Bulletin 953 November 1998 Seed Germination and Purity Analysis 1998 BY SHARON M. DOUGLAS AND MARY K. INMAN Official samples of 347 vegetable and 15 lawn seed were collected by inspectors from the Bureau of Regulation and Inspection of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture for testing in 1998. As the official seed testing laboratory, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station performed germination and purity analyses for compliance with the Connecticut Seed Law Regulations and the Federal Seed Act. Table 1 shows the results of germination tests for individual vegetable seed samples from 1 9 companies. Results are presented by plant type, variety, germination found, germination standard, and compliance with the standard. Germination standards are set by the Federal Seed Act. The categories for label compliance are: 1) seeds meet label claims for germination and 2) seeds do not meet label claims for germination within allowable tolerance. All tests were replicated twice. In addition, seedlings must also appear "normal", i.e., they have to be free from decay, have well-developed primary root systems, have well-developed and intact hypocotyls and/or epicotyls, and have healthy cotyledons. Of the 347 vegetable seeds tested, three did not meet their claims for germination. Two samples were not retested because of insufficient numbers of seeds. Seed samples were also examined for prohibited noxious weed seeds. No vegetable samples contained weed contaminants. The total number of germination claims and the percentage of claims that met or failed label claims are summarized for each vegetable seed company in Table 2. Table 3 summarizes the total number of samples tested and the average germination for each type of vegetable. Table 4 shows the results of purity and germination tests for individual \avm grass seed samples. These are presented by company, brand name and/or seed type or variety mixture. The categories for both purity and germination are as previously described for vegetable seeds. Lawn seed samples that were labelled with several varieties within a species or with several species within a genus were separated by genus. Purity and germination results are therefore reported as the sum for that genus. The label claim is met as long as this sum equals or exceeds the sum of the individual components for a genus listed on the label. Nine of the 15 lawn seed samples tested met label claims for both purity and germination. Five samples did not meet claims for purity and one sample failed label claims for germination. No samples failed label claims for both purity and germination. In addition to germination and purity tests, label claims for the percentages of inert matter, crop seed (other than lawn seed), weed seed, and the presence of noxious weeds were also evaluated. All samples met label claims for these criteria. Analyses were performed by Mary K. Inman and Dr. Sharon M. Douglas. Samples were collected by Alton Van Dyke, Seed Control Official. The Seed Law is administered by the Seed Control Official for the Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture. Sharon M. Douglas Seed Germination and Purity Analysis 1998 Table 1. Germination of vegetable seeds. Standards are provided by the rules and regulations of the Federal Seed Act. * = the seed does not meet label claims. H = hard seed. Plant Variety Seed Company Standard Germ. Found Artichoke Green Globe Improved Comstock, Ferre and Co. 60 47' Asparagus Mary Washington Comstock, Ferre and Co. 70 81 Bean Derby Agway Inc. 70 96 Bean Golden Butterwax Agway Inc. 70 100 Bean Henderson Bush Agv^-ay Inc. 70 89 Bean Kentucky Wonder 191 Agway Inc. 70 98 Bean Legion Bush Excel Seeds 70 91 Bean Brittle Wax W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 70 97 Bean Blue Lake White-Seeded W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 70 86 Bean Kentucky Wonder Pole The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co 70 