Digitaria spp.), wild mustard (Brassica arvensis), and other wild Brassica species; Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), corn cockle (Agrostemma spp.) docks (Rumex spp.) dodder (Cuscuta spp.), bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), horse nettle (Solanum carolinense), wild onion (Allium spp.), sow thistle (Sonchus arvensis) and wild radish (Raphanusraphanistrum).

n4 Certified seed wheat must be free from vetch and rye seeds. Certified rye seed must be free from vetch seeds.

n5 Variations which are typical of the variety shall not be included as other varieties.

n6 * Seed weighing not less than two pounds under the minimum weights specified in the above table may be Certified provided the germination is 95% or higher.

* The bushel weight requirement shall not apply to seed treated by the Slurry method of fungicide treatment, providing a sample of the untreated seed meets the bushel weight requirements for Certification.

n7 The minimum weight per bushel for smooth awned barleys shall be 44 pounds for Certified seed.

n8 Except where the contaminating cultivated plants are of a different growing season, in which case the maximum amount allowable shall be two (2) seeds per pound for Foundation seed, five (5) seeds per pound for Registered seed and ten (10) seeds per pound for Certified seed.

BIRDSFOOT TREFOIL SEED CERTIFICATION STANDARDS

I. Application and Amplification of General Certification Standards

A. The General Seed Certification Standards as given in this publication are basic and together with the following specific standards constitute the standards for certification of Birdsfoot Trefoil seed.

B. Section E of the General Standards is amplified as follows to apply specifically to Birdsfoot trefoil seed:

Section E. Classes and Sources of Certified Seed

1. The region of adaptation of Mansfield Birdsfoot trefoil shall be the State of Vermont and all other states and portions thereof located between the Canadian boundary and the 40th parallel except in the extreme West where the southern boundary shall be the California-Oregon State line.

2. When a variety is grown outside its designated region of adaptation, certification shall be limited to one generation from Foundation or Registered seed. The class thus produced shall be the Certified class.

3. When a variety is grown within its area of adaptation (State of Vermont) certification shall be limited to two generations of increase from Foundation seed. The two generations shall be (1) Registered, and (2) Certified. Registered seed shall be the increase from Foundation. Certification is limited to one generation increase from Registered seed which shall be the Certified seed class. Fields planted with Certified seed shall not be eligible for the growing of Certified seed.

II. Land Requirements

A. Foundation seed for the production of Registered seed shall be planted on land on which no Birdsfoot trefoil except the same variety and class of Certified seed was grown or planted during the five years prior to the one in which the present stand was planted. During one of the intervening years, the land shall have been in a cultivated crop and the land shall be free from volunteer plants. No manure or other contaminating amendments shall be applied during established and productive life of stand.

B. Registered or Foundation seed for the production of Certified seed shall be planted on land on which no Birdsfoot trefoil, except seed of the same variety which is eligible for certification, has been grown or planted during the three years prior to the one in which the present stand was planted. During one of the intervening years the land shall have been in a cultivated crop and the land must be free from volunteer plants. No manure or other contaminating amendments shall be applied during established and productive life of stand.

III. Field Inspection

A. An inspection will be made when the variety is identifiable and before harvesting.

B. Each grower shall cause to be on file with the Certifying Agency a farm map showing separate fields, properly identified, together with a record of each field, showing date of planting, seed used, and other pertinent information for fields previously inspected. For fields not previously inspected, the five-year history previous to planting shall be given. Each grower must keep a duplicate up-to-date farm map showing separate seed fields as a guide to proper identification for certification purposes and chronl-logical history of the field. The grower's copy shall be made available to the inspector. The grower's copy of the farm map must be kept up to date as new seed fields are added or abandoned. Such information with proper "sketches of fields" shall also be transmitted to the Certifying Agency.

IV. Cleaning and Harvesting Equipment

Cleaning and harvesting equipment which is used to harvest more than one variety of seed must be thoroughly cleaned prior to operating from one named variety of seed. Such equipment is subject to inspection by the seed inspection agency or person designated by that agency and must be cleaned to their satisfaction or certification of the harvested seed will be voided.

V. Field Standards

A. General

1. A seed field shall be considered the unit for certification. A strip at least five feet in width and which is mowed, uncropped or planted to some crop other than the kind in question shall constitute a field boundary.

