Code of Vermont Rules
Agency 20 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND MARKETS
Sub-Agency 031 - PLANT INDUSTRY DIVISION
Chapter 019 - SEED STANDARD
Section 20 031 019 - SEED STANDARD
Current through August, 2024
Section I Statutory Authority
The following seed standard regulations are hereby promulgated by the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets pursuant to the authority of 6 V.S.A. Chapter 35, subchapter 2, 642(b) and 644(b).
Section II Definitions
As used in these rules:
"Prohibited Noxious-Weed Seeds" are those seeds which are prohibited from being present in agricultural, vegetable, flower, tree, or shrub seed. They are the seeds of weeds which are highly destructive and difficult to control by good cultural practices and the use of herbicides. They include, but are not limited to, the seeds of field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L.), quackgrass (Elymus repens (L.) Gould), Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.), bedstraw (Galium spp.), serrated tussock (Nasella trichotoma (Nees) Hack.), and velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medik.).
"Restricted Noxious-Weed Seeds" are seeds which are very objectionable in agricultural crops, lawns and gardens of this state and which can be controlled by good cultural practices or the use of herbicides. They include, but are not limited to, the seeds of dodder ( Cuscuta spp.), horsenettle (Solanum carolinense L.) wild mustard (Brassica spp.), wild onion (Allium spp.), wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum L.), perennial sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis L.), purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria L.), and corncockle (Agrostemma githago L.).
Section III Labeling
Agricultural, vegetable and flower seeds exposed for sale or transported within this state shall be labeled in the following manner:
Treated Seeds' labels shall:
For agricultural seeds, except for cool season lawn and turf grass seed and mixtures thereof as provided in Section III D. , for seed sold on a pure live seed basis as provided in Section III J. ; and for hybrids which contain less than 95% hybrid seed as provided in Section III K. , the label shall contain:
Following a. and b. above, the "total germination and hard seed" may be stated as such, if desired.
OR
OR
Following a. and b. the "total germination and hard seed" may be stated as such, if desired.
OR
OR
Section IV Prohibitions
Section V Records
Each person whose name appears on a label as handling agricultural, flower, vegetable, or tree and shrub seed subject to 6 V.S.A. Chapter 35 or these rules shall keep for a period of two years complete records of each lot of agricultural, flower and vegetable seed handled, and keep for one year a file sample of each lot of seed after final disposition of the lot. All records and samples pertaining to the shipment or shipments involved shall be accessible for inspection by the secretary during customary business hours.
Section VI Exemptions
Section VII Testing and Sampling Procedures
Methods of inspecting, testing and sampling procedures of agricultural, vegetable and flower seed shall conform to those outlined in Rules for Testing Seeds, Journal of Technology (6) 1981, and subsequently amended by the Association of Official Seed Analysts.
Section VIII Powers of the Secretary
Section IX Genetically Engineered Seed Labeling
Section X Inspections and Reporting
Germination percentages for vegetable and flower seeds. |