95 Bean Tendergreen The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co 70 100 Bean Tendergreen Comstock, Ferre and Co. 70 100 Bean Derby Comstock, Ferre and Co. 70 92 Bean Roma 11 Comstock, Ferre and Co. 70 85 Bean Cherokee Wax New England Seed Co. 70 99 Bean French Horticultural New England Seed Co. 70 99 Bean Golden Sands Better Homes & Gardens, Advance Seed Co. 70 97 Bean White Runner Better Homes & Gardens, Advance Seed Co. 70 99 Bean Blue Lake Bush Livingston Seed Co. 70 100 Bean Tendergreen Improved Lake Valley Seed Co. 70 100 Bean Improved Commodore NK Lawn and Garden Co. 70 95 Bean Romano #14 Ferry-Morse Advance Seed Co. 70 87 Bean Daytona Ferry-Morse Advance Seed Co. 70 100 Bean Yellow Bush Shepherd's Garden Seeds 70 99 Bean Bountiful Stringless Snap Seeds of Change 70 100 Bean Triomphe de Fancy Burpee's Heirlooms 70 99 Bean,Lima Burpee's Best Pole W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 70 71 Bean,Lima Jackson Wonder Bush New England Seed Co. 70 96 Beet Detroit Dark Red Agway Inc. 65 94 Beet Red Ace Agway Inc. 65 97 Beet Detroit Dark Red Excel Seeds 65 98 Beet Burpee's Redball W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 65 99 Beet Early Wonder The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co 65 95 Beet Early Wonder Green Top Comstock, Ferre and Co. 65 87 Beet Early Wonder Green Top New England Seed Co. 65 96 Beet Tall Top Early Wonder Better Homes & Gardens, Advance Seed Co. 65 97 Beet Detroit Dark Red Livingston Seed Co. 65 82 Beet Golden NK Lawn and Garden Co. 60 93 Beet Early Wonder Greene Valley Seeds 65 93 Beet Detroit Dark Red American Seed Co. 65 91 Beet Chioggia Burpee's Heirlooms 65 98 Broccol 3-Way Blend Agway Inc. 75 60* Broccol Waltham 29 Excel Seeds 75 80 Broccol DeCicco The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co 75 81 Broccol Raab,Primo Comstock, Ferre and Co. 75 92 Broccol Waltham 29 New England Seed Co. 75 86 Broccol Green Sprouting Greene Valley Seeds 75 88 Brussels sprouts Catskill Agway Inc. 70 68 Brussels sprouts Long Island Improved The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co 70 71 Brussels sprouts Catskill Better Homes & Gardens, Advance Seed Co. 70 89 Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 953 Table 1. Germination of vegetable seeds (continued). Standards are provided by the rules and regulations of the Federal Seed Act. * = the seed does not meet label claims. H = hard seed. Plant Variety Seed Company Standard Germ. Found Cabbage Gourmet Agway Inc. 75 94 Cabbage Red Acre Agway Inc. 75 85 Cabbage Early Jersey Wakefield Excel Seeds 75 71 Cabbage Golden Acre W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 75 76 Cabbage Danish Ball Head The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co 75 84 Cabbage Red Acre Comstock, Ferre and Co. 75 72 Cabbage Chieftan Savoy New England Seed Co. 75 91 Cantaloupe Classic Agway Inc. 75 90 Cantaloupe Jumbo Hale's Best Excel Seeds 75 79 Cantaloupe Burpee Hybrid W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 75 98 Cantaloupe Delicious 51 The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co 75 100 Cantaloupe Iriquois Comstock, Ferre and Co. 75 98 Cantaloupe Delicious 51 New England Seed Co. 75 95 Cantaloupe Hales Best Jumbo Better Homes & Gardens, Advance Seed Co. 75 96 Cantaloupe Honey Rock Livingston Seed Co. 75 99 Cantaloupe Iroquois NK Lawn and Garden Co. 75 79 Cantaloupe Sierra Gold Ferry-Morse Advance Seed Co. 75 98 Carrot Dan vers 126 Agway Inc. 55 69 Carrot Nandrin Agway Inc. 55 88 Carrot Danvers Half Long Excel Seeds 55 65 Carrot Nantes Half Long W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 55 79 Carrot Imperator The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co 55 57 Carrot Danvers Half Long Comstock, Ferre and Co. 55 80 Carrot Red Core Chantenay New England Seed Co. 55 65 Carrot Danvers 126 Better Homes & Gardens, Advance Seed Co. 55 70 Carrot Nantes Livingston Seed Co. 55 69 Carrot Tendersweet NK Lawn and Garden Co. 