TONN The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven ■ 3\ S Seed Germination no%i and Purity Analysis 1999 BY SHARON M. DOUGLAS AND MARY K. INMAN Bulletin 961 October 1999 Official samples of 343 vegetable and 1 1 lawn seed were collected by inspectors from the Bureau of Regulation and Inspection of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture for testing in 1999. As the official seed testing laboratory, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station performed germination and purity analyses for compliance with the Cormecticut Seed Law Regulations and the Federal Seed Act. Table 1 shows the results of germination tests for individual vegetable seed samples from 18 com- panies. Results are presented by plant type, variety, germination found, germination standard, and compli- ance 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 343 vegetable seeds tested, two did not meet their claims for germination. Four additional samples did not meet label claims but 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 lawn 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. Five of the 1 1 lawn seed samples tested met label claims for both purity and germination. Six samples did not meet claims for purity but passed 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 Table 1. Germination of vegetable seeds. Standards are provided by the rules and regulations of the Federal Seed Act. * Does not meet label claim. Germination Plant Variety Seed Company Standard Found Artichoke Green Globe Improved Comstock, Ferre and Co. 60 51 Asparagus Mary Washington Comstock, Ferre and Co. 70 96 Bean Derby Agway, Inc. 70 92 Bean Golden Butterwax Agway, Inc. 70 96 Bean Kentucky Wonder 191 Agway, Inc. 70 68 Bean Blue Lake Symphony Ferry-Morse Seed Co./Better Homes&Gardens 70 93 Bean Kentucky Wonder Pole Ferry-Morse Seed Co./Better Homes&Gardens 70 100 Bean Blue Lake 274 Bush Ferry-Morse Seed Co./D. M. Ferry 70 92 Bean Top Crop American Seed 70 97 Bean Bountiful Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. 70 98 Bean Brittle Wax Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. 70 98 Bean Yellow Eye Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. 70 96 Bean Tendergreen Comstock, Ferre and Co. 70 98 Bean Roma II Comstock, Ferre and Co. 70 96 Bean Navy Comstock, Ferre and Co. 70 76 Bean Kentucky King W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 70 89 Bean Spanish Miralda Pole Shepherd's Garden Seeds 70 94 Bean Kentucky Wonder Wax New England Seed Co. 70 98 Bean Straight N' Narrow New England Seed Co. 70 97 Bean Red Kidney New England Seed Co. 70 95 Bean Roma II New England Seed Co. 70 84 Bean Earliserve Livingston Seed Co. 70 91 Bean Blue Lake 274 Lake Valley Seed 70 94 Bean Green Crop NK Lawn and Garden Co. 75 76 Bean, lima Burpee Improved Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. 70 56* Bean, lima Baby Fordhook W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 70 40* Beet Detroit Dark Red Agway, Inc. 65 76 Beet Detroit Dark Red,Morse Strain Ferry-Morse Seed Co./Better Homes&Gardens 65 86 Beet Chioggia Plantation Products, Inc. 65 78 Beet Early Wonder Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. 65 78 Beet Detroit Dark Red Comstock, Ferre and Co. 65 75 Beet Cylindra New England Seed Co. 65 91 Beet Detroit Dark Red Livingston Seed Co. 65 71 Beet Chioggia Thompson&Morgan 65 82 Beet Ruby Queen NK Lawn and Garden Co. 65 96 Beet Early Wonder Greene Valley Seeds/The Page Seed Co. 65 84 Broccoli Southern Comet Agway, Inc. 75 86 Broccoli Barbados Hybrid Ferry-Morse Seed Co./Better Homes&Gardens 75 96 Broccoli Waltham Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. 