2. Isolation Requirements: All fields used for the production of Foundation, Registered, or Certified seed must be isolated from other strains not meeting purity requirements for Certified seed of the same species in accordance with the distances listed below:

Class	Fields of Less	Fields of 5
Than 5 Acres	Acres or More
Foundation	80 rods	80 rods
Registered	40 rods	40 rods
Certified	20 rods	10 rods
Different generation of same
variety	10 rods	10 rods

3. Volunteer plants shall be cause for rejection or reclassification of a seed field.

4. Seed fields outside the region of adaption. Certification of seed fields outside the region of adaptation of a variety shall be limited to stands not exceeding 6 years of age.

B. Specific Requirements:

Maximum permitted in each Class
Factor	Foundation	Registered	Certified
Other varieties *	0.1%	0.25%	0.5%
Sweet clover	None	None	80 per acre
Objectionable weeds whose seeds
are inseparable **	None	None	None

* Other varieties shall be considered to include off-type plants and plants that can be differentiated from the variety that is being inspected.

** Objectionable weeds are Dodder (Cuscuta spp.), and Bedstraw (Galium mollugo) and (Galium verum).

VI. Seed Standards

Class of Seed
Blue Tag	Foundation	Registered n2	Certified n3
Pure seed (minimum)	99.50%	99.25%	98.25%
Weed seeds (minimum)	0.10%	0.20%	0.25%
Objectionable weeds (maximum) n1	4 per lb.	9 per lb.	27 per lb.
Inert matter (maximum)	0.25%	0.25%	0.50%
Other crop seeds (maximum)	0.10%	0.10%	1.00%
Sweet clover (maximum)	2 per lb.	4 per lb.	90 per lb.
Germination (minimum)	45%	45%	45%
Germination and hard seed (minimum)	85%	85%	85%
or
Germination (minimum)	55%	55%	55%
Germination and hard seed	80%	80%	80%

n1 Objectionable weeds are: Bracted plantain (Plantago aristata), buckhorn plantain (Plantago lanceolata), docks (Rumex spp.), wild carrot (Daucus carota), wild mustard (Brassica arvensis) and other Brassica species, crab grass (Digitaria spp.).

Prohibited Weeds: Birdsfoot trefoil seed shall be free of seeds of the following seeds: bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), dodder (Cuscuta spp.), dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum), horsenettle (Solanum carolinense), leafy spurge (Euphorbis esula), pennycress (Thlaspi arvense), perennial sow thistle (Sonchus arvensis), Russian knapweed (Centaurea repens), white top (Lepidium draba - Hymenophysa pubescens), quackgrass (Agropyron repens), corn cockle (Agrostemma spp.), wild onion (Allium spp.) and bedstraw (Galium spp.).

n1 - 3 The Registered and Certified classes of seed meeting the genetic purity requirements for certification shall be eligible for certification and tagged with green certification tags providing the seed meets the following requirements:

Class of Seed
Green Tag	Registered	Certified
Pure Seed (minimum)	98.00%	96.00%
Weed seeds (maximum)	0.35%	0.50%
Objectionable weeds (maximum)	18 per lb.	54 per lb.
Inert matter (maximum)	1.00%	1.00%
Other crop seeds (maximum)	0.50%	4.00%
Sweet clover (maximum)	18 per lb.	180 per lb.
Germination (minimum)	40.00%	40.00%
Germintaion and hard seed (minimum)	80.00%	80.00%
or
Germination (minimum)	------	60.00%
Germination and hard seed (minimum)	------	75.00%

BROME GRASS AND TIMOTHY GRASS SEED CERTIFICATION STANDARDS

I. Application and Amplification of General Certification Standards

A. The General Seed Certification Standards as given in this publication are basic and together with the following specific standards constitute the standards for certification of grass seed.

II. Land Requirements

A. Breeder's seed for the production of Foundation seed shall be planted on land on which no seed of the same species has grown or been planted during the previous five years. Land must be free from volunteer plants.

B. Foundation or Registered seed for the production of Registered or Certified seed respectively shall be planted on land on which no seed of the same species has grown or been planted during the previous year, except for Foundation, Registered, or Certified seed of the same strain. The land shall be free from volunteer plants.

