United States Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Marketing Service

Federal Grain Inspection Service

Directive 9180.52 March 14, 2022

Distribution: FGIS, OSP, Industry Originating Office: FMD PPMAB

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employer.

INSPECTION OF MUSTARD SEED

Contents

INSPECTION OF MUSTARD SEED ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������1

1. PURPOSE����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

2. REPLACEMENT HIGHLIGHTS��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

3. GENERAL INFORMATION���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

4. PERCENTAGES�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

5. STANDARD ABBREVIATIONS ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

6. BASIS OF DETERMINATION ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

7. DEFINITION OF MUSTARD SEED��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

8. INFESTATION ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

9. HEATING������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

10. ODOR���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

11. ANIMAL FILTH, GLASS, AND UNKNOWN FOREIGN SUBSTANCES������������������������������

12. GARLIC BULBLETS ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

13. MOISTURE�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

14. DOCKAGE �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

15. STONES, ERGOT, AND SCLEROTINIA �������������������������������������������������������������������������

16. CONSPICUOUS ADMIXTURE�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

17. PURITY ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������1

18. DAMAGED KERNELS������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 1

19. INCONSPICUOUS ADMIXTURE �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������1

20. CERTIFICATION ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������1

21. QUESTIONS ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������1
FGIS Directive 9180.52 March 14, 2022

Page 2

1. PURPOSE

This directive establishes procedures for the factor analysis of mustard seed under the 

Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (AMA), as amended

2. REPLACEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

This directive is revised to specify that any moisture meter listed as approved in 

the Moisture Handbook can be used to determine moisture content. This directive

supersedes FGIS Program Directive 9180.52, dated 5/01/1

3. GENERAL INFORMATION

There are no classes, subclasses, or grades in mustard seed

Inspection of mustard seed is on a factor only basis. Factors analyzed are: kind of grain

infestation, heating, odor, animal filth, glass, unknown foreign substances, garlic 

bulblets, moisture, dockage, stones, ergot, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (sclerotinia), 

conspicuous admixture, buckwheat, other weed seed, other material, yellow mustard 

seed, brown mustard seed, oriental mustard seed, wild mustard seed, cow cockle, 

damaged kernels (total), heat-damaged kernels, distinctly green kernels, and 

inconspicuous admixture

4. PERCENTAGES

Except for stones and ergot, show percentages in whole and tenth percent to the 

nearest tenth percent. Show percentages of stones and ergot to the nearest hundredth 

percent

Calculate percentages based on count by dividing the number of unsound kernels by 

total number of seeds in the portion and multiplying by 100

Round percentages according to Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) procedures
FGIS Directive 9180.52 March 14, 2022

Page 3

6. BASIS OF DETERMINATION

How factors are determined:

Table No. 1 - Basis of Determination

Before Removing

Dockage After Removing Dockage After Removing Dockage andConspicuous Admixture

Animal filth

Dockage

Garlic bulblets

Glass

Infestation

Kind of grain

Moisture

Odor

Unknown foreign Substances

Brown mustard seed

Buckwheat

Conspicuous admixture

Ergot

Odor

Other material

Other weed seed

Oriental mustard seed

Sclerotinia

Stones

Yellow mustard seed

Damaged kernels (total)

Heat-damaged kernels

Distinctly green kernels

Inconspicuous admixture

Odor

Wild mustard seed

Cow cockle

7. DEFINITION OF MUSTARD SEED

Mustard seed (Brassica hirta and B. juncea) consists of 50.0 percent or more of whole

mustard seed kernels before the removal of dockage. The term mustard seed does not

include wild mustard seed.

Whole kernels are kernels with more than three-fourths of the kernel present.

Basis of Determination. A visual appraisal of the sample is sufficient to determine if it 

meets the definition of mustard seed. However, if analysis is necessary, make it before 

removing dockage on a portion of approximately 25 grams

Mustard seed MS

Conspicuous admixture CADM

Damagedkernels (total) DKT

Distinctly green kernels DGK

Dockage DKG

Heat-damaged kernels HT

Inconspicuous admixture IADM

Infested INF

Moisture M

Odor ODOR

Musty MUST

Sour SOUR

Commercially objectionable

foreign odor COFO

Stones STON

Heating HTG

Sclerotinia SCT

Ergot ERG

Other material OM

Animal filth ANFL

Broken glass GLAS

Unknown foreign substance FSUB

Other weed seed OWS

Garlic bulblets GARB

Buckwheat BW

Yellow mustard seed YMS

Brown mustard seed BMS

Oriental mustard seed OMS

Wild mustard seed WMS

Cow cockle CCKL

5. STANDARD ABBREVIATIONS

Use the following abbreviations in the analysis of mustard seed:
FGIS Directive 9180.52 March 14, 2022

