The Conn s H3 • EM rwrqy Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, Seed Germination and Purity Analysis — 2004 Afew Haven BY SHARON M. DOUGLAS AND MARY K. INMAN Bulletin 994 May 2004 SEED GERMINATION AND PURITY ANALYSIS 2004 Sharon M. Douglas and Mary K. Inman Official samples of 350 vegetable, 15 lawn, and 4 crop seed were collected by inspectors from the Bureau of Regulation and Inspection of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture for testing in 2004. 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 12 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 350 vegetable seed samples tested, four 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. Four of the 15 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. One sample did not meet claims for germination but passed label claims for purity. One sample failed label claims for both purity and germination. Table 5 shows the results of purity and germination tests for crop seed samples. One of the four samples met label claims for germination and purity. One sample failed label claims for both purity and germination and two samples did not meet label claims for purity but passed claims for germination. In addition to germination and purity tests, samples were also examined for prohibited noxious weeds. No noxious weeds were found in any of the samples. 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 Company 60 74 Asparagus Mary Washington Comstock-Ferre and Company 70 89 Bean Blue Lake Bush Bean Brittle Wax Bean Bush Blue Lake Bean Derby Bean Cherokee Wax Bean Romano Pole Bean Kentucky Wonder Wax Bean Symphony Blue Lake Bush Bean Bountiful Stringless Snap Bush Bean Blue Lake Stringless FM1 Bean Burpee Stringless Bush Bean Golden Butterwax Bean Kentucky Wonder 191 Pole Bean Blue Lake 274 Bush Bean Kentucky Wonder Brown Pole Bean Contender Bean Blue Lake 274 Bean Burpee's Stringless Green Pod Bean Brittle Wax Bean, lima Fordhook 242 Bush Bean, lima Henderson Bush Bean, lima Burpee's Improved Bush Beet Bull's Blood Beet Cylindra Beet Tall Top Early Wonder Beet Lutz Salad Leaf Beet Detroit Dark Red Beet Detroit Dark Red Beet Red Ace Beet Chiogga Beet Ruby Queen Beet Detroit Dark Red Broccoli Calabrese Broccoli Waltham Broccoli Early Green Broccoli Calabrese Green Sprouting ■ Broccoli Calabrese Green Sprouting Charles C. Hart Seed Company Charles C. Hart Seed Company Comstock-Ferre and Company Comstock-Ferre and Company Comstock-Ferre and Company New England Seed Company New England Seed Company Wal-Mart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company Seeds of Change Livingston Seed Company Livingston Seed Company Agway, Inc. Agway, Inc. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. NK Lawn and Garden Company Burpee Organic/W. Atlee Burpee and Co. W. Atlee Burpee and Company W. Atlee Burpee and Company New England Seed Company Wal-mart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company W. Atlee Burpee and Company Comstock-Ferre and Company New England Seed Company Wal-Mart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company Seeds of Change Page Seed Company/Liberty Garden Livingston Seed Company Agway, Inc. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. NK Lawn and Garden Company W. Atlee Burpee and Company Charles C. Hart Seed Company Comstock-Ferre and Company Seeds of Change Page Seed Company/Liberty Garden Livingston Seed Company 70 82 70 93 70 79 70 70+1 H 70 98 70 83+1 H 70 96 70 84 70 96 70 79+1 2H 70 98 70 97 70 88+1H 70 83 70 95+1 H 70 84 70 64 70 91+4H 70 88 70 71 70 92 70 34* 65 94 65 91 65 89 65 93 65 89 65 92 65 85 65 89 65 89 65 77 75 75 75 86 75 98 75 96 75 96 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 Broccoli Southern Comet Agway, Inc. 75 84 Broccoli Green Goliath Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. 