III. Field Inspection

A. A field inspection will be made when the variety is identifiable and before harvesting.

IV. Field Standards

A. General

1. A seed field shall be considered the unit for certification. A strip at least five feet in width and which is mowed, uncropped, or planted to some crop other than the kind in question shall constitute a field boundary.

2. Isolation requirement: All fields used, for the production of Foundation, Registered, or Certified seed must be isolated from other strains of the same species in accordance with the distance listed below.

MINIMUM ISOLATION DISTANCE REQUIRED
Foundation	Registered	Certified
All cross-pollinated species
(Brome grass Timothy, etc.)	80 rods	40 rods	20 rods

B. Specific Requirements

Maximum permitted in each class
Factor	Foundation	Registered	Certified
* Other varieties	0	0.25%	0.5%

* Other varieties shall be considered to include off-type plants that can be differentiated from the variety being inspected.

C. Eligible Sources of Seed

Certified seed of grasses shall not be planted for the growing of Certified seed.

Foundation seed shall be planted for the growing of Registered seed and either Foundation or Registered seed shall be planted for the growing of Certified seed.

Timothy		Bromegrass
Class of Seed		Class of Seed
Factor	Registered	Certified	Registered	Certified
Pure seed (minimum)	99.20%	99.00%	85.00%	85.00%
Weed seeds (maximum)	0.10%	0.10%	%?0.25%	0.50%
Total objectionable weeds n1	0	9 per lb.	0	9 per lb.
Inert matter (maximum)	0.50%	0.50%	15.00%	15.00%
Other crop seeds (maximum)	0.20%	0.50%	0.20%	0.50%
Germination (minimum)	85%	85%	80%	80%

Prohibited weeds are: Timothy and Brome grass seed shall be free of seeds of the following weeds: Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), dodder (Cuscuta spp.), dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum), horsenettle (Solanumcarolinense), leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), penny cress (Thlaspi arvense), perennial sow thistle (Sonchus arvensis), Russian knapweed (Centaurea repens), white top (Lepidium draba) - (Hymenophysa pubescens), quackgrass (Agropyron repens), corn cockle (Agrostemma spp.), wild onion (Allium spp.), and bedstraw (Galium spp.).

KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS SEED CERTIFICATION

I. Application and Amplification of General Certification Standards.

A. The General Seed Certification Standards as given in this publication are basic and together with the following specific standards constitute the standards for certification of grass seeds.

B. Section E (Classes and Sources of Certified Seed) of the General Standards is amplified as follows: Certified seed is the progeny of Foundation or Registered seed. Only the certified class of seed is eligible for certification by the Vermont Certifying Agency.

II. Land Requirements

Foundation or Registered seed for the production of Certified seed shall be planted on land which has not grown or been seeded to this grass during the previous three years unless the previous crop was of the same variety and passed Certification requirements.

III. Field Inspection

A field inspection will be made when the variety is identifiable and before harvesting.

IV. Field Standards

A. General

1. The field shall be considered the unit of certification. A strip at least five feet in width and which is mowed, uncropped, or planted to some other crop shall constitute a field boundary.

2. Isolation requirement: Fields for production of Certified seed shall be isolated from other strains of bluegrass by five (5) rods.

B. Specific Requirements:

Smut maximum	0.5%
Other varieties including off-type plants	1.0%

V. Seed Standards:

Factor	Certified
Pure seed (minimum)	90.00%
Weed seeds (maximum)	0.50%
Prohibited weeds n1	None
Inert matter (maximum)	10.00%
Other Crop Seeds (maximum)	0.50%
Germination (minimum)	75%

n1 Prohibited weeds are: Quack grass (Agropyron repens), wild mustard (Brassica arvensis), and other wild mustard species, Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), dodder (Cuscuta spp.), crabgrasses (Digitaria spp.), docks (Rumex spp.), and bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis).

CROWNVETCH SEED CERTIFICATION STANDARDS

I. Application and Amplification of General Certification Standards

A. The General Seed Certification Standards, as given in this publication and as adopted by the International Crop Improvement Association, are basic and together with the following specific standards constitute the standards for certification of crownvetch.

B. The General Standards are amplified as follows to apply specifically to crownvetch seed:

(1) Section E. Classes and Sources of Certified Seed

(a) When a variety is grown outside its designated region of adaptation, certification shall be limited to one generation from foundation seed or registered seed. The seed produced shall be the certified class.

