Connecticut New Haven Seed Germination and Purity Analysis— 2003 BY SHARON M. DOUGALS AND MARY K. INMAN s Bulletin 989 December 2003 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from LYRASIS members and Sloan Foundation http://www.archive.org/details/seedgerminationp989doug Official samples of 370 vegetable, 11 lawn, and 7 crop seed were collected by inspectors from the Bureau of Regulation and Inspection of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture for testing in 2003. 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 16 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 370 vegetable seed samples tested, three did not meet their label claims for germination 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 labeled 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. Two of the 1 1 lawn seed samples tested met label claims for both purity and germination. Nine samples did not meet claims for purity but passed label claims for germination. Table 5 shows the results of purity and germination tests for crop seed samples. All seven samples met label claims for germination and purity. In addition to germination and purity tests, samples were also examined for prohibited noxious weeds. One sample contained 5 noxious weed seeds and was reported to the Seed Control Official. Analyses were performed by Mary K. Inman and Dr. Sharon M. Douglas. Samples were collected by Alton A. Blodgett, Seed Control Official and John Schneider. 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. H= Seeds remained hard at the end of the test period because they did not absorb water due to an impermeable seed coat. Plant Variety Seed Company Standard Germ Found Artichoke Green Globe Comstock, Ferre and Co. 60 57 Bean Bean Bean Bean Bean Bean Bean Bean Bean Bean Bean Bean Bean Bean Bean Bean Bean Bean Bean Bean Bean Blue Lake 274 Blue Lake 274 Bush Blue Lake Pole Brittle Wax Bush Cherokee Wax Derby Green Crop Highway Italian Bush Jade Stringless Kentucky King Bush Kentucky Wonder 125 Kentucky Wonder Pole Kentucky Wonder Pole Kinghom Pencil Pod Black Wax Provider Purple Teepee Bush Roma II Romano Bush Top Crop Fredonia Seeds Walmart Gardens/Ferry Morse Seed Co. Comstock, Ferre and Co. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. New England Seed Co. The Page Seed Co. NK Lawn and Garden Co. Excel Seeds Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. New England Seed Co. W. Atlee Burpee and Co. Agway, Inc. Seeds of Change (Certified Organic) Walmart Gardens/Ferry Morse Seed Co. Charles C. Hart Seed Co. NK Lawn and Garden Co. Charles C. Hart Seed Co. Botanical Interests, Inc. Comstock, Ferre and Co. The Page Seed Co. American Seed 75 81 75 93 75 73+1 4H 75 88 75 99 75 93 75 82 75 69 75 89 75 73 75 69 75 98 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 97 98 80 97 92 93 80 96 97 Bean, lima Bean, lima Burpee Improved Henderson Bush Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 70 50* Agway, Inc. 70 84 Beet Beet Beet Beet Beet Beet Beet Beet Beet Beet Beet Beet Bull's Blood Chioggia Cylindra Detroit Dark Red Detroit Dark Red Detroit Dark Red Detroit Dark Red, Morse's Strain Early Wonder Early Wonder Early Wonder G. T. Little Ball Lutz Green Leaf Comstock, Ferre and Co. Burpee's Heirlooms/W. Atlee 65 91 ouipoxs a uu. 65 85 The Page Seed Co. 65 88 American Seed 65 76 Excel Seeds 65 83 NK Lawn and Garden Co. 65 83 Walmart Gardens/Ferry Morse Seed Co. 65 87 Agway, Inc. 65 67 Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 65 55 New England Seed Co. 65 89 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. 