75 76 Broccoli Waltham 29 NK Lawn and Garden Company 75 80 Broccoli Calabrese Green Sprouting Burpee Organic/W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 75 98 Broccoli Green Goliath W. Atlee Burpee and Company 75 83 Broccoli raab Early Fall Comstock-Ferre and Company 75 95 Broccoli raab Early Pugliese New England Seed Company 75 94 Brussels sprouts Long Island Improved Charles C. Hart Seed Company 70 87 Brussels sprouts Long Island Improved Comstock-Ferre and Company 70 96 Brussels sprouts Jade Cross New England Seed Company 70 94 Brussels sprouts Catskill Morse/Ferry-Morse Seed Company 70 95 Brussels sprouts Catskill Agway, Inc. 70 78 Brussels sprouts Long Island Improved Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. 70 91 Cabbage Red Acre Charles C. Hart Seed Company 75 74 Cabbage Golden Acre Charles C. Hart Seed Company 75 93 Cabbage Danish Ballhead Comstock-Ferre and Company 75 83 Cabbage Chieftain Savoy New England Seed Company 75 69 Cabbage Ferry's Round Dutch Wal-Mart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company 75 91 Cabbage King's Ransom Agway, Inc. 75 95 Cabbage Earliana Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. 75 85 Cantaloupe Delicious 51 Charles C. Hart Seed Company 75 83 Cantaloupe Alaska Comstock-Ferre and Company 75 97 Cantaloupe Delicious 51 New England Seed Company 75 90 Cantaloupe Sierra Gold Wal-Mart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company 75 91 Cantaloupe Honey Rock Livingston Seed Company 75 94 Cantaloupe Imperial 45 NK Lawn and Garden Company 75 96 Carrot Red Core Chantenay Charles C. Hart Seed Company 55 85 Carrot Scarlet Nantes Charles C. Hart Seed Company 55 86 Carrot Gold Pak Comstock-Ferre and Company 55 90 Carrot Danvers Half Long New England Seed Company 55 75 Carrot Red Core Chantenay Wal-Mart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company 55 92 Carrot St. Valery Seeds of Change 55 85 Carrot Nantes Coreless Page Seed Company/Liberty Garden 55 89 Carrot Danvers Half Long Livingston Seed Company 55 87 Carrot Royal Chantenay Agway, Inc. 55 84 Carrot Little Fingers Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. 55 80 Carrot Tendersweet NK Lawn and Garden Company 55 88 Carrot Short'n Sweet W. Atlee Burpee and Company 55 88 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 Cauliflower Cauliflower Cauliflower Cauliflower Cauliflower Cauliflower Self Blanching Violetta Italia Broccoverde Early Snowball Early Snowball Snow Crown Charles C. Hart Seed Company 75 85 Comstock-Ferre and Company 75 99 Comstock-Ferre and Company 75 97 New England Seed Company 75 85 Page Seed Company/Liberty Garden 75 85 Agway, Inc. 75 97 Celeriac Giant Smooth Prague Comstock-Ferre and Company 55 56 Celery Giant Pascal Celery Utah Chicory Italian Dandelion Chicory Witloof Chicory Cicoria Catalogna Chinese cabbage Michihili Chinese cabbage Chinese cabbage Jade Pagoda Chinese cabbage Oriental Express Collards Georgia Green Collards Georgia Collards Georgia Collards Georgia Southern Collards Vates Collards Georgia Com Golden Bantam Com Seneca Chief Com Golden Beauty Com Butter and Sugar Com Silver Queen Com Early Sunglow Com Silver Queen Com Silver Bullet Com Sweet Riser Com True Gold Com Kandy Kom Com Silver Queen Com Ecstase II Com Table Treat Com Breeder's Bicolor Com Silver Choice Com Spring Treat Charles C. Hart Seed Company New England Seed Company Charles C. Hart Seed Company Comstock-Ferre and Company New England Seed Company Comstock-Ferre and Company New England Seed Company Agway, Inc. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. Charles C. Hart Seed Company Comstock-Ferre and Company New England Seed Company Wal-Mart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company Agway, Inc. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. Charles C. Hart Seed Company Charles C. Hart Seed Company Charies C. Hart Seed Company Comstock-Ferre and Company Comstock-Ferre and Company New England Seed Company New England Seed Company Wal-Mart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company Wal-Mart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company Seeds of Change Livingston Seed Company Livingston Seed Company Agway, Inc. Agway, Inc. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. NK Lawn and Garden Company 55 69 55 84 65 84 65 90 65 83 75 92 75 91 75 97 75 83 80 92 80 96 80 95 80 97 80 95 80 94 75 98 75 99 75 99 75 98 75 99 75 100 75 97 75 97 75 92 75 95 75 99 75 99 75 96 75 91 75 94 75 81 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 Corn Sugar Dots Honey and Cream NK Lawn and Garden Company W. Atlee Burpee and Company 75 75 92 99 Comsalad Mache Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. 70 80 Cowpea Pinkeye Purple Hull Wal-Mart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company 75 90+1 H Cress Upland Charles C. Hart Seed Company 60 56 Cucumber Bush Crop Cucumber SMR Wisconsin Pickling Cucumber White Wonder Cucumber Straight 8 Cucumber Early Surecrop Cucumber Boston Pickling Cucumber Cross Country Cucumber Poinsett 76 Cucumber Northern Pickling Cucumber Muncher Cucumber Marketmore 76 Cucumber Straight Eight Cucumber Armenian Cucumber Double Feature Dill Bouquet Dill Bouquet Dill Dukat Dill Long Island Mammoth Eggplant Black Beauty Eggplant Black Beauty Eggplant Black Beauty Eggplant Black Beauty Eggplant High Bush Select Eggplant Rosa Bianco Eggplant Bambino Endive Green Curled Endive Fin de Louvier Endive Batavian Full Heart Endive Batavian Endive Green Ruffle Endive Green Curled Kale Vates Blue Curled Charles C. Hart Seed Company Charles C. Hart Seed Company Comstock-Ferre and Company Comstock-Ferre and Company New England Seed Company New England Seed Company Wal-Mart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company Wal-Mart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company Seeds of Change Livingston Seed Company Agway, Inc. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. NK Lawn and Garden Company W. Atlee Burpee and Company Charles C. Hart Seed Company Wal-Mart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company Agway, Inc. NK Lawn and Garden Company Comstock-Ferre and Company New England Seed Company Wal-Mart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company Page Seed Company/Liberty Garden Agway, Inc. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. W. Atlee Burpee and Company Charles C. Hart Seed Company Comstock-Ferre and Company New England Seed Company Page Seed Company/Liberty Garden Agway, Inc. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. Charles C. Hart Seed Company 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 70 70 70 70 70 70 75 90 100 94 96 90 97 89 98 98 95 98 100 94 94 90 76 82 84 55 85 86 75 19* 68 78 97 87 80 65 96 97 87 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 Kale Vates Dwarf Blue Curled Comstock-Ferre and Company 75 93 Kale Vates Dwarf Blue Curled New England Seed Company 75 99 Kale Vates Dwarf Blue Curled Wal-Mart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company 75 93 Kale Blue Scotch Agway, Inc. 75 97 Kale Red Russian Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. 75 99 Kohlrabi Early Purple Vienna Comstock-Ferre and Company 75 97 Kohlrabi Winter Hybrid New England Seed Company 75 95 Kohlrabi Early White Vienna Wal-Mart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company 75 89 Kohlrabi White Vienna Agway, Inc. 75 95 Kohlrabi Early White Vienna Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. 