75 99 Broccoli Green Goliath W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 75 94 Broccoli Early Green Seeds of Change 75 94 Broccoli Premium Crop Hybrid New England Seed Co. 75 97 Broccoli Waltham 29 NK Lawn and Garden Co. 75 96 Broccoli raab Plantation Products, Inc. 75 99 Brussels sprouts Catskill Agway, Inc. 70 95 Brussels sprouts Long Island Improved Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. 70 94 Brussels sprouts Bubbles Comstock, Ferre and Co. 70 98 Brussels sprouts Jade Cross Hybrid New England Seed Co. 70 91 Cabbage Gourmet Agway, Inc. 75 80 Cabbage Red Acre Agway, Inc. 75 92 Cabbage Ferry's Round Dutch Ferry-Morse Seed Co./Better Homes&Gardens 75 95 Cabbage Early Golden Acre American Seed 75 96 Cabbage Early Jersey Wakefield Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. 75 94 Cabbage Mammoth Red Rock Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. 75 92 Cabbage Copenhagen Market Comstock, Ferre and Co. 75 97 Cabbage Danish Ball Head New England Seed Co. 75 96 Cabbage Copenhagen Market NK Lawn and Garden Co. 75 88 Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 961 Table 1 . Germination of vegetable seeds. Standards are provided by the rules and regulations of the Federal Seed Act (continued). * Does not meet label claim. Germination Plant Variety Seed Company Cantaloupe Sierra Gold Ferry-Morse Seed Co./Bettcr Homes&Gardens Cantaloupe Iroquois Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Cantaloupe Saticoy Comstock, Ferre and Co. Cantaloupe Alaska New England Seed Co. Cantaloupe Honey Rock Livingston Seed Co. Cantaloupe Iroquois NK Lawn and Garden Co. Cantaloupe Golden Delicious Greene Valley Seeds/The Page Seed Co. Carrot Nandrin Agway, Inc. Carrot Red Cored Chantenay Ferry-Morse Seed Co./Better Homes&Gardens Carrot Danvers Half Long American Seed Carrot Red Core Chantenay Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Carrot Gold Pak Comstock, Ferre and Co. Carrot Red Core Chantenay W. Atlee Burpee and Co. Carrot Red Core Chantenay Seeds of Change Carrot Danvers Half Long New England Seed Co. Carrot Danvers Half Long Livingston Seed Co. Carrot Minicore Thompson&Morgan Carrot Tendersweet NK Lawn and Garden Co. Carrot Nantes Coreless Greene Valley Seeds/The Page Seed Co. Cauliflower Snow Crown Agway, Inc. Cauliflower Self Blanching Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Cauliflower Early White Hybrid W. Atlee Burpee and Co. Cauliflower English Winter Purple Cape W. W. Johnson & Son Ltd. Cauliflower Early Snowball New England Seed Co. Cauliflower Snowball Improved NK Lawn and Garden Co. Celeriac Giant Prague Comstock, Ferre and Co. Celery Giant Pascal Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Celery Giant Pascal Comstock, Ferre and Co. Chicory Radicchio, Palla Rosa Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Chicory Catalogna Comstock, Ferre and Co. Chicory New England Seed Co. Chinese cabbage Jade Pagoda Agway, Inc. Chinese cabbage Bok Choi Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Chinese cabbage Orient Express W. Atlee Burpee and Co. Chinese cabbage Michili New England Seed Co. Collards Vates Agway, Inc. Col lards Vates Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Collards Georgia Comstock, Ferre and Co. Collards Georgia W. Atlee Burpee and Co. Collards Georgia New England Seed Co. Corn Early Choice Agway, Inc. Corn Ecstase II Agway, Inc. Corn Fortune Agway, Inc. Com Silver Queen Agway, Inc. Com Silver Bullet Ferry-Morse Seed Co./Better Homes&Gardens Com Golden Cross Bantam Ferry-Morse Seed Co./Better Homes&Gardens Com Sugar Dots Ferry-Morse Seed Co./D. M. Ferry Corn Silver Bullet Ferry-Morse Seed Co./D. M. Ferry Com Early Golden Bantam American Seed Com Butter and Sugar Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Corn Silver Queen Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Com Sunglow Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Corn