Page 4

8. I NFESTATION

Infestation refers to mustard seed infested with live weevils or other live insects injurious 

to stored grain according to procedures in FGIS instructions

The presence of a live weevil or other live insect injurious to stored grain indicates the 

probability of infestation and warns you to examine the mustard seed to determine if it is 

infested. In such cases, examine the work sample and file sample before concluding the 

mustard seed is infested. Do not examine file sample if work portion is insect free.

Live weevils include rice weevils, granary weevils, cowpea weevils, maize weevils, and 

lesser grain borers. Other live insects injurious to stored grain include grain beetles,

grain moths, vetch bruchids, and larvae. (See Grain Inspection Handbook, Book II,

Chapter 1, General Information, Section 1.2, Visual Grading Aids

Basis of Determination. Determine infestation on the lot as a whole and/or sample as 

a whole (approximately 500 grams). For specific guidelines, see Table No. 2 and Grain 

Inspection Handbook, Book I, Grain Sampling

Table No. 2 - Insect Infestation

Samples meeting or exceeding any one of these tolerances are infested:

2 lw, or 1 lw+5 oli, or 10 oli

I. 1,000-Gram Representative Sample 

(+ file sample if needed)

• Submitted Samples

• Probed Lots

• D/T Sampled Landcarriers

II. Lot as a whole (Stationary)

• Probed Lots (at the time of sampling)

III. Online Sample (In-Motion) 

• Railcars Under Cu-Sum

• Subsamples for Sacked Grain Lots

• Components for Bargelots 3

• Components for Shiplots 3

1 Examine work portion and file sample if necessary. Do not examine file sample if work portion is 

 insect free. 2 Minimum sampling rate is 500 grams per 2,000 bushel

3 Minimum component size is 10,000 bushels

Key: lw = live weevil oli = other live insects injurious to stored grain

Certification. Record the word “infested” on the work record and certificate.
FGIS Directive 9180.52 March 14, 2022

Page 5

9. HEATING

Seed developing a high temperature from excessive respiration is heating. Heating

seed in its final stages produces a sour or musty odor. Do not confuse heating seed with 

seed warm and moist because of storage in bins, railcars, or other containers during hot 

weather.

Basis of Determination. Determine heating on evidence obtained at time of samplin

Certification. Record the word “Heating” on the work record and certificate.

10. ODOR

Basis of Determination. Determine odor on evidence obtained at the time of sampling,

on the sample either before or after removing dockage, or on the crushed strips (used 

to determine heat damage and distinctly green damage). When crushed strips are used,

determine odor immediately after crushing. Record on the work record odors detected 

at time of sampling

Table No. 3 - Odor Classification Examples

Sour Musty Commercially Objectionable

Foreign Odors

Boot

Fermenting

Insect (acrid)

Pigpen

Smoke *

Ground

Insect

Moldy

Animal hides

Decaying animal and vegetable matter

Fertilizer

Fumigant

Insecticide

Oil products

Skunk

Smoke (evidence of fire- burnt material)

Strong weed

* Consider smoke odors as sour unless there is evidence of fire-burnt material.

Odors from Heat-Damaged Mustard Seed. When heat-damaged kernels are present,

mustard seed will give off an odor similar to smoke. Consider mustard seed containing a 

“smoke” odor as having a “sour” odor unless evidence of a fire-burnt material is present 

in the lot or the original sample. If evidence of a fire-burnt material is present in the lot or 

sample, consider the smoke odor as a commercially objectionable foreign odor

Commercially Objectionable Foreign Odors. Commercially objectionable foreign odors

are odors foreign to mustard seed that render it unfit for normal commercial use.
FGIS Directive 9180.52 March 14, 2022

Page 6

Fumigant or insecticide odors are commercially objectionable foreign odors if they linger 

and do not dissipate. If a sample of mustard seed contains a fumigant or insecticide

odor that prevents you from determining if other odor(s) exists, apply the following 

guidelines:

a. Original Inspections. Allow work portion to aerate in an open container for a period

not to exceed 4 hours

b. Appeal, and Board Appeal Inspections. Allow unworked file samples and ne

samples to aerate in an open container not to exceed 4 hours. Do not aerate file 

samples (worked files) which were previously aerated and retained as the final file.