Germination Standard for Vegetable Seeds. The following standards for the germination of vegetable seeds are hereby adopted as agency procedures.
KIND |
PERCENT |
ANISE |
50 |
ARTICHOKE |
60 |
ASPARAGUS |
70 |
ASPARAGUSBEAN |
75 |
BASIL, SWEET |
70 |
BEAN, GARDEN |
70 |
BEAN, LIMA |
70 |
BEAN, RUNNER |
75 |
BEET |
65 |
BROADBEAN |
75 |
BROCCOLI |
75 |
BRUSSEL SPROUTS |
70 |
BURDOCK, GREAT |
60 |
CABBAGE |
75 |
CABBAGE, TRONCHUDA |
70 |
CANTALOUPE (SEE MUSKMELON) |
|
CARAWAY |
55 |
CARDOON |
60 |
CARROT |
55 |
CAULIFLOWER |
75 |
CELERAIC |
55 |
CELERY |
55 |
CHARD, SWISS |
65 |
CHERVIL, SALAD |
65 |
CHICORY |
65 |
CHINESE CABBAGE |
75 |
CHIVES |
50 |
CITRON |
65 |
COLLARDS |
80 |
CORIANDER |
70 |
CORN, POP |
75 |
CORN, SWEET |
75 |
CORNSALAD |
70 |
COWPEA |
75 |
CRESS, GARDEN |
75 |
CRESS, UPLAND |
60 |
CRESS, WATER |
40 |
CUCUMBER |
80 |
DANDELION |
60 |
EGGPLANT |
60 |
ENDIVE |
70 |
FENNEL, FLORENCE |
60 |
FENNEL, SWEET |
50 |
KALE |
75 |
KALE, CHINESE |
75 |
KALE, SIBERIAN |
75 |
KOHLRABI |
75 |
LEEK |
60 |
LETTUCE |
80 |
MUSKMELON |
75 |
MARJORAM, SWEET |
50 |
MUSTARD |
75 |
MUSTARD, SPINACH |
75 |
OKRA |
50 |
ONION |
70 |
ONION, WELSH |
70 |
OREGANO |
60 |
PAK-CHOI |
75 |
PARSLEY |
60 |
PARSNIP |
60 |
PEA |
80 |
PEANUT |
60 |
PEPPER |
55 |
PUMPKIN |
75 |
RADISH |
75 |
RHUBARB |
60 |
ROQUETTE |
60 |
ROSEMARY |
30 |
RUTABAGA |
75 |
SAGE |
60 |
SALSIFY |
75 |
SAVORY, SUMMER |
55 |
SORREL |
65 |
SOYBEAN |
75 |
SPINACH |
60 |
SPINACH, NEW ZEALAND |
40 |
SQUASH |
75 |
THYME |
50 |
TOMATO |
75 |
TOMATO, HUSK |
50 |
TURNIP |
80 |
WATERMELON |
70 |
The germination standards for all other vegetable and herb seed, for which a standard has not been established, shall be 50%.
Kind of Flower Seeds. Subject to Germination Labeling Requirement and Germination Standard for Flower Seed. |
The following standards for the germination of flower seeds are hereby adopted as agency procedures. The percentage listed opposite each kind is the germination standard for that kind. For the kinds marked with an asterisk, the percentage is the total of percentage germination and percentage hard seed. For other kinds, it is the percentage germination.
SEED KIND |
PERCENT |
Archillea (The Pearl) - Achillea ptarmica |
50 |
African Daisy - Dimorphotheca aurantiaca |
55 |
African Violet -- Saintpaulia spp |
30 |
Ageratum - Ageratum mexicanum |
60 |
Agrostemma (rose campion) - Agrostemma coronaria |
65 |
Alyssum - Alyssum compactum, A. maritimum, A. procumbens, |
|
A. saxatile |
60 |
Amaranthus - Amaranthus spp |
65 |
Anagalis (primpernel) - Anagalis arvensis, Anagalis coerulia, |
|
Anagalis grandiflora |
60 |
Anemone - Anemone coronaria, A. pulsatilla |
55 |
Angel's Trumpet - Datura arborea |
60 |
Arabis - Arabis alpine |
60 |
Arctotis (African lilac daisy) - Arctotis grandis |
45 |
Armeria - Armeria Formosa |
55 |
Asparagus, fern - Asparagus plumosus |
50 |
Asparagus, sprenger, Asparagus sprengeri |
55 |
Aster, China - Callistephus chinensis; except Pompon, Powderpuff, |
|
and Princess types |
55 |
Aster, China - Callistephus chinensis; Pompon, Powderpuff |
|
and Princess types |
50 |
Aubretia - Aubretia deltoids |
45 |
Baby Smilax - Aparagus asparagoides |
25 |
Balsam - Impatiens balsamina |
70 |
Begonia - (Begonia fibrous rooted) |
60 |
Begonia - (Begonia tuberous rooted) |
50 |
Bells of Ireland - Molucella laevis |
60 |
Brachycome (swan river daisy) - Brachycome iberidifolia |
60 |
Browallia - Browallia elata and B. speciosa |
65 |
Bupthalum (sunwheel) - Buphthalum salicifolium |
60 |