75 94 Leek American Flag Charles C. Hart Seed Company 60 90 Leek American Flag Comstock-Ferre and Company 60 94 Leek American Broad Flag New England Seed Company 60 95 Leek American Flag Wal-mart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company 60 86 Leek Carina Agway, Inc. 60 83 Leek Broad London Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. 60 92 Lettuce Iceberg Charles C. Hart Seed Company 80 88 Lettuce Buttercrunch Charles C. Hart Seed Company 80 98 Lettuce Red Sails Comstock-Ferre and Company 80 90 Lettuce Great Lakes 659 Comstock-Ferre and Company 80 94 Lettuce Great Lakes New England Seed Company 80 92 Lettuce Black Seeded Simpson New England Seed Company 80 99 Lettuce Paris Island Cos Walmart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company 80 97 Lettuce Great Lakes 118 Walmart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company 80 94 Lettuce Butterking Seeds of Change 80 94 Lettuce Buttercrunch Page Seed Company/Liberty Garden 80 98 Lettuce Black Seeded Simpson Livingston Seed Company 80 98 Lettuce Buttercrunch Agway, Inc. 80 97 Lettuce Paris Island Cos Agway, Inc. 80 98 Lettuce Crisphead Iceberg Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. 80 98 Lettuce Mighty Red Oak Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. 80 97 Lettuce Prizehead NK Lawn and Garden Company 80 98 Lettuce Great Lakes 118 Crisphead Burpee Organic/W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 80 94 Mustard Southern Curled Charles C. Hart Seed Company 75 95 Mustard Tendergreen Comstock-Ferre and Company 75 95 Mustard Florida Broadleaf Walmart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company 75 93 Mustard Mizuna Seeds of Change 75 94 Mustard India W. Atlee Burpee and Company 75 96 New Zealand Spinach New England Seed Company 40 85 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 Okra Perkins Mammoth Long Charles C. Hart Seed Company 50 48+43 H Okra Clemson Spineless Comstock-Ferre and Company 50 86 Okra Cajun Delight New England Seed Company 50 99 Okra Emerald Walmart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company 50 26+54 H* Okra North and South Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. 50 100 Okra Clemson Spineless W. Atlee Burpee and Company 50 80 Onion White Portugal Charles C. Hart Seed Company 70 80 Onion Yellow Sweet Spanish Charles C. Hart Seed Company 70 54* Onion Evergreen White Bunching Charles C. Hart Seed Company 70 78 Onion Walla Walla Comstock-Ferre and Company 70 88 Onion Hardy White Bunching New England Seed Company 70 82 Onion Red Burgermaster New England Seed Company 70 78 Onion Southport White Globe Walmart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company 70 85 Onion Rossa di Milano Seeds of Change 70 86 Onion Green Scallion Page Seed Company/Liberty Garden 70 92 Onion Evergreen White Bunching Livingston Seed Company 70 76 Onion Candy Agway, Inc. 70 89 Onion Evergreen White Bunching Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. 70 79 Onion Granex Yellow Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. 70 93 Onion Lisbon White Bunching NK Lawn and Garden Company 70 75 Onion Sweet and Early W. Atlee Burpee and Company 70 84 Parsley Plain Leaf Charles C. Hart Seed Company 60 82 Parsley Hamburg Rooted Comstock-Ferre and Company 60 81 Parsley Dark Green Italian Page Seed Company/Liberty Garden 60 51 Parsley Extra Curled Dwarf Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. 