65 87 The Page Seed Co. 65 79 Table 1 (continued). Germination of vegetable seeds. Standards are provided by the rules and regulations of the Federal Seed Act. * = 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. Plant Variety Broccoli Calabrese Broccoli Calabrese Broccoli Green Goliath Broccoli Premium Crop Broccoli Southern Comet Broccoli Super Blend Broccoli Waltham Broccoli Waltham 29 Broccoli Waltham 29 Broccoli raab Early Pugliese Broccoli raab Spring Seed Company Standard Germ Found Brussels sprouts Catskill Brussels sprouts Catskill Brussels sprouts Long Island Improved Brussels sprouts Long Island Improved American Seed Charles C. Hart Seed Co. W. Atlee Burpee and Co. New England Seed Co. Agway, Inc. Botanical Interests, Inc. Comstock, Ferre and Co. Excel Seeds NK Lawn and Garden Co. New England Seed Co. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. Agway, Inc. Walmart Gardens/Ferry Morse Seed Co. Charles C. Hart Seed Co. Comstock, Ferre and Co. Cabbage All Seasons Hybrid Blend NK Lawn and Garden Co. Cabbage Copenhagen Comstock, Ferre and Co. Cabbage Copenhagen Market The Page Seed Co. Cabbage Dynamo New England Seed Co. Cabbage Earliana Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. Cabbage Early Golden Acre American Seed Cabbage Premium Flat Dutch Charles C. Hart Seed Co. Cabbage Royal Savoy Agway, Inc. Cantaloupe Bush Star New England Seed Co. Cantaloupe Hale's Best Charles C. Hart Seed Co. Cantaloupe Hale's Best Excel Seeds Cantaloupe Iroquois Comstock, Ferre and Co. Cantaloupe Iroquois Fredonia Seeds Carrot Chantenay American Seed Carrot Danvers Comstock, Ferre and Co. Carrot Danvers 126 Walmart Gardens/Ferry Morse Seed Co Carrot Danvers Half Long W. Atlee Burpee and Co. Carrot Imperator Charles C. Hart Seed Co. Carrot Little Finger Charles C. Hart Seed Co. Carrot Little Fingers New England Seed Co. Carrot Red Cored Chantenay The Page Seed Co. Carrot Scarlet Nantes NK Lawn and Garden Co. Carrot Short 'N Sweet Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. 75 80 75 87 75 88 75 87 75 85 75 94 75 90 75 68 75 92 75 88 75 95 70 88 70 90 70 90 70 97 75 73 75 98 75 88 75 97 75 98 75 92 75 86 75 87 75 100 75 95 75 86 75 90 75 84 55 84 55 90 55 83 55 87 55 95 55 82 55 86 55 74 55 88 55 76 Table 1 (continued). Germination of vegetable seeds. Standards are provided by the rules and regulations of the Federal Seed Act. * = 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. Plant Variety Seed Company Standard Germ Found Carrot Tendersweet Carrot Yellowstone Cauliflower Broccoverde Cauliflower Early Snowball Cauliflower Early Snowball Cauliflower Snow Crown Cauliflower Snowball X Excel Seeds 55 Agway, Inc. 55 Comstock, Ferre and Co. 75 Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 75 New England Seed Co. 75 Agway, Inc. 75 American Seed 75 71 82 97 95 85 97 89 Celeriac Giant Smooth Prague Comstock, Ferre and Co. 55 59 Celery Giant Pascal Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 55 92 Celery Golden Self Blanching Comstock, Ferre and Co. 55 85 Celery Utah New England Seed Co. 55 92 Chicory Italian Dandelion New England Seed Co. 65 83 Chicory Spadona Verde Comstock, Ferre and Co. 65 81 Chicory Witloof Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 65 72 Chinese cabbage Bok Choi Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 75 90 Chinese cabbage Jade Pagoda Agway, Inc. 75 97 Chinese cabbage Joi Choi, Pak Choi Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. 75 99 Chinese cabbage Orient Express W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 75 91 Chinese cabbage Rosette Bok Choi Botanical Interests, Inc. 75 98 Collards Georgia Comstock, Ferre and Co. 80 94 Collards Georgia New England Seed Co. 80 96 Collards Georgia W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 80 92 Collards Georgia Green Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 80 88 Collards Vates Agway, Inc. 80 93 Collards Vates SeedWay 80 93 Corn Bodacious Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 75 97 Corn Butter and Sugar Agway, Inc. 75 100 Corn Butter and Sugar Comstock, Ferre and Co. 75 99 Corn Butter and Sugar Fredonia Seeds 75 88 Corn Country Gentleman Burpee's HeirloomsA/V. Atlee Burpee & Co. 75 98 Corn Early and Often W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 75 99 Corn Early Golden Bantam American Seed 75 92 Corn Early Sunglow Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. 