(b) When a variety is grown outside its designated region of adaptation, certification shall be limited to three generations of increase from breeder seed. The three generations shall be:

(1) Foundation,

(2) Registered, and

(3) Certified.

(c) The region of adaptation of crownvetch varieties shall be that recommended by the plant breeders and approved by the Agriculture Research Service, U.S.D.A., or similar research in Canada.

II. Land Requirements

A. Breeder seed for the production of foundation seed shall be planted on land on which no crownvetch was grown or planted previously. During the year immediately prior to seeding, the land shall have been in a cultivated crop or fallow and the land shall be free from volunteer plants as determined by field inspection during the season in which the seeding is established. No manure or other contaminating ammendments shall be applied during established productive life of the stand.

B. Foundation seed for the production of registered seed shall be planted on land on which no crownvetch was grown or planted previously. During the year immediately prior to seeding, the land shall have been in a cultivated crop or fallow and the land shall be free from volunteer plants as determined by field inspection during the season in which the seeding is established. No manure or other contamination amendments shall be applied during established and productive life of the stand.

C. Registered seed for the production of certified seed shall be planted on land on which no other variety or strain of crownvetch has been grown or planted during the five (5) years prior to the one in which the present stand was planted. During the year immediately prior to seeding, the land shall have been in a cultivated crop or fallow and the land must be free from volunteer plants as determined by field inspection during the season in which the secding is established. No manure or other contaminating amendments shall be applied during established and productive life of the stand.

III. Field Inspection

At least one field inspection shall be made for each seed crop that is to be certified, preferably at blossom time.

IV. Field Standards

A. General

(1) A seed field shall be considered the unit for certification. A strip at least five (5) feet in width and which is mowed, uncropped or planted to some crop other than the kind in question shall constitute a field boundary.

(2) Seed fields outside region of adaptation: Certification of seed fields outside the region of adaptation of a variety shall be limited to stands not exceeding six years of age.

(3) Isolation: All fields used for the production of foundation, registered, or certified seed must be isolated from other strains of the same species or fields of the same variety not meeting varietal purity requirements for certification in accordance with the distance listed below:

Fields of Less	Fields of Five
Class	Than Five Acres	Acres or More
Foundation	80 rods	80 rods
Registered	40 rods	20 rods
Certified	20 rods	10 rods
Between different seed classes of
the same variety	10 rods	10 rods

B. Specific Requirements

Maximum Permitted in each Class
Factor	Foundation	Registered	Certified
Other varieties *	0.1%	0.25%	1.0%
Sweet Clover	None	None	80 plants
per acre
Objectionable weeds whose
seeds are inseparable **	None	None	None

* Other varieties shall be considered to include off-type plants and plants that can be differentiated from the variety that is being inspected.

** Objectionable weeds whose seeds are inseparable are Dodder (Cuscuta spp.), and Bedstraw (Galium aparine), (Galium mollugo, and (Galiumverum).

V. Seed Standards

Standards for each class
Factor	Foundation	Registered	Certified
Pure seed (minimum)	95.0%	95.0%	95.0%
Total weed seeds (maximum)	0.10%	0.20%	0.50%
Objectionable weeds (maximum) *	27 per lb.	45 per lb.	90 per lb.
Total inert matter (maximum)	5.0%	5.0%	5.0%
Total other crop seeds--
Including other varieties (maximum)	0.10%	0.10%	1.0%
Sweet clover (maximum)	None	27 per lb.	90 per lb.
Germinable seed (minimum)	35.0%	35.0%	35.0%
Total germination and hard seed
(minimum)	65.0%	65.0%	65.0%

* Bracted plantain (Plantago aristata); buckhorn plantain (Pantago lanceolata); docks: curly (Rumex crispus), bitter (R. obtusifolius), green (R. conglomeratus), smooth (R. altissimus); wild carrot (Daucus carota); sorrel (Rumex acetosella); wild mustard (Brassica arvensis) and other Brassica species, and crabgrass (Digitaria spp.)

Crownvetch seed shall be free of seeds of the following weeds: Bedstraw (Galium, spp.); bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis); Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense); dodder (Cuscuta spp.); dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum); horsenettle (Solanum carolinense); leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula); pennycress (Thlaspi arvense); perennial sow thistle (Sonchus arvensis); Russian knapweed (Centaurea repens); white top (Lepidium draba, Hymenophysa pubescens), and quackgrass (Agropyron repens).