55 70 Carrot Nantes Coreless Greene Valley Seeds 55 67 Carrot Danvers Half Long American Seed Co. 55 76 Carrot Healthmaster Botanical Interests, Inc. 55 91 Carrot Royal Chantenay Supreme Seeds of Change 55 80 Cauliflower Snow Crown Agway Inc. 75 74 Cauliflower Early Snowball The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co 75 92 Cauliflower Early Snowball New England Seed Co. 75 76 Cauliflower Early Snowball Greene Valley Seeds 75 86 Cauliflower Snowball X American Seed Co. 75 84 Celery Giant Pascal The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co 55 82 Celery Golden Self Blanching Comstock, Ferre and Co. 55 76 Celery Giant Pascal New England Seed Co. 55 73 Celery Cutting Johnny's Select Seeds 55 80 Celery Red Stalk Seeds of Change 55 78 Chicory Catalonga Pagano/Lake Valley Seed 65 74 Chicory, Witloof French Endive Comstock, Ferre and Co. 65 81 Chinese cabbage Jade Pagoda Agway Inc. 75 94 Chinese cabbage Michili New England Seed Co. 75 93 Collards Vates Agway Inc. 80 94 Collards Georgia Excel Seeds 80 85 Collards Georgia New England Seed Co. 80 87 Seed Germination and Purity Analysis 1998 Table 1 . Germination of vegetable seeds (continued). Standards are provided by the rules and regulations of the Federal Seed Act. * = the seed does not meet label claims. H = hard seed. Plant Variety Seed Company Standard Germ. Found Com Com Com Corn Com Corn Corn Com Com Com Com Com Corn Com Com Com Com Com Com Com Com Com Com Com Comsalad Cornsalad Bodacious Agway Inc. Butter and Sugar Agway Inc. Silver Queen Agway Inc. Golden Beauty Hybrid Excel Seeds Early Sunglow W. Atlee Burpee and Co. Silver Choice W. Atlee Burpee and Co. Butter and Sugar The Chas. C, Hart Seed Co Golden Cross Bantam The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co Platinum Lady The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co Sugar n Gold Comstock, Ferre and Co. Sugar Buns Comstock, Ferre and Co. Platinum Lady Comstock, Ferre and Co" Kandy Kom EH New England Seed Co. Mini Ear New England Seed Co. Silver Queen New England Seed Co. Sugar Dots Better Homes & Gardens, Advance Seed Co. Golden Cross Bantam Better Homes & Gardens, Advance Seed Co. Silver Queen Better Homes & Gardens, Advance Seed Co. Peaches and Cream Livingston Seed Co. Early Sunglow Lake Valley Seed Co. Calypso Hybrid NK Lawn and Garden Co. Sweet Treat Ferry-Morse Advance Seed Co. Sugar Snow Shepherd's Garden Seeds Golden Bantam Yellow Burpee's Heirlooms Gayla Shepherd"s Garden Seeds D'Etampes Burpee's Heirlooms 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 •75 75 75 75 75 70 70 96 98 89 94 99 96 98 94 98 98 89 100 97 96 96 96 96 95 96 100 88 97 96 94 80 85 Cowpea Cowpea Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Dill Eggplant Eggplant Eggplant Eggplant Eggplant Eggplant Eggplant California Blackeye Pinkeye Purple Hull Dasher II Straight Eight Marketmore 76 Straight Eight Long Green Marketmore 76 Straight Eight Spacemaster 80 Marketmore Fanfare Marketmore 76 Poinsett 76 Boston Pickling Straight Eight Straight Eight Straight Eight Dukat High Bush Select Burpee Hybrid Romanesca Dusky Hybrid Black Beauty Long Purple Black Beauty W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 75 Better Homes & Gardens, Advance Seed Co. 75 86 79 Agway Inc. 80 99 Agway Inc. 80 100 Excel Seeds 80 92 W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 80 98 Pagano/Lake Valley Seed 80 98 The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co 80 100 The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co 80 100 Comstock, Ferre and Co. 80 86 Comstock, Ferre and Co. 80 96 New England Seed Co. 80 96 New England Seed Co. 80 96 Better Homes & Gardens, Advance Seed Co. 80 93 Livingston Seed Co. 80 100 Lake Valley Seed Co. 80 93 NK Lawn and Garden Co. 80 99 Burpee's Heirlooms 80 100 Agway Inc. Agway Inc. W. Atlee Burpee and Co. Pagano/Lake Valley Seed The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co Comstock, Ferre and Co. New England Seed Co. Better