75 98 Corn Golden Bantam Comstock, Ferre and Co. 75 94 Corn Golden Beauty Excel Seeds 75 97 Corn Golden Beauty The Page Seed Co. 75 99 Corn Honeybutter NK Lawn and Garden Co. 75 85 Corn Kandy Korn Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 75 98 Table 1 (continued). Germination of vegetable seeds. Standards are provided by the rules and regulations of the Federal Seed Act. * = 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. Plant Variety Seed Company Standard Germ Found Corn Mini Ear Corn Quickie Corn Rainbow Inca Corn Seneca Horizon Corn Silver Queen Corn Silver Queen Corn Sugar Dots Cornsalad Big Seeded Cornsalad New England Seed Co. New England Seed Co. Seeds of Change (Certified Organic) Agway, Inc. Charles C. Hart Seed Co. Walmart Gardens/Ferry Morse Seed Co. Walmart Gardens/Ferry Morse Seed Co. Botanical Interests, Inc. Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 75 86 75 94 75 95 75 97 75 100 75 97 75 98 70 83 70 93 Cowpea California No. 5 Black-eyed Pea Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. 75 70 Cress, upland Cucumber Burpless Cucumber Cross Country Hybrid Cucumber Marketmore 76 Cucumber Marketmore 76 Cucumber Marketmore 76 Cucumber National Pickling Cucumber National Pickling Cucumber Slicemaster Cucumber Slicemaster Cucumber Straight Eight Cucumber Straight Eight Cucumber Straight Eight Cucumber West Indian Gherkin Cucumber Wisconsin Pickling Cucumber Wisconsin SMR 58 Dill Bouquet Dill Bouquet Dill Dukat Dill Fern Leaf Dill Fern Leaf Dill Long Island Mammoth Dill Eggplant Black Beauty Eggplant Black Beauty Eggplant Black Beauty Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 60 79 New England Seed Co. 80 94 Walmart Gardens/Ferry Morse Seed Co. 80 94 Agway, Inc. 80 97 Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 80 95 The Page Seed Co. 80 95 American Seed 80 81 Fredonia Seeds 80 91 Comstock, Ferre and Co. 80 97 New England Seed Co. 80 99 Botanical Interests, Inc. 80 98 NK Lawn and Garden Co. 80 95 W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 80 96 Comstock, Ferre and Co. 80 96 Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 80 99 Agway, Inc. 80 99 Botanical Interests, Inc. 60 70 Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 60 82 Agway, Inc. 60 71 Comstock, Ferre and Co. 60 92 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. 60 94 NK Lawn and Garden Co. 60 74 Fredonia Seeds 60 69 American Seed 60 88 Botanical Interests, Inc. 60 95 Comstock, Ferre and Co. 60 78 Table 1 (continued). Germination of vegetable seeds. Standards are provided by the rules and regulations of the Federal Seed Act. * = 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. Plant Variety Seed Company Standard Germ Found Eggplant Black Beauty The Page Seed Co. 60 85 Eggplant Black Beauty Walmart Gardens/Ferry Morse Seed Co. 60 82 Eggplant Burpee Hybrid W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 60 93 Eggplant Ducky New England Seed Co. 60 93 Eggplant High Bush Select Agway, Inc. 60 84 Eggplant Vittoria Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 60 78 Endive Batavian Full Heart New England Seed Co. 70 88 Endive Broad Leaf Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 70 83 Endive Green Curled Excel Seeds 70 74 Endive Green Curled Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. 