Platinum Lady Comstock, Ferre and Co. Corn Bodacious Comstock, Ferre and Co. Corn Honey and Cream W. Atlee Burpee and Co. Standard Found 75 90 75 96 75 93 75 99 75 98 75 98 75 99 55 86 55 81 55 87 55 66 55 88 55 83 55 75 55 85 55 84 55 80 55 86 55 84 75 59* 75 92 75 97 75 98 75 100 75 91 55 56 55 89 55 80 65 76 65 89 65 80 75 96 75 96 75 97 75 99 80 94 80 96 80 96 80 98 80 98 75 96 75 95 75 100 75 100 75 98 75 98 75 99 75 98 75 98 75 100 75 100 75 98 75 98 75 99 75 97 Seed Germination and Purity Analysis 1999 Table 1 . Germination of vegetable seeds. Standards are provided by the rules and regulations of the Federal Seed Act (continued). * Does not meet label claim. Germination Plant Variety Seed Company Com Com Com Com Com Com Com Com Com Cowpea Cress Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Cucumber Dill Dill Eggplant Eggplant Eggplant Eggplant Endive Endive Endive Endive Kale Kale Kale Kale Kale Kohlrabi Kohlrabi Kohlrabi Kohlrabi Leek Leek Leek Leek Early Sunglo Kandy Kom Stowell's Kandy Kom EH Silver Queen Pride and Joy Peaches & Cream Silver Queen Sugar Dots Pink Eye Purple Hull Upland Curled Marketmore 76 Dasher II Amienian Yard Long Sumter National Pickling Poinsett 76 Boston National Pickling Marketmore 76 Lemon Slicemaster Straight Eight Mideast Prolific Spacemaster Pioneer Hybrid Boston Pickling Muncher Burpless Straight Eight Poinsett 76 Marketmore 76 Wisconsin SMR 58 Pickling Boquet High Bush Select Black Beauty Dusky Long Purple Florida Deep Heart Salad King Tres Fine Maraicher Batavian Full Heart Blue Scotch Vates, Blue Curled Red Russian Dwarf Blue Curled Vates, Dwarf Blue Curled White Vienna White Vienna Grand Duke Grand Duke Carina American Flag Broad London American Broad Flag W. Atlee Burpee and Co. Shepherd's Garden Seeds Seeds of Change New England Seed Co. New England Seed Co. New England Seed Co. Livingston Seed Co. Lake Valley Seed NK Lawn and Garden Co. Ferry-Morse Seed Co./Better Homes&Gardens Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Agway, Inc. Agway, Inc. Ferry-Morse Seed Co./Better Homes&Gardens Ferry-Morse Seed Co./Better Homes&Gardens American Seed Plantation Products, Inc. Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Comstock, Ferre and Co. Comstock, Ferre and Co. W. Atlee Burpee and Co. Seeds of Change New England Seed Co. New England Seed Co. Livingston Seed Co. Livingston Seed Co. Lake Valley Seed NK Lawn and Garden Co. Greene Valley Seeds/The Page Seed Co. Greene Valley Seeds/The Page Seed Co. Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. W. Atlee Burpee and Co. Agway, Inc. Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Comstock, Ferre and Co. New England Seed Co. Agway, Inc. Comstock, Ferre and Co. Botanical Interests, Inc. Greene Valley Seeds/The Page Seed Co. Agway, Inc. Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Comstock, Ferre and Co. Botanical Interests, Inc. NK Lawn and Garden Co. Agway, Inc. Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Comstock, Ferre and Co. New England Seed Co. Agway, Inc. Comstock, Ferre and Co. W. Atlee Burpee and Co. New England Seed Co. Standard Found 75 100 75 91 75 98 75 100 75 100 75 94 75 100 75 98 75 98 75 60 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 60 60 60 60 60 60 70 70 70 70 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 60 60 60 60 73 99 98 94 90 98 94 99 98 100 100 95 98 89 98 96 98 100 97 97 99 94 82 70 81 90 89 89 90 89 96 83 93 99 96 72 96 98 85 90 91 90 70 85 Lettuce Black Seeded Simpson Agway, Inc. 80 98 Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 961 Table 1. Germination of vegetable seeds. Standards are provided by the rules and regulations of the Federal Seed Act (continued). *=Does not meet label claim. H=Seeds remained hard at the end of the