60 72 Parsley Hamburg Rooted NK Lawn and Garden Company 60 80 Parsley Single Italian Plain Leaf W. Atlee Burpee and Company 60 86 Parsnip Hollow Crown Charles C. Hart Seed Company 60 71 Parsnip All American New England Seed Company 60 86 Parsnip All American Agway, Inc. 60 80 Parsnip Hollow Crown W. Atlee Burpee and Company 60 85 Pea Sugar Bon Charles C. Hart Seed Company 80 89+1 H Pea Tall Telephone Charles C. Hart Seed Company 80 90+1 H Pea Mammoth Melting Sugar Comstock-Ferre and Company 80 87 Pea Wando Comstock-Ferre and Company 80 97+1 H Pea Dakota New England Seed Company 80 94 Pea Sugar Daddy Snap New England Seed Company 80 99 Pea Sugar Snap Walmart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company 80 94 Pea Wando Walmart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company 80 97 Pea Sugar Pod 2 Seeds of Change 80 94 Pea Oregon Sugar Pod II Livingston Seed Company 80 91 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 Pea Little Marvel Livingston Seed Company 80 96 Pea Dwarf White Sugar Agway, Inc. 80 95 Pea Progress No. 9 Agway, Inc. 80 94 Pea Sugar Snap Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. 80 81 Pea Wando Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. 80 97+1 H Pea Little Marvel NK Lawn and Garden Company 80 86+1 H Pea Sugar Ann NK Lawn and Garden Company 80 91+1 H Pea Oregon Sugar Pod Burpee Organic/W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 80 85+1 H Pea Burpeana Early W. Atlee Burpee and Company 80 94+1 H Pepper Hot Hungarian Wax Charles C. Hart Seed Company 55 62 Pepper Sweet Banana Charles C. Hart Seed Company 55 82 Pepper Staddon Charies C. Hart Seed Company 55 78 Pepper Yolo Wonder Comstock-Ferre and Company 55 68 Pepper Scotch Bonnet Yellow Comstock-Ferre and Company 55 65 Pepper Red Marconi Comstock-Ferre and Company 55 53 Pepper Bell Boy New England Seed Company 55 96 Pepper Cubanelle Sweet Fryer New England Seed Company 55 78 Pepper Thai Dragon New England Seed Company 55 87 Pepper Long Thin Cayenne Walmart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company 55 76 Pepper Sweet Banana Walmart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company 55 69 Pepper Cal Wonder Seeds of Change 55 56 Pepper Early Calwonder Page Seed Company/Liberty Garden 55 82 Pepper Jalapeno Livingston Seed Company 55 88 Pepper Staddon's Select Agway, Inc. 55 89 Pepper Sweet Banana Agway, Inc. 55 92 Pepper Habanero Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. 55 83 Pepper Cubanelle Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. 55 71 Pepper Jupiter NK Lawn and Garden Company 55 54 Pepper Jalapeno NK Lawn and Garden Company 55 99 Pepper Jalapeno Early Burpee Organic/W. Atlee Burpee and Co. 55 89 Pepper California Wonder W. Atlee Burpee and Company 55 84 Pumpkin Jack Be Little Charles C. Hart Seed Company 75 93 Pumpkin Howden Charles C. Hart Seed Company 75 87 Pumpkin Autumn Gold Comstock-Ferre and Company 75 88 Pumpkin Big Max New England Seed Company 75 96 Pumpkin Jack O'Lantern New England Seed Company 75 92 Pumpkin Big Max Walmart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company 75 96 Pumpkin Ichabod Agway, Inc. 75 95 Radish Scarlet Globe Charles C. Hart Seed Company 75 97 Radish Long White Icicle Comstock-Ferre and Company 75 93 Radish Champion New England Seed Company 75 98 Radish Champion Walmart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company 75 96 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 Radish Chinese White Winter Agway, Inc. 75 98 Radish Crimson Giant Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. 