70 97 Endive Green Ruffle Agway, Inc. 70 93 Endive Green Ruffle SeedWay 70 100 Endive Salad King Comstock, Ferre and Co. 70 69 Kale Blue Scotch Agway, Inc. 75 98 Kale Nero Toscana (Black Tuscan) Botanical Interests, Inc. 75 93 Kale Red Russian Comstock, Ferre and Co. 75 98 Kale Red Russian Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. 75 84 Kale Vates Blue Curled Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 75 86 Kale Vates Dwarf Blue Curled New England Seed Co. 75 97 Kale Vates Dwarf Blue Curled W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 75 96 Kohlrabi Early Purple Vienna Agway, Inc. 75 80 Kohlrabi Early White Vienna Walmart Gardens/Ferry Morse Seed Co. 75 92 Kohlrabi White Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 75 93 Kohlrabi Winner New England Seed Co. 75 95 Leek American Broad Flag New England Seed Co. 60 92 Leek American Flag Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 60 93 Leek American Flag Walmart Gardens/Ferry Morse Seed Co. 60 93 Leek Carina Agway, Inc. 60 95 Lettuce Black Seeded Simpson American Seed 80 76 Lettuce Black Seeded Simpson Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 80 95 Lettuce Black Seeded Simpson Excel Seeds 80 94 Lettuce Burpee Bibb W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 80 95 Lettuce Burpee's Iceberg W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 80 94 Lettuce Buttercrunch The Page Seed Co. 80 93 Lettuce Butterhead Bibb Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. 80 85 Lettuce Cimmaron Cos Botanical Interests, Inc. 80 82 Lettuce Grand Rapids Fredonia Seeds 80 97 Table 1 (continued). Germination of vegetable seeds. Standards are provided by the rules and regulations of the Federal Seed Act. * = 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. Plant Variety Seed Company Lettuce Great Lakes Charles C. Hart Seed Co. Lettuce Great Lakes New England Seed Co. Lettuce Great Lakes 118 Walmart Gardens/Ferry Morse Seed Co. Lettuce Mesclun, Q's Special Medley Botanical Interests, Inc. Lettuce Oakleaf New England Seed Co. Lettuce Paris Island Cos Agway, Inc. Lettuce Parris Island Comstock, Ferre and Co. Lettuce Prize Head NK Lawn and Garden Co. Lettuce Red Sails New England Seed Co. Lettuce Rouge D'Hiver Seeds of Change (Certified Organic) Lettuce Ruby Red The Page Seed Co. Lettuce Salad Bowl Walmart Gardens/Ferry Morse Seed Co. Lettuce Summer Bibb Comstock, Ferre and Co. Lettuce Summertime Agway, Inc. Mustard Florida Broad Leaf Excel Seeds Mustard Green Wave New England Seed Co. Mustard Mizuna Seeds of Change (Certified Organic) Mustard Red Giant Comstock, Ferre and Co. Mustard Southern Giant Curled Charles C. Hart Seed Co. Mustard Spinach, Tendergreen The Page Seed Co. New Zealand spinach Agway, Inc. New Zealanc i spinach Comstock, Ferre and Co. Standard 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 75 75 75 75 75 75 40 40 Germ Found 81 88 84 85 83 91 97 86 94 76 76 94 98 94 83 94 99 94 98 98 80 82 Okra Clemson Spineless Okra Clemson Spineless Okra Clemson Spineless Okra Perkins Mammoth Onion Candy Onion Dulce Grande Hybrid Onion Evergreen White Bunching Onion Evergreen White Bunching Onion Evergreen White Bunching Onion Florence Red Onion Red Burgemaster Onion Southport White Bunching Onion Stockton Red Onion Utah Jumbo Yellow Spanish Agway, Inc. 50 94 Comstock, Ferre and Co. 50 74 NK Lawn and Garden Co. 50 59+39H Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 50 49+46H Agway, Inc. 70 88 American Seed 70 74 Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 70 88 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. 