test period because they did not absorb water due to an impermeable seed coat. Germination Plant Variety Seed Company Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Lettuce Mustard Mustard Mustard Mustard New Zealand Spinach New Zealand Spinach New Zealand Spinach Okra Okra Okra Okra Okra Onion Onion Onion Onion Onion Onion Onion Onion Onion Onion Onion Onion Parsley Parsley Parsley Parsley Parsley Parsnip Parsnip Parsnip Pea Pea Pea Pea Pea Pea Pea Pea Summertime Parris Island Cos Grand Rapids Lollo Rosa Buttercrunch Iceberg Cimmaron Red Romaine Oak Leaf Little Caesar Romaine Deer Tongue Red Sails Paris Island Cos Buttercrunch Big Boston Black Seeded Simpson Grand Rapids Romaine India Southern Giant Curled Greenwave Florida Broadleaf India Clemson Spineless Emerald Clemson Spineless Clemson Spineless Cajun Delight Long White Bunching Sweet Spanish White Lisbon Bunching Southport Red Globe White Ebeneezer Evergreen Long White Bunch. Cippolini Borettana Paris Silver Skin Red Burger Master White Lisbon Utah Sweet Spanish Yellow Sweet Spanish Italian Plain Leaf Extra Triple Curled Plain Leaf Krausa Moss Curled Moss Curled All American Hollow Crown All American Dwarf White Sugar Progress Number 9 Alaska Sugar Snap Wando Melting Sugar Alaska Dwarf Telephone Agway, Inc. Ferry-Morse Seed Co./Better Homes&Gardens American Seed Plantation Products, Inc. Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Comstock, Ferre and Co. Comstock, Ferre and Co. W. Atlee Burpee and Co. Shepherd's Garden Seeds Botanical Interests, Inc. New England Seed Co. New England Seed Co. New England Seed Co. Livingston Seed Co. NK Lawn and Garden Co. Greene Valley Seeds/The Page Seed Co. Ferry-Morse Seed Co./Better Homes&Gardens Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Comstock, Ferre and Co. NK Lawn and Garden Co. Agway, Inc. Comstock, Ferre and Co. NK Lawn and Garden Co. Agway, Inc. Ferry-Morse Seed Co./Better Homes&Gardens Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. W. Atlee Burpee and Co. New England Seed Co. Agway, Inc. Agway, Inc. American Seed Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Comstock, Ferre and Co. W. Atlee Burpee and Co. Shepherd's Garden Seeds W. W. Johnson & Son Ltd. New England Seed Co. Lake Valley Seed NK Lawn and Garden Co. Greene Valley Seeds/The Page Seed Co. Agway, Inc. Ferry-Morse Seed Co./Better Homes&Gardens Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. W. W. Johnson & Son Ltd. Thompson&Morgan Agway, Inc. Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. New England Seed Co. Agway, Inc. Agway, Inc. Ferry-Morse Seed Co./Better Homes&Gardens Ferry-Morse Seed Co./Better Homes&Gardens Ferry-Morse Seed Co./Better Homes&Gardens Ferry-Morse Seed Co./D. M. Ferry American Seed Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Standard Found 80 100 80 94 80 98 80 91 80 87 80 94 80 94 80 97 80 99 80 97 80 99 80 100 80 94 80 99 80 97 80 95 80 94 75 94 75 91 75 99 75 97 40 85 40 20* 40 66 50 77 50 24+64H 50 75 50 79 50 92 70 90 70 80 70 88 70 93 70 93 70 98 70 81 70 34* 70 88 70 64 70 96 70 70 60 61 60 88 60 77 70 84 60 81 60 78 60 87 60 70 80 95 80 98 80 97 80 97 80 98 80 80 80 99 80 88 Seed Germination and Purity Analysis 1999 Table 1 . Germination of vegetable seeds. Standards are provided by the rules and regulations of the Federal Seed Act (continued). * Does not meet label claim. Germination Plant Variety Seed Company Pea Sugar Daddy Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Pea Wando Comstock, Ferre and Co. Pea Mammoth Melting Sugar Comstock, Ferre and Co. Pea Snowbird W. Atlee Burpee and Co. Pea Knight Shepherd's Garden Seeds Pea Cascadia Snap Botanical Interests, Inc. Pea Sugar Snap New England Seed Co. Pea Laxton's Progress New England Seed Co. Pea Oregon Sugar Pod II Livingston Seed