ALFALFA SEED CERTIFICATION STANDARDS

I. Application and Amplification of General Certification Standards

A. The General Seed Certification Standards as given in this publication are basic and together with the following specific standards constitute thestandards for Certification of alfalfa seed.

B. Section E of the General Standards is amplified as follows to apply specifically to alfalfa seed.

Section E. Classes and Sources of Certified Seed

1. The region of adaptation for seed production of a given variety shall be that recommended by the originating plant breeder and, in the United States, meeting the requirements of the National Certified Alfalfa Variety Review Board.

2. When a variety is grown within its designated region of adaptation, certification shall be limited to a maximum of three generations. The three generations shall be:

(1) Foundation;

(2) Registered; and

(3) Certified.

3. When a variety is grown outside its designated region of adaptation, certification shall be limited to one generation, which shall be Certified class, or as specified by the originating plant breeder.

II. Land Requirements

A. Breeder seed for the production of Foundation seed shall be planted on land on which no alfalfa was grown or planted during the four (4) years prior to the one in which the present stand was planted. The land must be free from volunteer plants as determined by field inspection during the season in which the seeding is established. As an additional precaution, no manure or other contamination amendments shall be applied during the establishment and productive period of the stand.

B. Foundation seed for the production of Registered seed shall be planted on land on which no alfalfa was grown or planted during the three (3) years prior to the one in which the present stand was planted. The land must be free from volunteer plants as determined by field inspection during the season in which the seeding is established. As an additional precaution, no manure or other contaminating amendments shall be applied during the establishment and productive period of the stand.

C. Registered seed for the production of Certified seed shall be planted on land on which no alfalfa was grown or planted during the year prior to the one in which the present stand was planted. The land must be free from volunteer plants as determined by field inspection during the season in which the seeding is established. As an additional precaution, no manure or other contaminating amendments shall be applied during the establishment and productive period of the stand.

III. Field Inspection

A. A field inspection shall be made each year at the time the seed crop is in bloom.

B. Each grower shall cause to be on file with the Certifying Agency a farm map showing separate fields, properly identified, together with a record of each field, showing date of planting, seed used, and other pertinent information for fields previously inspected. For fields not previously inspected, the five-year history previous to planting shall be given. Each grower must keep a duplicate up-to-date farm map showing separate seed fields as a guide to proper identification for certification purposes and chrono-logical history of the fields. The grower's copy shall be made available to the inspector. The grower's copy of the farm map must be kept up-to-date as new seed fields are added or abandoned. Such information with proper "Sketches of fields" shall also be transmitted to the Certifying Agency.

IV. Cleaning and Harvesting Equipment

Cleaning and harvesting equipment which is used to harvest more than one variety of seed must be thoroughly cleaned prior to operating from one named variety of seed to another named variety of seed. Such equipment is subject to inspection by the seed inspection agency or person designated by that agency and must be cleaned to their satisfaction or certification of the harvested seed will be voided.

V. Field Standards

A. General

1. Unit of certification: A seed field shall be considered the unit for certification. A strip at least (5) feet in width and which is mowed, uncropped, or planted to some crop other than the kind in question shall constitute a field boundary. A portion of a field may be certified if the areato be certified is clearly defined.

2. Isolation: A field producing Foundation, Registered, or Certified seed must have the minimum isolation distance from fields of any other variety or fields of the same variety that do not meet the varietal purity requirements for certification, as given in the following table:

Fields of Less	Fields of Five
Class	Than Five Acres	Acres or More
Foundation	80 rods	80 rods
Registered	40 rods	20 rods
Certified	20 rods	10 rods
Between different seed classes of same
variety except Certified class on non-
hardy Southwest varieties	10 rods	10 rods

3. Volunteer plants: Volunteer plants shall be cause for rejection or re-classification of a seed field.

4. Seed fields outside region of adaptation: Certification of seed fields outside regions of adaptation of a variety shall be limited to stands not exceeding six (6) years of age.

B. Specific Requirements

Maximum Permitted in Each Class
Factor	Foundation	Registered	Certified
Other varieties *	0.1%	0.25%	0.5%
Sweet clover	None	None	80 per
acre

* Other varieties shall be considered to include off-type plants and plants that can be differentiated from the variety that is being inspected.