75 99 Radish Cherry Beile NK Lawn and Garden Company 75 96 Radish Salad Rose W. Atlee Burpee and Company 75 90 Rutabaga American Purple Top Yellow Charles C. Hart Seed Company 75 94 Rutabaga Improved Purple Top Yellow New England Seed Company 75 95 Rutabaga American Purple Top Agway, Inc. 75 99 Sage Sweet Charles C. Hart Seed Company 60 90 Sage Broadieaf Comstock-Ferre and Company 60 90 Sage New England Seed Company 60 89 Sage Broadleaf Walmart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company 60 83 Sage Cook's Companion Livingston Seed Company 60 91 Sage Broadleaf NK Lawn and Garden Company 60 69 Sage Common W. Atlee Burpee and Company 60 81 Salsify Mammoth Sandwich Charles C. Hart Seed Company 75 99 Salsify Scorzonera Comstock-Ferre and Company 75 77 Spinach Hybrid No. 7 Comstock-Ferre and Company 60 86 Spinach Melody New England Seed Company 60 90 Spinach Bloomsdale Long Standing Walmart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company 60 90 Spinach America Seeds of Change 60 94 Spinach Bloomsdale Long Standing Page Seed Company/Liberty Garden 60 97 Spinach Melody Agway, Inc. 60 88 Spinach Teton Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. 60 89 Spinach Indian Summer NK Lawn and Garden Company 60 94 Spinach Salad Fresh W. Atlee Burpee and Company 60 82 Squash Buttercup Burgess Charles C. Hart Seed Company 75 98 Squash Straightneck Yellow Charles C. Hart Seed Company 75 74 Squash Early Prolific Straightneck Comstock-Ferre and Company 75 84 Squash Table Ace Comstock-Ferre and Company 75 92 Squash Ambassador New England Seed Company 75 100 Squash Patty Pan New England Seed Company 75 82 Squash Buttternut, Early New England Seed Company 75 98 Squash Black Beauty Zucchini Walmart/Feny-Morse Seed Company 75 91 Squash Wattham Butternut Walmart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company 75 82 Squash Buttercup Livingston Seed Company 75 94 Squash Ambercup Agway, Inc. 75 99 Squash Early Prolific Straightneck Agway, Inc. 75 99 Squash Burpee's Fordhook Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. 75 79 Squash Spaghetti Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. 75 96 Squash Early Prolific Straightneck NK Lawn and Garden Company 75 69 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 Squash Swiss chard Swiss chard Swiss chard Swiss chard Swiss chard Swiss chard Swiss chard Tomatillo Tomatillo Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Tomato Turnip Turnip Turnip Turnip Watermelon Watermelon Watermelon Watermelon Watermelon Waltham Butternut Waltham Butternut Rhubarb Giant Lucullus Fordhook Giant Bright Lights Ruby Red Rhubarb Rhubarb Toma Verde Marglobe Roma Red Cherry Large Supersonic Comstocks Sauce and Slice Beefmaster VFN Sweet 100 Rutgers Roma VFN Delicious Clemson Cushion Beefsteak Roma VF Roma Super Beefsteak Seven Top Purple Top White Globe Purple Top White Globe Seven Top Sugar Baby Cream of Saskatchewan Sugar Baby Congo Charleston Gray NK Lawn and Garden Company W. Atlee Burpee and Company Charles C. Hart Seed Company Comstock-Ferre and Company New England Seed Company WalmanVFerry-Morse Seed Company Agway, Inc. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. NK Lawn and Garden Company Comstock-Ferre and Company Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. Charles C. Hart Seed Company Charles C. Hart Seed Company Charles C. Hart Seed Company Comstock-Ferre and Company Comstock-Ferre and Company New England Seed Company New England Seed Company Walmart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company Walmart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company Page Seed Company/Liberty Garden Livingston Seed Company Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. Burpee Organic/W. Atlee Burpee and Co. W. Atlee Burpee and Company New England Seed Company Walmart/FeiTy-Morse Seed Company Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. W. Atlee Burpee and Company Charles C. Hart Seed Company Comstock-Ferre and Company New England Seed Company Walmart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company NK Lawn and Garden Company 75 87 75 92 65 97 65 86 65 90 65 83 65 93 65 90 65 94 50 95 50 95 75 90 75 75 75 90 75 86 75 88 75 87 75 95 75 95 75 94 75 84 75 96 75 95 75 85 75 86 80 99 80 97 80 96 80 88 70 95 70 95 70 92 70 94 