Co. Pea Sugar Snap Lake Valley Seed Pea Little Marvel NK Lawn and Garden Co. Pepper Fajita Bell Agway, Inc. Pepper Staddon's Select Agway, Inc. Pepper Jalapeno M Agway, Inc. Pepper Sweet Banana Ferry-Morse Seed Co./Better Homes&Gardens Pepper Long Thin Cayenne Ferry-Morse Seed Co./Better Homes&Gardens Pepper California Wonder American Seed Pepper Cubanelle Plantation Products, Inc. Pepper California Wonder Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Pepper Jalapeno Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Pepper Ancho Comstock, Ferre and Co. Pepper Thai Comstock, Ferre and Co. Pepper Jalapeno W. Atlee Burpee and Co. Pepper Sweet Banana W. Atlee Burpee and Co. Pepper Santaka Hot Asian Botanical Interests, Inc. Pepper Early Calwonder New England Seed Co. Pepper Habanero, Caribbean Red New England Seed Co. Pepper Jalapeno NK Lawn and Garden Co. Pepper Early Calwonder Greene Valley Seeds/The Page Seed Co. Pumpkin Baby Pam Agway, Inc. Pumpkin Thomas Halloween Agway, Inc. Pumpkin Jack O'Lantern Ferry-Morse Seed Co./Better Homes&Gardens Pumpkin Big Max Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Pumpkin Small Sugar Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Pumpkin Jack O'Lantern Comstock, Ferre and Co. Pumpkin Small Sugar New England Seed Co. Pumpkin Jack O'Lantern Livingston Seed Co. Pumpkin Big Max NK Lawn and Garden Co. Radish Champion Agway, Inc. Radish Icicle Ferry-Morse Seed Co/Better Homes&Gardens Radish Early Scarlet Globe American Seed Radish Black Spanish Round Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Radish Easter Egg Mixture Comstock, Ferre and Co. Radish Salad Rose W. Atlee Burpee and Co. Radish French Breakfast New England Seed Co. Radish Sparkler NK Lawn and Garden Co. Radish Early Select Globe Greene Valley Seeds/The Page Seed Co. Rutabaga American Purple Top Agway, Inc. Rutabaga American Purple Top NK Lawn and Garden Co. Spinach Melody Agway, Inc. Spinach Bloomsdale Longstanding Ferry-Morse Seed Co./Better Homes&Gardens Spinach Giant Noble American Seed Spinach Correnta Hybrid Plantation Products, Inc. Spinach Bloomsdale Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Spinach Hybrid tt 7 Comstock, Ferre and Co. Spinach Melody W. Atlee Burpee and Co. Spinach Dark Green Bloomsdale New England Seed Co. Spinach Bloomsdale Longstanding Livingston Seed Co. Standard Found 80 79 80 93 80 82 80 100 80 99 80 94 80 91 80 97 80 97 80 96 80 93 55 93 55 75 55 87 55 62 55 62 55 72 55 64 55 62 55 90 55 81 55 80 55 96 55 55 55 92 55 61 55 94 55 76 55 55 75 90 75 93 75 98 75 81 75 97 75 72 75 97 75 99 75 44* 75 93 75 96 75 94 75 97 75 97 75 100 75 94 75 93 75 95 75 98 75 98 60 90 60 84 60 94 60 93 60 74 60 86 60 91 60 94 60 89 Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 961 Table 1. Germination of vegetable seeds. Standards are provided by the rules and regulations of the Federal Seed Act (continued). * Does not meet label claim. Germination Plant Spinach Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Squash Swiss chard Swiss chard Swiss chard Swiss chard Swiss chard Tomatillo Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Turnip Turnip Turnip Turnip Turnip Turnip Watercress Watermelon Watermelon Variety Seed Company Bloomsdale Longstanding Greene Valley Seedsn"he Page Seed Co. Black Beauty Agway, Inc. Early Prolific Straightneck Agway, Inc. Puritan Butternut Agway, Inc. Table Ace Agway, Inc. Black Beauty Ferry-Morse Seed Co./Better Homes&Gardens Waltham Butternut Ferry-Morse Seed Co./Better Homes&Gardens Buttercup Burgess Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Early Crookneck Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Zucchini, Dark Green Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Early Summer Crookneck Comstock, Ferre and Co. Peter Pan