Homes & Gardens, Advance Seed Co. 60 67 60 76 60 89 60 90 60 75 60 76 60 91 60 79 Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 953 Table 1. Germination of vegetable seeds (continued). Standards are provided by the rules and regulations of the Federal Seed Act. * = the seed does not meet label claims. H = hard seed. Plant Variety Seed Company Standard Germ. Found Eggplant Eggplant Endive Endive Endive Kale Kale Kale Kale Kale Kohlrabi Kohlrabi Kohlrabi Leek. Leek Leek Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Mustard Mustard Mustard New Zealand Spinach New Zealand Spinach New Zealand Spinach Okra Okra Okra Okra Okra Dusky Hybrid NK Lawn and Garden Co. 60 93 Black Beauty American Seed Co. 60 84 Salad King Agway Inc. 70 75 Broadleaved Escarolle The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co 70 75 Batavian Full Heart New England Seed Co. 70 81 Blue Scotch Agway Inc. 75 95 Vates Dwarf Blue Curled Excel Seeds 75 90 Vates The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co 75 93 Vates Dwarf Curled New England Seed Co. 75 91 Vates Dwarf Blue Curled NK Lawn and Garden Co. 75 89 Early Purple Vienna Agway Inc. 75 100 Purple Vienna Comstock, Ferre and Co. 75 82 Grand Duke Hybrid New England Seed Co. 75 89 Carina Agway Inc. 60 83 American Flag The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co 60 94 American Broad Flag New England Seed Co. 60 79 Black Seeded Simpson Agway Inc. 80 96 Buttercrunch Agway Inc. 80 95 Summertime Agway Inc. 80 99 Buttercrunch Excel Seeds 80 83 Bibb Excel Seeds 80 82 Burpee's Iceberg W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 80 98 Bionda Pagano/Lake Valley Seed 80 94 Iceberg The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co 80 98 Buttercrunch The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co 80 96 Black Seeded Simpson Comstock, Ferre and Co. 80 96 Salad Bowl Green Comstock, Ferre and Co. 80 97 Big Boston New England Seed Co. 80 97 Great Lakes New England Seed Co. 80 95 Grand Rapids Better Homes & Gardens, Advance Seed Co. 80 97 Salad Bowl Livingston Seed Co. 80 98 Black Seeded Simpson NK Lawn and Garden Co. 80 97 Romaine Greene Valley Seeds 80 96 Iceberg American Seed Co. 80 95 Great Lakes #118 Ferry-Morse Advance Seed Co. 80 99 Red Deer Tongue Seeds of Change 80 95 Iceberg Crisphead Burpee's Heirlooms 80 97 Florida Broadleaf Excel Seeds 75 99 Florida Broadleaf Comstock, Ferre and Co. 75 97 Florida Broadleaf, India NK Lawn and Garden Co. 75 96 Agway Inc. 40 39 The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co 40 53 NK Lawn and Garden Co. 40 33 Clemson Spineless Agway Inc. 50 68 Clemson Spineless Excel Seeds 50 79 Dwarf Long Stalk Green The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co 50 65 Clemson Spineless New England Seed Co. 50 87 Emerald Better Homes & Gardens, Advance Seed Co. 50 56+1 OH Seed Germination and Purity Analysis 1 998 Table 1 . Germination of vegetable seeds (continued). Standards are provided by the rules and regulations of the Federal Seed Act. * = the seed does not meet label claims. H = hard seed. Plant Variety Seed Company Standard Germ. Found Onion Onion Onion Onion Onion Onion Onion Onion Onion Onion Onion Onion Parsley Parsley Parsley Parsnip Parsnip Pea Pea Pea Pea Pea Pea Pea Pea Pea Pea Pea Pea Pea Pea Pea Pea Pea Pea Pea Pepper Pepper Pepper Pepper Pepper Pepper Pepper Pepper Pepper Pepper Pepper Pepper Pepper Pepper Pepper Pepper Long White Bunching Agway Inc. 70 76 Sweet Spanish Agway Inc. 70 82 White Lisbon Excel Seeds 70 91 Redman W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 70 82 Wethersfield Red The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co 70 83 Sweet Spanish, Utah Comstock, Ferre and Co. 70 83 Bunching, He-shi-ko Comstock, Ferre and Co. 70 86 Burgermaster Hybrid New England Seed Co. 70 87 Evergreen Bunching Better Homes & Gardens, Advance Seed Co." 70 84 Texas Grano 502 NK Lawn and Garden Co. 70 60 Green Scallions Greene Valley Seeds 70 79 Italian Button Shepherd's