VI. Seed Standards

Class of Seed
Blue Tag	Foundation	Registered	Certified
Pure seed (minimum)	99.00%	99.00%	99.00%
Weed seeds (maximum)	0.10%	0.20%	0.25%
Objectionable weeds (maximum) n1	None	None	None
Inert matter (maximum)	1.0%	1.0%	1.0%
Other crop seeds (maximum)	0.10%	0.10%	0.50%
Sweet clover (maximum)	2 per lb.	4 per lb.	90 per lb
Total of germination and hard seed
(minimum)	80%	80%	80%

n1 Objectionable weeds are: Bracted plantain (Plantago aristata), buckhorn plantain (Plantago lanceolata), docks (Rumexspp.), wild carrot (Daucus carota), wild mustard (Brassica arvensis) and other Brassica species, and giant foxtail (Setaria faberii).

Prohibited weeds: Alfalfa seed shall be free of seeds of the following weeds: bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), dodder (Cuscuta spp.), dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum), horsenettle (Solanum carolinense), Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense), leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula, pennycress (Thlaspi arvense), Russian knapweed (Centaurea repens), white top (Lepidium draba), (Lepidum repens), (Hymenophysa pubescens), bedstraw (Gallium spp.), perennial sow thistle (Sonchus arvensis), quackgrass (Agropyron repens), corn cockle (Agrostemma githago), and wild onion (Allium spp.).

SOYBEAN SEED CERTIFICATION STANDARDS

I. Application and Amplification of General Certification Standards

A. The General Seed Certification Standards, as given in this publication (adopted by the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies) are basic and together with the following specific standards constitute the standards for certification of soybean seed.

II. Land Requirements

A. A crop will not be eligible for certification if planted on land on which soybeans were grown the previous year unless the seed was of the same or higher class and variety.

III. Field Inspection

A. One or more field inspections shall be made by the certifying agency when varietal characteristics can be determined. At least one inspection shall be made after the leaves have fallen.

IV. Field Standards

A. General

1. The field shall be the unit considered for certification, but a portion of the field may be approved for certification provided the remainder is harvested separately and the seed is eliminated from certification. Any unit approved for certification shall be bounded by a strip of land at least five (5) feet in width not growing soybeans.

B. Specific Requirements

Maximum Permitted in Each Class - Ratio of Plants
Factors	Foundation	Registered	Certified
Other Varieties n1	1:1000	1:500	1:200
Corn plants bearing seed	None	None	2 plants per acre

n1 Other varieties shall be considered to include off-type plants and plants that can be differentiated from the variety being inspected.

V. Seed Standards

Factor	Foundation	Registered	Certified
Pure seed (minimum)	99.00%	97.00%	97.00%
Total other crop seeds
Other kinds (excluding corn) (maximum)	1 per lb	3 per lb	3 per lb
Corn seed (maximum)	None	None	1 per lb
Other distinguishable varieties (max) n1	0.10%	0.20%	0.50%
Total weed seed (maximum) n2	0.05%	0.05%	0.05%
Objectionable weed seed (maximum) n3	None	None	None
Total inert matter (maximum)	1.00%	3.00%	3.00%
Germination and Hard seed (minimum)	80.00%	80.00%	80.00%
Moisture (maximum)	14.00%	14.00%	14.00%

n1 Off-colored beans due to environmental factors shall not be considered other varieties. Other distinguishable varieties shall be considered to include off-type seeds that can be differentiated from the variety that is being analyzed.

n2 Total weed seed shall not exceed 10 per lb.

n3 Objectionable weeds are: Dodder (Cuscuta spp.), Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense), Wild Mustard (Brassica spp.), Wild Onion (Allium spp.), Wild Radish (Raphanus raphanistrum), Sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis), Corncockle (Agrostemma githago), Giant Foxtail (Sateria Faberii), Russian Knapweed Knapweed (Centaurea repens), and Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula).

Prohibited weeds are: Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), Quackgrass (Agropyron repens), Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvensis) and Bedstraw (Galium spp.).

FIELD AND GARDEN BEAN SEED CERTIFICATION STANDARDS

I. Application and Amplification of General Certification Standards

A. The General Seed Certification Standards as given in this publication (adopted by the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies) are basic and together with the following specific standards constitute the standards for certification of field and garden beans.

