Rule 40-12-3-.01. Agricultural Seed Quality Standards

(1) Agricultural seed purity standards are as follows: (a) The percent inert matter shall not exceed 3 percent for hybrid field corn, nor 4 percent inert matter for other agricultural crop seed, with the following exceptions: 1. Exotic, native and range grasses normally marketed at high inert matter levels shall have no maximum inert matter limitation and shall be labeled to show the percent inert matter present. 2. The following agricultural crop kinds shall have inert matter limitations as indicated: Kind Maximum Inert Matter (i) Bahiagrass, Argentine ...................................... 20% (ii) Bahiagrass, Pensacola ...................................... 10% (iii) Cowpea (Southernpea) ..................................... 5% (iv) Peanut ......................................................... 5% (v) Orchardgrass ................................................. 8% (vi) Soybean........................................................ 2% (vii) Triticale ....................................................... 10% (b) The percent weed seed labeled shall comply with the following requirements: 1. The labeled percent weed seed shall not exceed the following limitations for major crop seed as indicated: Kind Maximum Percent Weed Seed (i) Corn ....................................................... None (ii) Cotton..................................................... 0.05% (iii) Peanut .................................................... 0.2 % (iv) Soybean................................................... 0.2 % 2. The percent weed seed labeled for crops not listed shall not exceed 1.0%, except for a maximum weed seed limitation of 2.0% for lawn, turf and forage grasses.

1. (2) Agricultural seed shall have a minimum germination of 70%, including hard seed or dormant seed, except for the following crop kinds:

   1. (a) Cowpeas, crotalaria, and millet, including hard seed or dormant seed, shall have a minimum germination of 60%.
   2. (b) Peanuts seed lots germinating below 70%, but not less than 60%, may be sold by stating "below standard" in not less than 8- point type on the seed label and all invoices.
   3. (c) Field corn shall have a minimum germination of 90%.
   4. (d) Kobe Striate Lespedeza seed lots, or mixtures containing such kind and variety, germinating below 70%, but not less than 50%, may be sold by stating "below standard" in not less than 8-point type on the seed label and all invoices.

Authority: O.C.G.A. Secs. 2-11-28, 2-22-28.

History. Original Rule entitled "Limitations on Noxious Weed Seeds" adopted. F. and eff. June 30, 1965.

Amended: F. Apr. 9, 1980; eff. Apr. 29, 1980.

Amended: F. Sept. 27, 1996; eff. Oct. 17, 1996.

Repealed: New Rule entitled "Agricultural Seed Quality Standards" adopted. F. June 4, 1997; eff. July 1, 1997, as specified by the Agency.

Amended: F. June 5, 2001; eff. June 25, 2001.