Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
ATCP 20-54 - Agricultural Resource Management
Chapter ATCP 20 - Seed Labeling And Sale
Section ATCP 20.06 - Seed germination; labeling, analysis and standards

Universal Citation: WI Admin Code ยง ATCP 20.06

Current through August 26, 2024

(1) LABEL INFORMATION. A seed label that is required to include germination information under s. ATCP 20.04(1) (j) shall state the following percentages for each declared kind and each declared variety of seed:

(a) The germination percentage.

(b) The hard seed percentage or dormant seed percentage, as appropriate based on the applicable test method under s. ATCP 20.02.

(2) GERMINATION ANALYSIS; EXPIRATION.

(a) Except as provided in par. (b):
1. The label information under sub. (1) shall be based on a seed germination analysis under s. ATCP 20.02 that is completed within the 12-month period immediately preceding the month in which the seed is sold, offered for sale, or displayed or distributed for sale, except that for lawn or turf seed the label information may be based on a seed germination analysis under s. ATCP 20.02 that is completed within the 15-month period immediately preceding the month in which the seed is sold, offered for sale, or displayed or distributed for sale.

2. Seed on which a germination analysis under subd. 1 has expired may be relabeled with the results of a new germination analysis that complies with subd. 1.

(b) If seed is packaged in a hermetically sealed container as provided in sub. (5), the label information under sub. (1) may be based on a germination analysis under s. ATCP 20.02 that is completed within the 36-month period immediately preceding the month in which the seed is sold, offered for sale, or displayed or distributed for sale. Seed on which a germination analysis under this paragraph has expired may not be sold, offered for sale, or displayed or distributed for sale unless it has been retested within the 9-month period immediately preceding month in which it is sold, offered for sale, or displayed or distributed for sale, and is re-labeled with the new analysis results and extended expiration date.

(c) A person holding seed on which the germination analysis is no longer valid under this subsection shall withdraw the seed from sale and shall identify it as expired seed until it has been re-analyzed and relabeled by the seed labeler identified on the new label.

(3) GERMINATION STANDARDS FOR VEGETABLE SEED.

(a) Except as provided in par. (b), the germination percentage for each kind of vegetable seed shall be at least equal to the applicable percentage specified in Table 1.

(b) If the germination percentage for any kind of vegetable seed is less than the applicable percentage specified in Table 1, the vegetable seed shall be labeled with the actual germination percentage and the conspicuous words "Below Standard" in not less than 8-point type.

Table 1

GERMINATION STANDARDS FOR VEGETABLE SEEDS

Seed 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

75

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

All Other Kinds

50

(4) GERMINATION STANDARDS FOR FLOWER SEED.

(a) Except as provided in par. (b) or (c), the germination percentage for each kind of flower seed, as determined by an analysis under s. ATCP 20.02, shall be at least equal to the applicable percentage specified in Table 2. When calculating the germination percentage for a kind of flower seed marked with an asterisk in Table 2, hard seeds may be counted as if they were germinated seeds.

(b) Except as provided in par. (c), if the germination percentage for any kind of flower seed is less than the applicable minimum percentage specified in Table 2, the flower seed shall be labeled with the actual germination percentage and the conspicuous words "Below Standard" in not less than 8-point type.

(c) If flower seed is of a kind that is not specifically identified in Table 2, and is of a kind for which no standard germination analysis is prescribed under s. ATCP 20.02, the flower seed may be labeled with the year of collection and the word "Untested."

Table 2

GERMINATION STANDARDS FOR FLOWER SEED

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. candi-dissima, Royal Centaurea - C. imperialis Sweet Sultan - C. moschata, Velvet Centaurea - C. gymno-carpa

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 . sulphu-reau

65

Crossandra - (Crossandra infundibuliformis)

50

Dahlia - Dahlia spp

55

Daylily - Hemerocallis spp

45

Delphinium, Perennial- Belladonna and Bellamosum types; Cardinal Larkspur - Delphinium cardi-nale; Chinensis types; Pacific Giant, Gold Medal and other hybrids of D. elatum

55

Dianthus:

Carnation - Dianthus caryophyllus

60

China Pinks - Dianthus chinensis, heddewigi, heddensis

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. picta; 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

Gloxinia - (Sinningia speciosa)

40

Godetia - Godetia amoena, G. grandiflora

65

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

Penstemon - Penstemon barbatus, P. grandflorus, P. laevigatus, P. pubescens.

60

Petunia - Petunia spp

45

Phacelia - Phacelia campanularia, P. minor, P. tanacetifolia

65

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. sinuate

60

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

Statice - Statice sinuata, S. suworonii (flower heads)

50

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

Zinna (except Linearis and Creeping) - Zinnia angustifolia, Z. elegans, Z. grandiflora, Z. gracillima, Z. haegeana, Z. multiflora, Z. pumila

65

Zinnia, Linearis and Creeping - Zinnia linearis, Sanvitalia procumbens

50

All Other Kinds

50

(5) SEED PACKAGED IN HERMETICALLY SEALED CONTAINERS. Seed is deemed to be packaged in a hermetically sealed container for purposes of sub. (2) (b) if all of the following apply:

(a) The seed was subjected to a germination analysis under s. ATCP 20.02 and packaged within 9 months after harvest.

(b) The seed is packaged in a sealed container that does not allow water vapor penetration, through any wall or seal, greater than 0.05 grams of water per 24 hours per 100 square inches of surface at 100 degrees Fahrenheit with a relative humidity on one side of 90 percent and on the other side of 0 percent.

(c) The container under par. (b) is conspicuously labeled to indicate all of the following:
1. The container is hermetically sealed.

2. The seed in the container has been preconditioned as to moisture content.

(d) The moisture content of the seed, as packaged in the container under par. (b), does not exceed the applicable percentage by weight of moisture specified for that seed in Table 3.

Table 3

PERCENT MOISTURE OF SEED PACKED

IN HERMETICALLY SEALED CONTAINER

Non-Vegetable Seed

Percent Moisture

Beet, field

7.5

Beet, sugar

7.5

Bluegrass, Kentucky

6.0

Fescue, red

8.0

Ryegrass, annual

8.0

Ryegrass, perennial

8.0

Other non-vegetable

6.0

Bean, garden

7.0

Bean, lima

7.0

Beet

7.5

Broccoli

5.0

Brussel Sprouts

5.0

Cabbage

5.0

Carrot

5.0

Cauliflower

5.0

Celeraic

7.0

Celery

7.0

Chard, Swiss

7.5

Chinese cabbage

5.0

Chives

6.5

Collards

5.0

Corn, sweet

8.0

Cucumber

6.0

Eggplant

6.0

Kale

5.0

Kohlrabi

5.0

Leek

6.5

Lettuce

5.5

Muskmelon

6.0

Mustard, India

5.0

Onion

6.5

Onion, Welsh

6.5

Parsley

6.5

Parsnip

6.0

Pea

7.0

Pepper

4.5

Pumpkin

6.0

Radish

5.0

Rutabaga

5.0

Spinach

8.0

Squash

6.0

Tomato

5.5

Turnip

5.0

Watermelon

6.5

All other vegetable

6.0

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