70 84 Walmart Gardens/Ferry Morse Seed Co. 70 92 W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 70 74 New England Seed Co. 70 88 The Page Seed Co. 70 76 Seeds of Change (Certified Organic) 70 93 Walmart Gardens/Ferry Morse Seed Co. 70 93 Table 1 (continued). Germination of vegetable seeds. Standards are provided by the rules and regulations of the Federal Seed Act. * = 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. Plant Onion Walla Walla Onion Wethersfield Red Onion White Lisbon Bunching Onion Yellow Spanish Parsley Extra Curled Dwarf Parsley Extra Triple Curled Parsley Forest Green Parsley Hamburg Rooted Parsley Italian Flat Leaf Parsley Italian Flat Leaf Parsley Moss Curled Parsley Moss Curled Parsley Plain Leaf Parsnip All American Parsnip All American Parsnip Hollow Crown Parsnip Hollow Crown Pea Alaska Pea Cascadia Pea Dakota Pea Dwarf Gray Sugar Pea Dwarf White Sugar Pea Early Perfection Pea Green Arrow Pea Lincoln Pea Little Marvel Pea Little Marvel Pea Mammoth Melting Sugar Pea Melting Sugar Pea Mr. Big Pea Oregon Sugar Pod II Pea Pioneer Pea Sugar Snap Pea Sugar Snap Pea Wando Pea Wando Standard Germ Found Comstock, Ferre and Co. Comstock, Ferre and Co. NK Lawn and Garden Co. Charles C. Hart Seed Co. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. Walmart Gardens/Ferry Morse Seed Co. Agway, Inc. Comstock, Ferre and Co. American Seed NK Lawn and Garden Co. Comstock, Ferre and Co. New England Seed Co. Charles C. Hart Seed Co. Agway, Inc. New England Seed Co. Charles C. Hart Seed Co. The Page Seed Co. Walmart Gardens/Ferry Morse Seed Co. Botanical Interests, Inc. New England Seed Co. Charles C. Hart Seed Co. Agway, Inc. Excel Seeds Fredonia Seeds Charles C. Hart Seed Co. American Seed The Page Seed Co. Comstock, Ferre and Co. Walmart Gardens/Ferry Morse Seed Co. Agway, Inc. NK Lawn and Garden Co. Seeds of Change (Certified Organic) Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. New England Seed Co. Comstock, Ferre and Co. W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 70 86 70 55* 70 95 70 76 60 61 60 67 60 77 60 28* 60 60 60 76 60 69 60 73 60 62 60 78 60 82 60 81 60 72 80 99 80 80 80 91 80 99 80 96 80 88 80 87 80 96 80 95+2H 80 91+1H 80 86 80 94 80 97 80 92+1 H 80 90 80 91+2H 80 88 80 86+9H 80 95+1 H Pepper Anaheim Comstock, Ferre and Co. 55 73 Table 1 (continued). Germination of vegetable seeds. Standards are provided by the rules and regulations of the Federal Seed Act. * = 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. Plant Variety Seed Company Standard Germ Found Pepper California Wonder Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 55 67 Pepper California Wonder Excel Seeds 55 60 Pepper California Wonder Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. 55 74 Pepper California Wonder NK Lawn and Garden Co. 55 95 Pepper Cayenne Large Red Thick Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. 55 60 Pepper Chinese Giant Burpee's Heirlooms/W. Atlee Burpee & Co. 55 85 Pepper Cubanelle New England Seed Co. 55 73 Pepper Early Calwonder The Page Seed Co. 55 68 Pepper Habanero Comstock, Ferre and Co. 55 70 Pepper Habanero W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 55 79 Pepper Jalapeno Chile NK Lawn and Garden Co. 55 93 Pepper Long Thin Cayenne Walmart Gardens/Ferry Morse Seed Co. 55 77 Pepper Marconi Rosso Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 55 66 Pepper Mulato Comstock, Ferre and Co. 55 76 Pepper Red Beauty New England Seed Co. 55 64 Pepper Red Cherry Hot Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 55 89 Pepper Red Cherry Hot New England Seed Co. 55 81 Pepper Red Ruffled Pimiento Seeds of Change (Certified Organic) 55 74 Pepper Serrano Tampiqueno Botanical Interests, Inc. 55 80 Pepper Staddon's Select SeedWay 55 94 Pepper Sweet Banana Agway, Inc. 55 77 Pepper Sweet Banana W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 55 86 Pumpkin Big Max Agway, Inc. 75 89 Pumpkin Big Max Comstock, Ferre and Co. 75 81 Pumpkin Connecticut Field Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 75 97 Pumpkin Howden New England Seed Co. 75 97 Pumpkin Jack Be Little New England Seed Co. 75 95 Pumpkin Jack O'Lantern American Seed 75 86 Radish All Seasons White Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. 