Calceolaria - Calceolaria spp |
60 |
Calendula - Calendula officinalis |
65 |
California Poppy - Eschscholtzia californica |
60 |
Calliopsis - Coreopsis bicolor, C. drummondi, C. elegans |
65 |
Campanula: Canterbury Bells - Campanula medium |
60 |
Cup and Saucer Bellflower - Campanula medium |
|
Calycanthema |
60 |
Carpathian Bellflower - Campanula carpatica |
50 |
Peach Bellflower - Campanula persicifolia |
50 |
Candytuft, Annual - Iberis amara, I. umbellate |
65 |
Candytuft, Perennial - Iberis gibraltarica, I. sempervirens |
55 |
Castor Bean - Ricinus communis |
60 |
Cathedral Bells - Cobaea scandens |
65 |
Celosia - Celosia argentea |
65 |
Centaurea: Basket Flower - Centaurea americana, Cornflower- |
|
C. cyanus, Dusty Miller - C. candidissima, Royal Centaurea, |
|
C. imperialis Sweet Sultan - C. moschata, Velvet Centaurea |
|
C. gymnocarpa |
60 |
Cerasium (snow-in-summer) Cerastium biebersteini and |
|
C. tomentosum |
65 |
Chinese Forget-me-not - Cynoglossum amabile |
55 |
Chrysanthemum, Annual - Chrysanthemum carinatum, |
|
C.coronarium, C. segetum |
50 |
Cineraria -- Senecio cruentus |
60 |
Clarkia - Clarkia elegans |
65 |
Cleome - Cleome gigantean |
65 |
Coleus - Coleus blumei |
65 |
Columbine - Aquilegia spp |
50 |
Coral Bells - Heuchera sanguine |
55 |
Coreopsis, Perennial - Coreopsis lanceolata |
40 |
Corn, ornamental - Zea mays |
75 |
Cosmos: Sensation, Mammoth and Crested types - Cosmos |
|
bipinnatus; Klondyke type - C . sulphureau |
65 |
Crossandra - (Crossandra infundibuliformis) |
50 |
Dahlia - Dahlia spp |
55 |
Daylily - Hemerocallis spp |
45 |
Delphinium, Perennial- Belladonna and Bellamosum types; |
|
Cardinal Larkspur - Delphinium cardinale; Chinensis types; |
|
Pacific Giant, Gold Medal and other hybrids of D. elatum |
55 |
Dianthus: Carnation - Dianthus caryophyllus |
60 |
China Pinks - Dianthus chinensis, heddewigi, Heddinsis |
70 |
Grass Pinks - Dianthus plumarius |
60 |
Maiden Pinks - Dianthus deltoids |
60 |
Sweet William - Dianthus barbatus |
70 |
Sweet Wivelsfield - Dianthus allwoodi |
60 |
Didiscus - (blue lace flower) - Didiscus coerulea |
65 |
Doronicum (leopard's bane) - Doronicum caucasicum |
60 |
Dracaena - Dracaena indivisa |
55 |
Dragon Tree - Dracaena draco |
40 |
English Daisy - Bellis perennis |
55 |
Flowering Maple - Abutilon spp |
35 |
Flax - Golden flax (Linum flavum); Flowering flax |
|
L. randiflorum; Perennial flax, L. perenne |
60 |
Foxglove - Digitalis spp |
60 |
Gaillardia, Annual - Gaillardia pulchella; G. pieta; Perennial - |
|
G. grandiflora |
45 |
Gerbera (transvaal daisy) - Gerbera jamesoni |
60 |
Geum - Geum spp |
55 |
Gilia - Gilia spp |
65 |
Gloriosa daisy (rudbeckia) - Echinacea purpurea and |
|
Rudbeckia hirta |
60 |
Godetia - Godetia amoena, G. grandiflora |
65 |
Gloxinia - (Sinningia speciosa) |
40 |
Gourds: Yellow Flowered - Cucurbita pepo; White Flowered- |
|
Lagenaria sisceraria; Dishcloth - Luffa cylindrical |
70 |
Gypsophila: Annual Baby's Breath - Gypsophlla elegans; |
|
Perennial Baby's Breath - G. paniculata, G. pacifica G. |
|
Repens |
70 |
Helenium - Helenium autumnale |
40 |
Helichrysum - Helichrysum monstrosum |
60 |
Heliopsis - Heliopsis scabra |
55 |
Heliotrope - Heliotropium spp |
35 |
Helipterum (Acroclinium) Helipterum roseum |
60 |
Hesperis (sweet rocket) - Hesperis matronalis |
65 |
*Hollyhock - Althea rosea |
65 |
Hunnemania (mexican tulip poppy) - Hunnemania |
|
Fumariaefolia |
60 |
Hyacinh bean - Dolichos lablab |
70 |
Impatiens - Impatiens hostii, I. sultani |
55 |
*Ipomea - Cypress Vine - Ipomea quamoclit; Moonflower - |