Comstock, Ferre and Co. Spaghetti Comstock, Ferre and Co. Waltham Butternut Comstock, Ferre and Co. Burpee's Hybrid Zucchini W. Atlee Burpee and Co. Waltham Butternut W. Atlee Burpee and Co. Spaghetti New England Seed Co. Blue Hubbard New England Seed Co. Goldrush New England Seed Co. Eight Ball New England Seed Co. Buttercup Livingston Seed Co. Zucchini, Dark Green Livingston Seed Co. Buttercup NK Lawn and Garden Co. Early Prolific Straightneck Greene Valley Seeds/The Page Seed Co. Fordhook Giant Agway, Inc. Large Ribbed Dark Green Ferry-Morse Seed Co./Better Homes&Gardens Rhubarb Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Rhubarb Comstock, Ferre and Co. Bright Light New England Seed Co. Toma Verde Plantation Products, Inc. Burpee Big Boy Agway, Inc. Roma VF Agway, Inc. Heinz 1370 Agway, Inc. Rutgers Ferry-Morse Seed Co/Better Homes&Gardens Red Cherry Large Fruited Ferry-Morse Seed Co/Better Homes&Gardens Italian Beefsteak Plantation Products, Inc. Red Cherry Plantation Products, Inc. Jetstar Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Marglobe Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Big Beef Comstock, Ferre and Co. Patio Comstock, Ferre and Co. Rutgers W. Atlee Burpee and Co. Big Beef New England Seed Co. Husky Gold New England Seed Co. Better Boy New England Seed Co. Super Marmande NK Lawn and Garden Co. Delicious Greene Valley Seeds/The Page Seed Co. San Marzano Greene Valley Seeds/The Page Seed Co. Seven Top Ferry-Morse Seed Co./Better Homes&Gardens Purple Top White Globe Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. Hamburg Globe Comstock, Ferre and Co. Golden Ball W. W. Johnson & Son Ltd. Purple Top White Globe New England Seed Co. Tokyo Cross Hybrid Thompson&Morgan Comstock, Ferre and Co. Sugar Baby Agway, Inc. Jubilee Ferry-Morse Seed Co/Better Homes&Gardens Standard Found 60 86 75 83 75 90 75 91 75 99 75 89 75 78 75 100 75 97 75 84 75 95 75 92 75 94 75 93 75 97 75 97 75 94 75 100 75 87 75 76 75 94 75 76 75 82 75 96 65 91 65 81 65 89 65 89 65 78 75 93 75 95 75 95 75 94 75 93 75 88 75 98 75 95 75 91 75 95 75 96 75 78 75 96 75 78 75 93 75 92 75 93 75 91 75 92 80 98 80 97 80 91 80 94 80 98 80 81 40 89 70 87 70 84 Seed Germination and Purity Analysis 1999 Table 1 . Germination of vegetable seeds. Standards are provided by the rules and regulations of the Federal Seed Act (continued). Germination Plant Variety Seed Company Standard Found Watermelon Watermelon Yellow Doll Sugar Baby Comstock, Ferre and Co. New England Seed Co. 70 70 92 86 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 % Meeting % Not Meeting Company Claims Claims Claims Agway, Inc. 50 98 2 American Seed Co. 11 100 0 Botanical Interests, Inc. 5 100 0 Comstock, Ferre and Co. 45 100 0 Ferry-Morse Seed Co./ Better Homes & Gardens 31 100 0 Ferry-Morse Seed Co./D. M, , Ferry 4 100 0 Greene Valley Seeds/The Page Seed Co. 14 100 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. 21 95 5 Plantation Products, Inc. 9 100 0 Seeds of Change 4 100 0 Shepherd's Garden Seeds 5 100 0 The Chas. C. Hart Seed Co. 50 98 2 Thompson & Morgan 4 100 0 W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 23 96 4 W. W. Johnson & Son, Ltd. 4 75 25 Thompson & Morgan 4 100 0 10 Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 961 Table 3. Summary by vegetable type of number of samples tested, germination standards, and average percent germination found. Standards are provided for by the rules and regulations of the Federal Seed Act. Plant Samples Tested Standard Artichoke 1 60 Asparagus 1 70 Bean 22 70 Bean, Lima 2 70 Beet 10 65 Broccoli 7 75 Broccoli raab 1 75 Brussels sprouts 4 70 Cabbage 9 75 Cantaloupe 7 75 Carrot 12 55 Cauliflower 6 75 Celeriac 1 55 Celery 2 55 Chicory 3 65 Chinese cabbage 4 75 Collards 5 80 Com 24 75 Cowpea 1 75 Cress 1 60 Cucumber 