75 92 Radish Champion Agway, Inc. 75 100 Radish Cherry Belle Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 75 99 Radish Cherry Belle NK Lawn and Garden Co. 75 98 Radish China Rose Comstock, Ferre and Co. 75 96 Radish Round Black Spanish Seeds of Change (Certified Organic) 75 96 Radish Salad Rose W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 75 95 Radish Sparkler Walmart Gardens/Ferry Morse Seed Co. 75 100 Radish White Icicle American Seed 75 81 Table 1 (continued). Germination of vegetable seeds. Standards are provided by the rules and regulations of the Federal Seed Act. * = 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. Plant Variety Seed Company Standard Germ Found Rocket New England Seed Co. 75 91 Rutabaga Improved Purple Top Comstock, Ferre and Co. 75 98 Rutabaga Improved Purple Top Yellow New England Seed Co. 75 92 Sage Broad Leaf Agway, Inc. 60 87 Sage Broad Leaf Botanical Interests, Inc. 60 97 Sage Broad Leaf Comstock, Ferre and Co. 60 88 Sage Broad Leaf New England Seed Co. 60 97 Sage Broad Leaf Walmart Gardens/Ferry Morse Seed Co. 60 90 Sage Clary Seeds of Change (Certified Organic) 60 79 Sage Common W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 60 82 Spinach Bloomsdale Comstock, Ferre and Co. 60 94 Spinach Bloomsdale Longstanding Excel Seeds 60 80 Spinach Bloomsdale Longstanding Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. 60 88 Spinach Bloomsdale Longstanding NK Lawn and Garden Co. 60 90 Spinach Bloomsdale Longstanding The Page Seed Co. 60 93 Spinach Correnta American Seed 60 97 Spinach Correnta Botanical Interests, Inc. 60 97 Spinach Melody Agway, Inc. 60 96 Spinach Melody New England Seed Co. 60 94 Spinach Melody W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 60 93 Spinach Teton Walmart Gardens/Ferry Morse Seed Co. 60 93 Squash Black Beauty NK Lawn and Garden Co. 75 93 Squash Blue Hubbard SeedWay 75 93 Squash Burpee's Fordhook Zucchini W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 75 92 Squash Buttercup NK Lawn and Garden Co. 75 71 Squash Butternut The Page Seed Co. 75 98 Squash Cocozelle New England Seed Co. 75 88 Squash Crookneck Bush Comstock, Ferre and Co. 75 93 Squash Early Crookneck Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 75 86 Squash Early Prolific Straightneck Agway, Inc. 75 92 Squash Early Prolific Straightneck Fredonia Seeds 75 82 Squash Early Yellow Crookneck Botanical Interests, Inc. 75 95 Squash Hasta la Pasta W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 75 100 Squash Patty Pan New England Seed Co. 75 98 Squash Puritan Butternut Agway, Inc. 75 97 Squash Spaghetti New England Seed Co. 75 99 Squash Table Ace Acorn Agway, Inc. 75 96 Squash Table Queen Comstock, Ferre and Co. 75 92 Squash Turk's Turban Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 75 92 Table 1 (continued). Germination of vegetable seeds. Standards are provided by the rules and regulations of the Federal Seed Act. * = 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. Plant Variety Seed Company Standard Germ Found Squash Yellow Crookneck Walmart Gardens/Ferry Morse Seed Co. 75 91 Swiss chard Bright Lights Agway, Inc. 65 91 Swiss chard Fordhook Giant Comstock, Ferre and Co. 65 84 Swiss chard Fordhook Giant New England Seed Co. 65 79 Swiss chard Fordhook Giant NK Lawn and Garden Co. 65 84 Swiss chard Large Ribbed Dark Green Walmart Gardens/Ferry Morse Seed Co. 75 77 Swiss chard Lucullus Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 65 84 Swiss chard Rhubarb The Page Seed Co. 65 82 Tomatillo Toma Verde Comstock, Ferre and Co. 50 93 Tomatillo Toma Verde Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. 