70 88 Table 2. Summary for each seed company of total number of germination claims and the percentage that met or failed label claims. Total Number % Meeting % Not Meeting Seed Company of Claims Claims Claims Agway, Inc Burpee Organic/W. Atlee Burpee and Co. Charles C. Hart Seed Company Comstock-Ferre and Company Livingston Seed Company Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. New England Seed Company NK Lawn and Garden Company Page Seed Company/Liberty Garden Seeds of Change W. Atlee Burpee and Company Walmart/Ferry-Morse Seed Company 34 97 3 6 100 0 50 98 2 50 100 0 17 100 0 36 100 0 49 100 0 23 100 0 12 100 0 12 100 0 22 96 4 38 97 3 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 Average Germination Artichoke 1 60 74 Asparagus 1 70 89 Bean 19 70 87 Bean, lima 3 70 66 Beet 10 65 89 Broccoli 10 75 87 Broccoli raab 2 75 94 Brussels sprouts 6 70 90 Cabbage 7 75 84 Cantaloupe 6 75 92 Carrot 12 55 86 Cauliflower 6 75 91 Celeriac 1 55 56 Celery 2 55 76 Chicory 3 65 86 Chinese cabbage 4 75 91 Collards 6 80 95 Corn 19 75 96 Cornsalad 1 70 80 Cowpea 1 75 90 Cress 1 60 56 Cucumber 14 80 95 Dill 4 60 83 Eggplant 7 60 66 Endive 6 70 87 Kale 6 75 95 Kohlrabi 5 75 94 Leek 6 60 90 Lettuce 17 80 96 Mustard 5 75 95 New Zealand spinach 1 40 85 Okra 6 50 73 Onion 15 70 81 Parsley 6 60 75 Parsnip 4 60 80 Pea 19 80 92 Pepper 22 55 77 Pumpkin 7 75 92 Radish 8 75 92 Rutabaga 3 75 96 Sage 7 60 85 Salsify 2 75 88 Spinach 9 60 90 Squash 17 75 89 Swiss chard 7 65 90 Tomatillo 2 50 95 Tomato 14 75 89 Turnip 4 80 95 Watermelon 5 70 93 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 (Tol) is calculated according to the rules for seed testing published by the Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA). Variance (Var) is calculated as Purity Found (Pur F) minus Purity Claimed (Pur C). Germination Claimed (Germ C); Germination Found (Germ F). * = Does not meet label claim. Seed Company Seed Mixture PurC PurF Var Tol Germ C Germ F Lofts All Perennial Landscape Mix 85/80 Kentucky Bluegrass 13.70 16.84 3.14 1.87 ' 80 84 Palmer III Perennial Ryegrass 59.53 57.15 -2.38 4.19 90 93 Creeping Red Fescue 24.53 22.60 -1.93 2.96 94 83 Loft's Seed Co. Pennington Seed, Inc. Pennington Professional Select Northeast Mixture Kenblue Kentucky Bluegrass 9.50 Sonata Perennial Ryegrass 73.00 Boreal Red Fescue 14.00 12.40 2.90 1.47 * 85 79 73.84 0.84 2.92 90 97 12.30 -1.70 2.36 80 80 Blue Seal Feeds, Inc. Blue Seal Feed Classic Lawn Mixture Kentucky Bluegrass Accent Perennial Ryegrass Allstar Perennial Ryegrass total Perennial Ryegrass Creeping Red Fescue 34.72 40.14 5.42 3.94 * 85 89 18.76 85 94 19.66 90 94 38.42 34.32 -4.10 5.38 24.28 23.00 -1.28 4.12 85 92 New England Seed Co. Putnam Co-op Landscape Mix Kentucky Bluegrass Racer Perennial Ryegrass Annual Ryegrass total Ryegrass Creeping Red Fescue Chewings Fescue total Fine Fescue 18.34 22.00 3.66 2.44 * 80 71 24.00 90 95 14.98 90 95 38.98 38.41 -0.57 4.86 19.70 85 75 19.68 85 75 39.38 36.22 -3.06 3.81 New England Seed Co. Putnam Co-op Conservation Mix Perennial Ryegrass Annual Ryegrass total Ryegrass Creeping Red Fescue Tall Fescue White Clover 19.26 90 96 19.97 90 96 39.23 39.39 0.10 3.40 19.70 19.36 -0.34 2.42 85 88 33.96 32.03 -1.93 3.78 85 95 4.95 6.67 1.72 1.00 * 85 95 Charles C. Hart Seed Co. Holdridge Quick Grow Lawn Seed Mixture Kentucky Bluegrass Perennial Ryegrass Annual Ryegrass total Ryegrass 8.86 8.96 0.10 1.19 80 81 9.81 90 93 78.56 90 93 88.37 87.81 -0.56 1.47 Charles C. Hart Seed Co. Holdridge Custom All Purpose Lawn Seed Mixture Kentucky Bluegrass 14.27 Cutter Perennial Ryegrass 34.58 Express Perennial Ryegrass 29.34 total Perennial Ryegrass 63.92 Creeping Red Fescue 19.51 14.49 0.22 1.86 85 90 90 78 93 93 63.61 -0.31 3.70 17.22 -2.29 2.76 85 87 