II. Land Requirements

A. The crop must be grown on land free from volunteer bean plants unless the volunteer plants are of the same variety and of equal or higher class.

III. Field Inspection

A. One or more field inspections will be made at the time or times when disease or off-type plants can best be detected.

IV. Field Standards

A. General

1. The field shall be the unit considered for certification, but a portion of the field may be approved provided the remainder is harvested separately and the seed is eliminated from certification. Any unit approved for certification shall be bounded by a strip of land at least fifty (50) feet in width not growing beans.

B. Isolation requirements

1. Different varieties of Foundation, Registered and Certified beans shall be isolated by at least fifty (50) feet.

C. Approval of areas

1. Bean inspection service shall be limited to those areas of Vermont approved by the Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station and the Vermont Department of Agriculture.

D. Specific Standards

Maximum permitted in each class
Factor	Foundation	Registered	Certified
Other varieties n2	none	1:20000	1:1000
Other crops (inseparable)	none	none	1:1000
Bacterial blight n1	1:200	1:200	1:100
Mosaic (common) n2	none	1:200	1:100
Anthracnose n1	1:400	1:400	1:200
Total disease	1:200	1:100	1:50

n1 The percentage of anthracnose and blights applies to pods.

n2 The percentage of mosaic on mixture applies to plants.

TURFGRASS SOD STANDARDS

I. Application and Amplification of General Certification Standards

A. The General Seed Certification Standards, as given in this publication, are basic and together with the following specific standards constitute the standards for the certification of turf grasses.

B. Section E is amplified to apply to vegetatively and/or seed propagated turf grasses.

1. Foundation sod shall be the vegetative increase of breeder sod or seed.

2. Registered sod shall be the vegetative increase of foundation sod or seed.

3. Certified sod shall be the vegetative increase of foundation, registered, or certified sod or seed.

C. Seed production must be prevented in all generations of sod production fields.

II. Land Requirements

A. A field to be eligible for production of foundation or registered sod must have been inspected two (2) times at an interval of at least six (6) weeks and found free of all other perennial grass species and varieties, and noxious and objectionable weeds for one (1) year preceding the time of planting.

B. A field to be eligible for the production of certified sod must have been inspected at least twice prior to planting at approximately six-week intervals and found free of all other perennial grasses, and noxious and objectionable weeds, or

C. In lieu of A or B above, a field to be eligible for the production of foundation, registered, or certified sod may be undisturbed for three (3) weeks at which time an official inspection shall be made to determine if the land is free of perennial grasses, and noxious and objectionable weeds. Soil conditions should be favorable for seed germination and active plant growth during this period.

III. Field Inspection

A. One or more field inspections must be made during the growing season at a time when it is possible to identify other perennial grasses and/or strains and objectionable weeds, insects, and diseases.

B. One inspection must be made 30 days prior to "lift-off" of sod.

C. A field harvested before inspection will not be eligible for certification.

IV. Field Standards

A. General

1. Unit of Certification: A field or blocks within a field shall be considered the unit for certification. If for any reason sections of a field do not meet certification requirements, the portion or portions of the field meeting certification requirements may be certified. A map showing the exact specification and location of the field will be drawn and submitted with the application for certification.

V. Seed Standards

Factor	Standards for Each Class
Foundation	Registered	Certified
Pure seed (minimum)	99.00% n1	98.00% n1	98.00% n1
Weed seeds	None	None	None
Inert matter: including splits, dirt,
etc. (maximum)	0.50% n2	1.00% n2	1.00% n2
Other distinguishable varieties or
off-type seed (maximum)	None	None	0.10% n4
Other crops excluding other
varieties (maximum)	None	None	0.10%
Total damage: including disease, insect
damage, shrivelled seed and discolor-
ation due to weathering (maximum) n3	1.00%	2.00%	2.00%
Bacterial blight (maximum)	None	0.50%	1.00%
Anthracnose (maximum)	None	0.50%	1.00%
Moisture (maximum)	18.00%	18.00%	18.00%
Germination (minimum)	85.00%	85.00%	85.00%

n1 97% for varieties of the Marrow type; 96% for Registered and Certified.

n2 3.00% for varieties of the Marrow type.

n3 Discoloration due to weathering is that caused by the growth of molds of bacteria on the seed coat as a result of wet weather at harvest time or by improper storage.

n4 0.50% for the Yellow-eye variety.