50 98 Tomato Beefsteak The Page Seed Co. 75 76 Tomato Big Boy New England Seed Co. 75 92 Tomato Delicious The Page Seed Co. 75 76 Tomato Husky Gold Comstock, Ferre and Co. 75 75 Tomato Jet Star Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 75 89 Tomato Large Red Cherry Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 75 96 Tomato Oregon Spring Comstock, Ferre and Co. 75 81 Tomato Roma VF American Seed 75 92 Tomato Roma VF Fredonia Seeds 75 74 Tomato Rutgers Walmart Gardens/Ferry Morse Seed Co. 75 87 Tomato Super Beefsteak W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 75 94 Tomato Super Sweet 100 NK Lawn and Garden Co. 75 95 Tomato Tiny Tim New England Seed Co. 75 86 Tomato Yellow Pear Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. 75 92 Turnip Purple Top White Globe American Seed 80 95 Turnip Purple Top White Globe New England Seed Co. 80 99 Turnip Purple Top White Globe W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 80 97 Turnip Seven Top New England Seed Co. 80 97 Turnip Seven Top Greens Excel Seeds 80 100 Watermelon Crimson Sweet W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 70 98 Watermelon Kleckley's Sweet Comstock, Ferre and Co. 70 95 Watermelon Sugar Baby Agway, Inc. 70 95 Watermelon Sugar Baby Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 70 94 Watermelon Sugar Baby Fredonia Seeds 70 97 Watermelon Sugar Baby New England Seed Co. 70 96 Watermelon Sugar Baby Walmart Gardens/Ferry Morse Seed Co. 70 94 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 Number of Claims % Meeting Claims % Not Meeting Claims Agway, Inc. American Seed 39 18 100 94 0 6 Botanical Interests, Inc. 15 100 0 Burpee's Heirlooms/W. Atlee Burpee & Co. 3 100 0 Charles C. Hart Seed Co. 49 98 2 Comstock, Ferre & Co. 48 96 4 Excel Seeds 13 100 1 Freedonia Seeds 10 100 0 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. 22 100 0 New England Seed Co. 48 100 0 NK Lawn and Garden Co. 22 100 0 Seeds of Change (Certified Organic) 9 100 0 Seedway 4 100 0 The Page Seed Co. 21 100 0 W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 23 100 0 Walmart Gardens/Ferry Morse Seed Co. 26 100 0 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 Germination Average Germination Artichoke 1 Bean 21 Bean, lima 2 Beet 12 Broccoli 9 Broccoli raab 2 Brussels sprouts Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot 4 8 5 12 Cauliflower 5 Celeriac 1 Celery Chicory Chinese cabbage Collards 3 3 5 6 Corn 20 Cornsalad 2 Cowpea Cress, upland Cucumber 1 1 15 Dili 7 Eggplant Endive 9 7 Kale 7 Kohlrabi 4 Leek 4 Lettuce 23 Mustard 6 New Zealand spinach Okra 2 4 Onion 14 Parsley Parsnip Pea 9 4 19 Pepper Pumpkin Radish 23 6 9 Rocket 1 Rutabaga Sage Spinach Squash Swiss chard 2 7 11 19 7 Tomatillo 2 Tomato 14 Turnip 5 Watermelon 7 60 70 70 65 75 75 70 75 75 55 75 55 55 65 75 80 75 70 75 60 80 60 60 70 75 75 60 80 75 40 50 70 60 60 80 55 75 75 75 75 60 60 75 65 50 75 80 70 57 88 67 81 86 92 91 90 91 83 93 59 90 79 95 93 96 88 70 79 95 79 86 86 93 90 93 89 94 81 90 83 64 78 93 77 91 95 91 95 89 92 92 83 96 86 98 96 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 Claim. * = Does not meet label claim. Seed Company ' Seed Mixture Purity Claim Purity Found Variance Tolerance Germination Claim Germination Found Blue Seal Feeds, Inc Blue Seal Early Green Lawn Mixture Kentucky Bluegrass 14.80 15.64 0.84 1.87 85 - 93 Perennial Ryegrass 48.86 90 91 Annual Ryegrass 9.82 85 91 total Ryegrass 58.68 59.76 1.08 4.19 Creeping Red Fescue 24.44 22.92 -1.52 2.96 85 88 Blue Seal Feeds, Inc. Blue Seal Classic Lawn Seed Mixture Kentucky Bluegrass 34.48 40.93 6.45 3.94* 85 93 Accent Perennial Ryegrass 19.74 85 96 Allstar Perennial Ryegrass 19.49 90 96 total Perennial Ryegrass 39.23 36.94 -2.29 5.38 Creeping Red Fescue 24.63 19.82 -4.81 3.54* 85 86 The Scotts Company Scotts Pure Premium Sun and Shade Grass Seed Mixture Abbey Kentucky Bluegrass 29.71 32.92 