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 (Tol) is calculated according to the rules for seed testing published by the Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA). Variance (Var) is calculated as Purity Found (Pur F) minus Purity Claimed (Pur C). Germination Claimed (Germ C); Germination Found (Germ F). * = Does not meet label claim. Seed Company Seed Mixture PurC PurF Var Tol Germ C Germ F 23.31 27.16 3.85 2.90 80 83 24.36 90 94 24.31 90 94 24.37 90 94 73.04 68.45 -4.59 3.32 * Southern States Coop, Inc. Agway Fall Seeding Mixture Kentucky Bluegrass Partner Perennial Ryegrass Caddieshack Perennial Ryegrass Buccaneer Perennial Ryegrass total Perennial Ryegrass Southern States Coop, Inc. Agway Contractor's Mixture Perennial Ryegrass Annual Ryegrass total Ryegrass Creeping Red Fescue 41.75 90 91 38.98 90 91 80.73 84.13 3.40 2.29 14.80 14.69 -0.11 2.15 85 92 New England Seed Co. New England Seed Co. Athletic Lawn Mix Kentucky Bluegrass Nexus Perennial Ryegrass Creeping Red Fescue Cochise Tall Fescue Genesis Tall Fescue total Tall Fescue 8.87 12.83 3.96 1.47 * 80 92 39.42 41.22 1.80 3.79 90 90 9.80 10.79 0.99 2.19 85 86 19.46 85 99 19.94 85 99 39.40 32.77 -6.63 4.32 * Jonathan Green, Inc. Jonathan Green Full Sun Grass Seed Mixture Washington Kentucky Bluegrass Plymouth Perennial Ryegrass Jockey Perennial Ryegrass total Perennial Ryegrass Warwick Hard Fescue Salem Creeping Red Fescue Carmen Chewings Fescue total Fine Fescue 19.65 20.71 1.06 2.44 90 88 19.70 92 89 19.70 92 89 39.40 42.70 3.30 4.66 19.60 90 53 * 9.80 90 53 * 9.80 90 53 * 39.20 35.47 -3.73 3.81 The Scotts Co. Scotts Turf Builder Contractor's All Purpose Mix Locksaw Kentucky Bluegrass Goalkeeper Perennial Ryegrass Gulf Perennial Ryegrass Pearl II Perennial Ryegrass total Perennial Ryegrass Boreal Creeping Red Fescue 9.77 11.70 1.93 1.47 * 85 90 28.54 90 93 24.79 90 93 19.70 90 93 73.03 74.13 1.10 2.92 14.67 13.19 -1.48 2.36 85 95 Lesco, Inc. Lesco Eagle Blend Plus Blue Mixture Shamrock Kentucky Bluegrass Pacesetter Perennial Ryegrass Legacy II Perennial Ryegrass Prosport Perennial Ryegrass total Perennial Ryegrass 24.28 27.18 2.90 2.90 24.57 24.06 24.03 72.66 71.15 -1.51 3.32 85 90 90 94 90 94 90 94 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 (Tol) is calculated according to the rules for seed testing published by the Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA). Variance (Var) is calculated as Purity Found (Pur F) minus Purity Claimed (Pur C). Germination Claimed (Germ C); Germination Found (Germ F). * = Does not meet label claim. Seed Company Seed Mixture PurC PurF Var Tol Germ C Germ F Lesco Shade Seed Mixture Shamrock Kentucky Bluegrass 5.01 6.12 1.11 1.11 85 90 Laredo Perennial Ryegrass 14.43 17.13 2.70 3.10 90 97 Brittany Chewings Fescue 34.34 90 85 Shademark Red Fescue 34.02 85 85 Defiant Hard Fescue 9.89 85 85 total Fine Fescue 78.25 75.87 -2.38 2.96 Mackey's Premium Finest Mixture Raven Kentucky Bluegrass 24.98 30.98 6.00 3.12 * 85 95 Buccaneer Perennial Ryegrass 29.66 90 92 Nexus Perennial Ryegrass 28.73 90 92 total Perennial Ryegrass 58.39 56.43 -1.96 4.53 Creeping Red Fescue 14.72 11.90 -2.82 1.73 * 85 91 Lesco, Inc. Lebanon Seaboard Co. Table 5. Germination and purity of crop seed. Germination Claimed (Germ Claim); Germination Found (Germ Found); * = Does not meet label claim. Seed Mixture Seed Company Purity Claim Purity Found Germ Claim Germ Found Wheat Crop Production Services 98.99 Rye Crop Production Services 99.18 Rye Plainfield Crop Center 96.00 Rye Agricuiver, Inc. 98.00 90.9* 80 55* 96.2* 69 91 92.9* 90 82 99.9 85 94 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 1 106, 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. LastfSpo. state. ct.us (E-mail). ^B^^^H^^H^Ef^ ■■■?■■':■■-■'<: ■>■■■■■■ BBBEBL hH9h_ >^v^" itS5s