Garden Seeds 70 66 Moss Curled The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co 60 63 Plain Better Homes & Gardens, Advance Seed Co. 60 81 Moss Curled American Seed Co. 60 43* All American Agway Inc. 60 77 All American New England Seed Co. 60 61 Dwarf White Sugar Agway Inc. 80 97 Little Marvel Agway Inc. 80 90+2H Sugar Daddy Agway Inc. 80 90 Wando Excel Seeds 80 92 Sugar Bon W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 80 95+ IH Lincoln The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co 80 96 Wando The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co 80 92 Sparkle Comstock, Ferre and Co. 80 94 Mammoth Melting Sugar Snow Comstock, Ferre and Co. 80 81 Sugar Snap New England Seed Co. 80 84 Tail Telephone New England Seed Co. 80 92+2H Wando Better Homes & Gardens, Advance Seed Co. 80 95 Little Marvel Livingston Seed Co. 80 83 Oregon Sugar Pod II Lake Valley Seed Co. 80 94 Early Perfection NK Lawn and Garden Co. 80 89 Triple Treat Greene Valley Seeds 80 97 Oregon Giant Snow Shepherd's Garden Seeds 80 92 Oregon Sugar Pod II Botanical Interests, Inc. 80 92 Thomas Laxton Burpee's Heirlooms 80 96 Staddon's Select Agway Inc. 55 98 Jalapeno M Agway Inc. 55 83 Jalapeno, Early Excel Seeds 55 78 California Wonder W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 55 74 Square Yellow of Asti Pagano/Lake Valley Seed 55 79 Cubanelle The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co 55 66 Jalapeno The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co 55 69 Golden California Wonder Comstock, Ferre and Co. 55 56 Habanero Comstock, Ferre and Co. 55 64 Cubanelle New England Seed Co. 55 89 Large Cayenne Hot New England Seed Co. 55 80 Belle Star Hybrid Better Homes & Gardens, Advance Seed Co. 55 68 Hungarian Yellow Wax NK Lawn and Garden Co. 55 59 Emerald Giant Botanical Interests, Inc. 55 67 Red Heart Pimiento Seeds of Change 55 46 Chinese Giant Burpee's Heirlooms 55 66 Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 953 Table 1. Germination of vegetable seeds (continued). Standards are provided by the rules and regulations of the Federal Seed Act. * = the seed does not meet label claims. H = hard seed. Plant Variety Seed Company Standard Germ. Found Robust Popcorn Pumpkin Pumpkin Pumpkin Pumpkin Pumpkin Pumpkin Pumpkin Pumpkin Radish Radish Radish Radish Radish Radish Radish Radish Radish Radish Radish Radish Rutabaga Salsify Spinach Spinach Spinach Spinach Spinach Spinach Spinach Spinach Spinach Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Thomas Halloween Early Sugar Big Max Connecticut Field Jack Be Little Jack O'Lantem Connecticut Field Jack O'Lantem Easter Egg White Icicle Early Scarlet Globe Salad Rose Cherry Belle French Breakfast Cherry Belle Red Devil B Crimson Giant Cherry Belle Sparkler Early Scarlet Globe Improved Purple Yellow Top Sandwich Island Mammoth Melody Bloomsdale Long Standing Melody Hybrid Winter Bloomsdale Bloomsdale Long Standing Melody Hybrid Teton Hybrid Bloomsdale Long Standing Bloomsdale Long Standing Ambercup Zucchini, Black Beauty Early Prolific Straightneck Bennings Green Tint Improved Hubbard Yellow Summer Crookneck Zucchini, Burpee's Hybrid Vegetable Spaghetti Zucchini,San Pasquale Butternut, Waltham Yellow Straight Neck Zucchini, Dark Green Crookneck Bush Acorn, Table Ace Blue Hubbard Early Summer Crookneck Spaghetti Buttercup Yellow Summer Crookneck Buttercup Agway Inc. Agway Inc. Excel Seeds The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co Comstock, Ferre and Co. Comstock, Ferre and Co. New England Seed Co. Livingston Seed Co. Agway Inc. Agway Inc. Excel Seeds W. Atlee Burpee and Co. The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co Comstock, Ferre and Co. New England Seed Co. Better Homes & Gardens, Advance Seed Co. Livingston Seed Co. NK Lawn and Garden Co. Greene Valley Seeds American Seed Co. New England Seed Co. Burpee's Heirlooms Agway Inc. Excel Seeds W. Atlee Burpee and Co. The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co