2. Isolation: A field or block of sod eligible for certification must be isolated from adjacent fields with a ten (10) foot barrier. The barrier must be fallowed or seeded to the same variety or varieties and quality of the turfgrass species considered for certification.

3. Maintenance and Sod Quality: Sod for which certification is requested must show evidence of good management and apparent freedom from serious winter injury, thatch, and turf pests. It must be of uniform maturity, density, color, and texture, and no manure or other contaminating material shall be applied two (2) years preceding or during the establishment and production of the stand.

B. Specific Requirement

1. Age: The production of certified sod shall be limited to fields having stands not more than three years old.

V. Sod Standards

A. Certified sod shall meet the following standards:

Kentucky
Kentucky		Red Bluegrass-
Bluegrass	Fescues	Red Fescue
Factor	Varieties	Varieties	Mixtures	Bent- grass
5 Other turfgrasses * - Percent of
total turfgrass population.
Minimum Certified Varieties	94%	94%	92%	94%
Maximum Tolerance:
Kentucky Bluegrass (Other)	3%	1%	3%	1%
Red Fescue	1%
(Other)	3%	3%	1%
Tall Fescue	0%	0%	0%	0%
Ryegrass (Perennial and Annual)	0%	0%	0%	0%
Bentgrass	0 %	0%	0%(Other)	2%
Other Crops	0%	0%	0%	0%
Weeds (Plants per 1000 sq. ft. of sod area)
Objectionable weeds n1	2%	2%	2%	2%
Prohibited weeds n2	0%	0%	0%	0%

* Other turfgrasses shall include:

(a) Varieties or off-type plants of the same species being inspected for certification.

(b) Species of turfgrasses other than the one being inspected for certification.

n1 Objectionable weeds are: Crabgrass (Digitaria spp.), dandelion (Taraxacum afficinale), plantain (Plantago spp.), Sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella), wood sorrel (Oxalis europaea), ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea), yarrow (Achiblea millefolium), annual chickweed (Stellaria media), mouse-eared chickweed (Cerastium vulgatum), field chickweed (Cerastium arvense); speedwell (Veronica spp.), knotweed (Polygonum aviculare), purslane (Portulaca oleoracea), heal-all (Lupulina), white clover (Trifolium repens L.) barnyard grass (Echinochla crusgalli), nimblewell (Mulengergia schreberi), and volunteer creeping bentgrasses (Agrostis palustris and canina), and any other broadleaf or grassy weed which may detract from sod quality.

n2 Prohibited weeds are: Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), quackgrass (Agropyron repens), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvensis), bedstraw (Galium spp.), dodder (Cuscuta spp.), horsenettle (Solanum carolinense), wild mustard (Brassica spp.), wild onion (Allium spp.), wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum), sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis), corncockle (Agrostemma githago).

FINAL DATES FOR APPLICATION FOR INSPECTION

The latest dates on which applications for field inspection will be accepted are:

May 1 of the year prior to sending - Turfgrass Sod.

June 1 - Winter Wheat, Winter Barley, Rye, Birdsfoot Trefoil, Alfalfa.

June 15 - Oats.

June 15 - Timothy and Crownvetch.

FEES - All Classes:

Minimum Fee - $ 15 first five (5) acres inclusive.

Over five (5) acres to 40 acres inclusive - $ 15, plus $ 1 per acre over five (5) acres.

Over 40 acres - $ 50, plus $ .80 per acre over 40 acres.

1. The application for certification must be accompanied by 60% of the certification fee. The balance, or 40%, of the certification fee will be payable no later than 90 days after bill is rendered. Certification will be withheld until all fees have been paid.

2. The balance, or 40%, of the certification fee will be waived if the field is rejected upon field inspection or if no crop is harvested for reasons beyond the grower's control.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Vermont may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.

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Code of Vermont RulesAgency 20 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND MARKETSSub-Agency 031 - PLANT INDUSTRY DIVISIONChapter 003 - SEED CERTIFICATION REGULATIONSSection 20 031 003 - SEED CERTIFICATION REGULATIONS

Code of Vermont Rules
Agency 20 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND MARKETS
Sub-Agency 031 - PLANT INDUSTRY DIVISION
Chapter 003 - SEED CERTIFICATION REGULATIONS
Section 20 031 003 - SEED CERTIFICATION REGULATIONS