20 80 Dill 2 60 Eggplant 4 60 Endive 4 70 Kale 5 75 Kohlrabi 4 75 Leek 4 60 Lettuce 18 80 Mustard 4 75 New Zealand Spinach 3 40 Okra 5 50 Onion 12 70 Parsley 5 60 Parsnip 2 60 Pea 19 80 Pepper 18 55 Pumpkin 9 75 Radish 4 75 Rutabaga 2 75 Spinach 10 60 Squash 23 75 Swiss chard 5 65 Tomatillo 1 75 Tomato 18 75 Turnip 6 80 Watercress 1 40 Watermelon 5 70 Average Germination 51 96 92 48 82 95 99 95 92 96 82 90 56 85 82 97 96 98 73 99 97 76 87 91 89 92 84 96 96 57 81 81 78 78 93 75 86 95 98 88 91 86 93 92 93 89 87 Seed Germination and Purity Analysis 1999 11 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. Seed Company / Seed Mixture Purity Claim Found EAST HAVEN LANDSCAPE PROD. I A Mixture Kentucky Bluegrass 39.54 43.23 Pennant 11 Perennial Ryegrass 39.77 38.95 Creeping Red Fescue 19.69 17.06 CHAS. C. HART SEED CO. / Wear'N Tear Lawn Seed Mixture Kentucky Bluegrass 30.27 34.37 Cutter Perennial Ryegrass 14.63 Elf Perennial Ryegrass 14.61 total ryegrass 29.24 27.38 Creeping Red Fescue 34.13 27.22 Variance Tolerance 3.69 4.53 ■0.82 ■2.63 3.83 4.1 -1.86 -6.91 3.51^ 4.88 4.31* Germination Claim Found 85 85 90 94 85 78 80 83 90 97 90 97 85 90 NEW ENGLAND SEED CO. / New England Shade Lawn Seed Boardwalk Perennial Ryegrass 29.66 32.92 3.26 3.78 Creeping Red Fescue 39.50 Chewings Fescue 29.58 total fine fescue 69.08 65.29 -3.79 3.81 90 96 85 84 85 84 NEW ENGLAND SEED CO. / Putnam Co-Op Landscape 85 Mix Kentucky Bluegrass Manhattan II Perennial Ryegrass Annual Ryegrass total ryegrass Creeping Red Fescue Chewings Fescue total fine fescue 17.17 19.57 14.49 34.06 19.67 24.68 44.35 19.47 34.02 2.3 -0.04 5.12 4.31 80 94 90 90 90 90 85 89 85 89 42.89 -1.46 3.79 AG WAY, INC. / Agway Sunny Green Grass Seed Mixture Aaron Kentucky Bluegrass 34.00 42.92 8.92 3.94* Premier II Perennial Ryegrass 28.00 26.78 -1.28 4.84 Boreal Fescue 9.65 Creeping Red Fescue 24. 1 8 total fine fescue 33.95 28.33 -5.50 4.31* 80 91 85 95 85 97 85 97 LEBANON SEABOARD CORP. / Mackey 's Premium Finest Mixture Baron Kentucky Bluegrass Affinity Perennial Ryegrass Statesman Perennial Ryegrass AUstar Perennial Ryegrass total perennial ryegrass Franklin Creeping Red Fescue 24.81 27.67 19.39 19.38 9.91 48.68 48.84 24.35 21.72 2.86 3.02 0.16 -2.63 4.66 3.54 85 90 90 89 90 89 90 89 85 83 12 Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 961 Table 4 (continued). 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. Seed Company / Seed Mixture LEBANON SEABOARD CORP. / M Kentucky Bluegrass Perennial Ryegrass Annual Ryegrass total ryegrass 87.82 82.16 -5.66 1.86* LESCO, INC. / Lesco Shade Seed Mixture Purity Germination Claim Found Variance Tolerance Claim Found y 's Economy Mixture 8.50 12.93 4.43 1.47* 80 92 9.99 90 94 77.83 90 94 Shamrock Kentucky Bluegrass 14.79 18.75 3.96 2.09* Legacy Perennial Ryegrass 14.70 15.56 0.86 3.69 Shaderock Creeping Red Fescue Brittany Chewings Fescue total fine fescue 69.25 63.86 -5.39 3.18* LESCO, Inc. / Lesco Eagle Blend Plus Blue Seed Mixture Shamrock Kentucky Bluegrass 25.06 32.71 7.65 3.32* Stardance Perennial Ryegrass Linedrive Perennial Ryegrass Legacy II Perennial Ryegrass total perennial ryegrass 73.09 66.01 -7.08 3.68* LESCO, INC. / Lesco Park and Athletic Seed Mixture Shamrock Kentucky Bluegrass 32.73 39.10 6.37 3.94* Linedrive Perennial Ryegrass 31.51 31.79 0.28 4.88 Creeping Red Fescue 32.75 26.70 -6.05 4.28* SALEM COUNTRY GARDENS / Salem Country Gardens Contractor's Mix Kentucky 85 Kentucky E Muegrass 13.25 4.60 8.65 1.19* Perennial Ryegrass Annual Ryegrass total ryegrass 83.32 79.68 -3.64 2.24* Creeping Red Fescue 9.79 3.05 -6.74 1.4* 85 96 90 96 90 92 90 92 80 91 90 94 90 94 90 94 90 89 90 98 90 87 80 91 85 96 85 96 85 90 The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer. 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