Comstock, Ferre and Co. New England Seed Co. Better Homes & Gardens, Advance Seed Co. Livingston Seed Co. Greene Valley Seeds Agway Inc. Agway Inc. Agway Inc. Excel Seeds Excel Seeds Excel Seeds W. Atlee Burpee and Co. W. Atlee Burpee and Co. Pagano/Lake Valley Seed The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co Comstock, Ferre and Co. Comstock, Ferre and Co. Comstock, Ferre and Co. New England Seed Co. New England Seed Co. New England Seed Co. Better Homes & Gardens, Advance Seed Co. Livingston Seed Co. 75 99 75 99 75 100 75 98 75 87 75 77 75 91 75 98 75 97 75 85 75 91 75 92 75 96 75 98 75 91 75 97 75 97 75 96 75 100 75 97 75 90 75 90 75 69 60 85 60 92 60 89 60 95 60 92 60 96 60 84 60 89 60 92 75 97 75 99 75 96 75 74 75 84 75 88 75 92 75 100 75 99 75 99 75 100 75 90 75 86 75 97 75 99 75 96 75 96 75 97 75 100 75 95 Seed Germination and Purity Analysis 1998 Table 1. Act. * = Plant Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Germination of vegetable seeds (continued). Standards are provided by the rules and regulations of the Federal Seed the seed does not meet label claims. H = hard seed. Variety Seed Company Standard Germ. Found Swiss Swiss Swiss Swiss Swiss Swiss Swiss chard chard chard chard chard chard chard Zucchini, Dark Zucchini, Black Beauty Cucuzzi Table King Bush Zucchini, Black Beauty Fordhook Giant Ruby Red Fordhook Fordhook Giant Lucullus Rhubarb Bright Lights Livingston Seed Co. Lake Valley Seed Co. NK Lawn and Garden Co. NK Lawn and Garden Co. Ferry-Morse Advance Seed Co. Agway Inc. Agway Inc. Excel Seeds The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co New England Seed Co. NK Lawn and Garden Co. Johnny's Select Seeds 75 90 75 86 75 74 75 72 75 69 65 96 65 95 65 89 65 84 65 95 65 84 65 90 Tomatillo Botanical Interests, Inc. 50 94 Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Turnip Turnip Turnip Turnip Watercress Watercress Watercress Watermelon Watermelon Watermelon Watermelon Watermelon Watermelon Heinz 1370 Burpee Big Boy Beefsteak Rutgers Roma VF Gardener's Delight (cherry) Genoa Ribbed Jet Star Roma VF Ponderosa Beefsteak Big Beef Rutgers Large Red Cherr> Better Boy VFN Husky Gold Hybrid Sweet 100 Rutgers San Marzano Burpee's Jubilee Purple Top White Globe Purple Top White Globe Yellow Globe Seven Top Sugar Baby Charleston Gray Sweet Favorite Sugar Baby Jubilee Charleston Grav Agway Inc. 75 88 Agway Inc. 75 92 Excel Seeds 75 79 Excel Seeds ■75 86 W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 75 87 W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 75 83 Pagano/Lake Valley Seed 75 82 The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co 75 76 The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co 75 85 The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co 75 86 Comstock, Ferre and Co. 75 90 Comstock, Ferre and Co. 75 89 Comstock, Ferre and Co. 75 82 New England Seed Co. 75 83 New England Seed Co. 75 82 New England Seed Co. 75 87 Better Homes & Gardens, Advance Seed Co. 75 86 Greene Valley Seeds 75 75 Burpee's Heirlooms 75 72 Excel Seeds 80 96 The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co 80 99 Comstock, Ferre and Co. 80 89 New England Seed Co. 80 100 The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co 40 61 New England Seed Co. 40 90 Botanical Interests, Inc. 40 91 Excel Seeds 70 98 The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co 70 92 Comstock, Ferre and Co. 70 77 New England Seed Co. 70 97 Better Homes & Gardens. Advance Seed Co. 70 94 NK Lawn and Garden Co. 70 74 10 Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 953 Table 2. Summary for each seed company of total number of germination claims and the percentage that met or failed label claims. Seed Company Total Claims % Meeting Claims % Not Meeting Claims Agway, Inc. 52 98 2 American Seed Co. 7 86 14 Better Homes & Gardens, Advance Seed Co. 23 100 0 Botanical Interests, Inc. 5 100 0 Burpee's Heirlooms 10 100 0 Comstock, Ferre and Co. 40 97 3 Excel Seeds 28 100 0 Ferry-Morse Advance Seed Co. 6 100 0 Greene Valley Seeds 10 100 0 Johnny's Select Seeds 2 100 0 Lake Valley Seed Co. 5 100 0 Livingston Seed Co. 13 100 0 New England Seed Co. 45 100 0 NK Lawn and Garden Co. 19 100 0 Pagano/Lake Valley Seed 7 100 0 Seeds of Change 5 100 0 Shepherd's Garden Seeds 5 100 0 The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. 