3.21 3.51 87 96 Divine Perennial Ryegrass 28.55 90 91 Enchanted Perennial Ryegrass 9.65 90 91 total Perennial Ryegrass 38.20 37.75 -0.45 4.86 Fenway Creeping Red Fescue 29.63 28.71 -0.92 3.72 87 91 The Scotts Company Scotts Turf Builder Fall Seeding Mixture Kenblue Kentucky Bluegrass 9.75 11.55 1.80 1.47* 85 89 Pearl Perennial Ryegrass 78.68 80.03 1.35 2.41 90 96 Boreal Creeping Red Fescue 9.62 7.09 -2.53 1.96* 85 83 Lesco, Inc. Lesco Premium Sun and Shade Mixture Shamrock Kentucky Bluegrass 29.62 34.42 4.80 3.51* 90 94 Laredo Perennial Ryegrass 37.89 38.39 0.50 4.86 90 93 Shademark Red Fescue 14.85 90 97 Shadow II Chewings Fescue 14.78 90 97 total Fine Fescue 29.63 25.48 -4.15 3.67* The Charles C. Hart Seed Co. Holdridge Custom All Purpose Lawn Seed Mixture Kentucky Bluegrass 14.27 15.26 0.99 1.86 85 84 Prizm Perennial Ryegrass 34.58 90 94 Express Perennial Ryegrass 29.34 90 94 total Perennial Ryegrass 63.92 62.01 -1.91 3.70 85 92 Creeping Red Fescue 19.51 16.69 -2.82 2.76* 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 Claim. * = Does not meet label claim. Seed Company Seed Mixture Purity Purity Germination Germination Claim Found Variance Tolerance Claim Found The Charles C. Hart Seed Co. Holdridge Contractors' Lawn Seed Mixture Kentucky Bluegrass 8.86 12.34 3.48 1.50* Perennial Ryegrass 9.81 Annual Ryegrass 78.56 total Ryegrass 88.37 85.21 -3.16 1.68* 80 90 90 77 94 94 Salem Country Gardens Salem Country Gardens Contractors' Mix Perennial Ryegrass Annual Ryegrass total Ryegrass Creeping Red Fescue 39.75 49.75 89.50 91.24 1.74 1.70' 9.92 8.08 -1.84 1.70' 96 95 92 92 92 85 New England Seed Co. Putnam Co-Op Landscape Mix Kentucky Bluegrass 18.34 22.12 3.78 2.44* Racer Perennial Ryegrass 24.00 Annual Ryegrass 14.98 total Ryegrass 38.98 35.50 -3.48 4.86 Creeping Red Fescue 19.70 Chewings Fescue 19.68 total Fine Fescue 39.38 38.41 -0.97 3.81 80 88 90 90 90 90 85 87 85 87 Lebanon Seaboard Corp. Mackey's Athletic Mixture Baron Kentucky Bluegrass Affirmed Perennial Ryegrass Titan Tall Fescue Masterpiece Tall Fescue total Tall Fescue 9.87 13.03 3.16 1.45* 85 84 9.81 11.26 1.45 2.19 90 94 39.89 85 89 39.61 85 89 79.50 74.09 -5.41 2.62* Lebanon Mackey's Premium Finest Seaboard Corp. Mixture Raven Kentucky Bluegrass Buccaneer Perennial Ryegrass Rodeo Perennial Ryegrass total Perennial Ryegrass Creeping Red Fescue 24.79 30.53 5.74 3.12* 85 88 29.56 90 92 29.28 90 92 58.84 55.52 -3.32 4.53 14.84 12.62 -2.22 2.95 85 91 Table 5. Germination and purity of crop seed. Germination Germination Seed Mixture Seed Company Purity Claim Purity Found Claim Found Oats* ASP Ag Products 98.9 95.3 88.0 94.0 White Wheat ASP Ag Products 96.0 98.3 93.0 88.0 Hairy Vetch Southern States Co-op. 99.9 99.7 91.0 91.0 Rye, Common ASP Ag Products 96.0 97.8 93.0 88.0 Rye Ventura Grain Products, Inc. 95.0 98.8 85.0 91.0 Rye Southern States Co-op 98.0 99.9 85.0 90.0 Orchardgrass Blue Seal Feeds, Inc. 95.4 97.4 85.0 89.0 *Sample passed purity but contained 5 noxious weed seeds. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, religious creed, age, political beliefs, sexual orientation, criminal conviction record, genetic information, learning disability, present or past history of mental disorder, mental retardation or physical disability including but not limited to blindness, or marital or family status. To file a complaint of discrimination, write Director, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, P.O. Box 1106, New Haven, CT 06504, or call (203) 974-8440. CAES is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Persons with disabilities who require alternate means of communication of program information should contact the Chief of Services at (203) 974-8442 (voice); (203) 974-8502 (FAX); or Michael. Last@po.state.ct. us (E-mail). University of Connecticut Libraries 39153029328053