|
I. noctiflora; Morning Glories, Cardinal Climber, Hearts and |
|
Honey Vine - Ipomea spp |
75 |
Jerusulem cross (maltese cross) - Lychnis chalcedonica |
70 |
Job's Tears - Coix lacrymajobi |
70 |
Kochia - Kochia childsi |
55 |
Larkspur, Annual - Delphinium ajacis |
60 |
Lantana - Lantana camara, L. Hybrid |
35 |
Lilium (regal lily) - Lilium regale |
50 |
Linaria - Linaria spp |
65 |
Lobelia, Annual - Lobelia erinus |
65 |
Lunaria, Annual - Lunaria annua |
65 |
*Lupine - Lupinus spp |
65 |
Marigold - Tagetes spp |
65 |
Marvel of Peru - Mirabilis jalapa |
60 |
Matricaria (feverfew) - Matricaria spp |
60 |
Mignonette - Reseda odorata |
55 |
Myosotis - Myosotis alpestris, M. oblongata, M. palustris |
50 |
Nasturtium - Tropaeolum spp |
60 |
Nemesia - Nemesia spp |
65 |
Nemophila - Nemophila insignis |
70 |
Nemophila, spotted - Nemophila maculate |
60 |
Nicotiana - Nicotiana affinis, N. sanderae, N. sylvestris |
65 |
Nierembergia - Nierembergia spp |
55 |
Nigella - Nigella damascene |
55 |
Pansy - Viola tricolor |
60 |
Phacelia - Phacelia campanularia, P. minor, P. tanacetifolia |
65 |
Penstemon - Penstemon barbatus, P. grandflorus, P.laevigatus, |
|
P. pubescens |
60 |
Petunia - Petunia spp |
45 |
Phox, Annual - Phlox drummondi all types and varieties |
55 |
Physalis - Physalis spp |
60 |
Platycodon (balloon flower) - Platycodon grandiflorum |
60 |
Plumbago, cape - Plumbago capensis |
50 |
Ponytail - Beaucarnea recurvata |
40 |
Poppy: Shirley Poppy - Papaver rhoeas; Iceland Poppy - P. |
|
nudicaule; Oriental Poppy -P. orientale; Tulip Poppy - P. glaucum |
60 |
Portulace - Portulaca grandiflora |
55 |
Primula (primrose) - Primula spp |
50 |
Pyrethrum (painted daisy) - Pyrethrum coccineum |
60 |
Salpiglossis - Salpiglossis gloxinaeflora, S. sinuata60 Salvia - Scarlet |
|
Sage - Salvia splendens; Mealycup Sage (blue bedder) - Salvia |
|
Farinacea |
50 |
Saponaria - Saponaria ocymoides, S. vaccaria |
60 |
Scabiosa, Annual - Scabiosa atropurpurea |
50 |
Scabiosa, Perennial - Scabiosa caucasica |
40 |
Schizanthus - Schizanthus spp |
60 |
*Sensitive pant (mimosa) - Mimosa pudica |
65 |
Shasta Daisy - Chrysanthemum maximum C. Leucanthemum |
65 |
Silk Oak - Grevillea robusta |
25 |
Snapdragon - Antirrhinum spp |
55 |
Solanum - Solanum spp |
60 |
Stocks: Common - Mathiola incana; Evening Scented - |
|
Mathiola bicornis |
65 |
Sunflower - Helianthus spp |
70 |
Sunrose - Helianthemum spp |
30 |
* Sweet Pea, Annual and Perennial other than dwarf bush - |
|
Lathyrus odoratus, L latifolius |
75 |
*Sweet Pea, dwarf bush - Lathyrus odoratus |
65 |
Tahoka daisy - Machaeanthera tanacetifolia |
60 |
Thunbergia - Thunbergia alata |
60 |
Torch Flower - Tithonia speciosa |
70 |
Torenia (wishbone flower) - Torenia fournieri |
70 |
Tritoma Kniphofia spp |
65 |
Verbena, Annual - Verbena hybrid |
35 |
Vinca - Vinca rosea |
60 |
Viola - Viola cornuta |
55 |
Virginian stocks - Malcolmia maritime |
65 |
Wallflower - Cheiranthus allioni |
65 |
Yucca (Adam's needle) - Yucca filamentosa |
50 |
multiflora, Z. pumila |
65 |
Zinna (except Linearis and Creeping) - Zinnia angustifolia, |
|
Z. elegans, Z. grandiflora, Z. gracillima, Z. haegeana, Z. Zinnia, |
|
Linearis and Creeping - Zinnia linearis, Sanvitalia |
|
Procumbens |
50 |
All other kinds |
50 |
A mixture of kinds of flower seeds will be considered to be below the standard if the germination of any kind or combination of kinds constituting 25 percent or more of the mixture by number is below standard for the kind or kinds involved.