43 100 0 W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 22 100 0 Seed Germination and Purity Analysis 1998 11 Table 3. Summary by vegetable type of number of samples tested, average percent germination found, and germination standards. Standards are provided for by the rules and regulations of the Federal Seed Act. Plant Samples Tested Standard Avg. Germination Artichoke 1 60 47 Asparagus 1 70 81 Bean 24 70 96 Bean, Lima 2 70 84 Beet 13 65 94 Broccoli 6 75 81 Brussels sprouts 3 70 76 Cabbage 7 75 82 Cantaloupe 10 75 93 Carrot 14 55 73 Cauliflower 5 75 82 Celery 5 55 77 Chicory 2 65 78 Chinese cabbage 2 75 93 Collards 3 80 89 Com 24 75 96 Comsalad 2 70 82 Cowpea 2 75 82 Cucumber 16 80 97 Dill 1 60 67 Eggplant 9 60 84 Endive 3 70 78 Kale 5 75 92 Kohlrabi 3 75 91 Leek 3 60 85 Lettuce 21 80 95 Mustard 3 75 97 New Zealand Spinach 3 40 43 Okra 5 50 71 Onion 12 70 80 Parsley 3 60 53 Parsnip 2 60 69 Pea 19 80 86 Pepper 16 55 71 Popcorn 1 75 99 Pumpkin 8 75 93 Radish 12 75 95 Rutabaga 1 75 90 Salsify- 1 75 69 Spinach 9 60 90 Squash 25 75 91 Swiss chard 7 65 90 Tomatillo 1 50 94 Tomato 19 75 84 Turnip 4 80 96 Watercress 3 40 81 Watermelon 6 70 89 12 Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 953 Table 4. Germination and purity of lawn seed. Results for purity and germination are for seeds separated by genus and not by species or variety are reported for that genus. Tolerance is calculated according to the rules for seed testing published by the Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA). Variance is calculated as: Purity Found minus Purity Claimed. * = does not meet label claims Purity Germination Seed Company/Seed Mixture Claim Found Variance Tolerance Claim Found New England Seed PUTNAM CO-OP CONSERVATION Mix 90 90 93 93 92 87 96 80 87 92 82 88 95 Blue Seal Feeds,Inc. BLUE SEAL EARLY GREEN LAWN MIXTURE Kentucky Bluegrass 14.81 18.20 3.39 2.07 85 88 Perennial Ryegrass 48.69 Annual Ryegrass 3.81 total ryegrass 52.50 59.03 1.07 4.19 avg90 93 Creeping Red Fescue 24.57 21.04 3.53 3.54 93 93 Blue Seal Feeds,Inc. BLUE SEAL CLASSIC LAWN MIXTURE Kentucky Bluegrass 34.52 40.25 5.73 3.94* 85 85 Omega III Perennial Ryegrass 19.66 Saturn Perennial Ryegrass 19.57 total ryegrass 39.23 37.31 1.92 5.38 avg 90 95 Creeping Red Fescue 24.51 19.60 4.91 4.12* 90 91 Blue Seal Feeds.lnc. BLUE SEAL SHADY LAWN MIXTURE Kentucky Bluegrass 9.87 Ram Kentucky Bluegrass 4.96 total Kentucky Bluegrass 14.83 13.16 -1.67 1.99 avg 85 96 Perennial Ryegrass 14.61 15.26 0.65 4.80 90 92 Creeping Red Fescue 39.05 Chewings Fescue 9.94 total fescue 48.99 41.09 -7.90 4.66* avg 85 86 Rough Bluegrass 19.84 28.63 8.79 Perennial Ryegrass 11.94 Annual Ryegrass 19.33 total ryegrass 31.27 33.01 1.74 Creeping Red Fescue 29.62 29.65 0.03 Tall Fescue 33.95 33.59 -0.36 White Clover 2.97 3.07 0.20 New England Seed SHADE LAWN SEED Boardwalk Perennial Ryegrass 29.66 30.13 0.47 Creeping Red Fescue 39.50 Chewings Fescue 29.58 total fescue 69.08 67.36 -1.72 New England Seed TREE LINE SHADE Kentucky Bluegrass 8.58 9.88 1.30 Patriot Perennial Ryegrass 49.83 50.18 0.35 Creeping Red Fescue 39.74 36.83 -2.91 Agway, Inc. AGWAY FALL SEED Kentucky Bluegrass 12.75 23.67 10.92 Pegasus Perennial Ryegrass 29.10 Patriot 11 Perennial Ryegrass 29.10 Dimension Perennial Ryegrass 24.25 total ryegrass 82.45 70.51 -11.94 90 90 3.78 avg 90 2.99 85 3.78 85 1.60 80 3.72 90 85 85 3.78 avg 85 1.33 80 3.83 90 3.33 90 2.27* 80 90 90 90 5.8* avg 90 2.07 85 90 90 4.19 avg 90 3.54 93 3.94* 85 90 90 5.38 avg 90 4.12* 90 85 85 1.99 avg 85 4.80 90 85 85 4.66* avg 85 2.75* 85 Seed Germination and Purity Analysis 1998 13 Table 4. Germination and purity of lawn seed (continued). Results for purity and germination are for seeds separated by genus and not by species or variety are reported for that genus. Tolerance is calculated according to the rules for seed testing published by the Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA). Variance is calculated as: Purity Found minus Purity Claimed. * = does not meet label claims Purity Germination Seed Company/Seed Mixture Claim Found Variance Tolerance Claim Found LesCO, Inc. LESCO EAGLE BLEND PLUS BLUE Shamrock Kentucky Bluegrass Wizard Perennial Ryegrass Pleasure Perennial Ryegrass Statesman Perennial Ryegrass total ryegrass Lesco, Inc. LESCO PREMIUM ATHLETIC SEED MIX Baron Kentucky Bluegrass Shamrock Kentucky Bluegrass Cannon Kentucky Bluegrass total bluegrass Wizard Perennial Ryegrass Quickstart Perennial Ryegrass total ryegrass Lesco, Inc. LESCO SHADE SEED MIXTURE Shamrock Kentucky Bluegrass Commander Perennial Ryegrass Victory Chewings Fescue Pennlawn Creeping Red Fescue Hard Fescue total fescue Salem Country Gardens SALEM COUNTRY GARD Kentucky Bluegrass Precision Perennial Ryegrass Manhatten III Perennial Ryegrass total ryegrass Creeping Red Fescue Mary Chewings Fescue total fescue Salem Country Gardens SALEM COUNTRY GARDE Gnome Kentucky Bluegrass Precision Perennial Ryegrass Manhattan III Perennial Ryegrass total ryegrass Creeping Red Fescue 24.68 29.84 5.16 3.12* 85 89 24.75 90 24.73 90 24.47 90 73.95 68.96 -4.99 3.32* avg90 98 29.42 85 19.88 85 19.78 85 69.08 71.72 2.64 5.98 avg85 88 19.69 90 9.81 90 29.50 25.37 -4.13 5.97 avg90 93 5.04 6.02 0.98 1.00 83 85 14.72 14.63 -0.09 3.69 87 90 34.57 85 34.11 85 9.89 85 78.57 76.78 -1.79 2.67 avg85 88 ENS PREMIUM MIX 19.78 18.11 -1.67 2.29 85 83 19.77 90 19.43 90 39.20 42.74 3.54 4.66 avg90 91 24.42 90 14.80 90 39.22 34.56 -4.66 3.81* avg90 90 ;ns landscapers mix 9.89 10.66 0.77 1.50 90 79" 29.66 90 19.43 90 49.09 49.91 0.82 4.17 avg90 91 39.18 35.40 -3.78 3.81 90 88 Jonathan Green JONATHAN GREEN HEAVY traffic grass seed mix Gettysburg Perennial Ryegrass 24.65 26.51 1.86 Duke Tall Fescue 39.45 Mohawk Tall Fescue 34.40 total fescue 73.85 72.53 -1.32 2.78 94 95 90 90 2.89 avg 90 96 14 Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 953 Table 4. Germination and purity of lawn seed (continued). Results for purity and germination are for seeds separated by genus and not by species or variety are reported for that genus. Tolerance is calculated according to the rules for seed testing published by the Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA). Variance is calculated as: Purity Found minus Purity Claimed. * = does not meet label claims Purity Germination Seed Company/Seed Mixture Claim Found Variance Tolerance Claim Found Lebanon Seaboard Corp. HOLDRlDGE CUSTOM MIXTURE-MULTI PURPOSE Kentucky Bluegrass 14.91 22.18 7.27 2.24 85 93 Rodeo II Perennial Ryegrass 9.54 90 Allaire II Perennial Ryegrass 9.54 90 Buccaneer Perennial Ryegrass 9.54 90 total ryegrass 28.62 28.42 -0.20 4.28 avg90 96 Creeping Red Fescue 39.04 85 Hard Fescue 14.90 85 total total fescue 53.94 46.99 -6.95 3.60 avg 85 91 Agriturf, Inc. CHAMPION TURFGRASS MIXTURE SR 4200 Perennial Ryegrass 39.48 90 SR 4 1 00 Perennial Ryegrass 29.38 90 SR 4010 Perennial Ryegrass 29.25 90 total ryegrass 98.11 98.76 0.65 0.89 avg 90 93 § %.\Z^ ji The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station , ^i • nO^ by the General Assembly to make scientific inquiries and experiments regarding plants and their pests, insects, soil and water, and to perform analyses for State agencies. The laboratories of the Station are in New Haven and Windsor; its Lockwood Farm is in Hamden. Single copies of bulletins are available free upon request to Pub- lications; Box 1 106; New Haven, Connecticut 06504. ISSN 0097-0905 '^l;;^-^,^^ A^ founded in 1875, is the first experiment station in America. It is chartered University of Connecticut Libraries 39153028938464 3 ^153 D13MmSS 7 GAYLORD RG