A sample has a commercially objectionable foreign odor if fumigant or insecticide odor 

persists based on above criteria

Certification. Record the words “Musty,” “Sour,” or “Commercially Objectionable 

Foreign Odor” on work record and certificate.

11. ANIMAL FILTH, GLASS, AND UNKNOWN FOREIGN SUBSTANCES

Basis of Determination. Determine animal filth, glass, and unknown foreign 

substances based on the sample as a whole (approximately 500 grams).

Certification. Record the number of pieces of animal filth, glass, and unknown foreign 

substances on the work record and certificate.

12. GARLIC BULBLETS

Basis of Determination. Determine number of garlic bulblets on sample as a whole 

(approximately 500 grams)

Three dry or partly dry garlic bulblets are equal to one green bulblet. Reference Image:

Garlic Bulbs

Certification. Record the number of garlic bulblets on the work record and certificate in 

whole and decimals to the nearest hundredth percent. (i.e. 1/3=0.33, 2/3= 0.67)

13. MOISTURE

Moisture is the water content of mustard seed as determined by approved moisture 

instruments listed in the Moisture Handbook using the approved calibration (See FGIS 

Directive 9180.61

Basis of Determination. Determine moisture on a portion of approximately 650 grams

before the removal of dockage

Certification. Record the percentage of moisture on the work record and certificate to 

the nearest tenth percent
FGIS Directive 9180.52 March 14, 2022

Page 7

14. DOCKAGE

Dockage is material, other than mustard seed, that you can remove easily with sieves 

and/or a cleaning device. Dockage includes underdeveloped, shriveled, and small

pieces of mustard seed that you cannot recover by rescreening or recleaning

Basis of Determination. Determine dockage on a representative portion of 

approximately 250 grams cut from original sample

Procedure. Determine dockage using the following 2 steps:

Note: Mustard seed has a high oil content and may gum equipment. Ensure that 

all equipment is first cleaned with mild soapy water and/or Alconox lab detergent 

before testing.

STEP 1. Procedure for Determining Dockage with the Carter Dockage Teste

a. Insert appropriate sieves and riddles, and set air and feed controls

to proper position. Turn off the Carter Dockage Tester when inserting or 

removing sieves

 Air Feed Riddle Top Middle Bottom

Mustard Seed 5 3 000 4 ------ ------

b. Run sample portion through the Carter Dockage Teste

c. Machine separated dockage is all material removed by aspiration;

coarse material, except threshed and sprouted kernels of mustard seed, 

that passed over the riddle; and material that passed through the No. 4

sieve, except for small whole and broken pieces of mustard seed which 

are reclaimed

Note: Return kernels of mustard seed caught in riddle to cleaned portion.

STEP 2. Procedure for Determining Dockage with Slotted Sieves (Reclaiming

a. Examine material that passes over the No. 4 sieve for wheat, buckwheat,

weed seeds, or similar foreign material. If present, use one or more of 

the following sieves to separate material from the mustard seed: 5\64, 

5.5\64, 6\64, 6.5\64, 7\64-inch, or larger.

b. Place the mustard seed on the upper edge of the hand sieve. Hold th

sieve at a 10-to 20-degree angle and work the material down over the 

sieve with a gentle side-to-side motion.

c. Manually remove all mustard seed remaining on top of the round hole

sieve and return to the mechanically cleaned sample
FGIS Directive 9180.52 March 14, 2022

Page 8

d. Reclaim material passing through the No. 4 sieve by sieving the materia

over the .035 x 15\32-inch sieve using an approved mechanical shaker.

Upon request, you may use the .028 x 15\32 or .0395 x 15\32 sieve, 

provided you record the sieve size in the remark section of the 

certificate.

e. Mount the appropriate sieve and a bottom pan on an approved

mechanical shaker

If an approved mechanical shaker is unavailable, inspectors may hand 

sieve the sample. When handsieving, hold the sieve level in both hands

with elbows close to the sides. In a steady motion, move the sieve from 

left to right approximately 10 inches and then return from right to left

Repeat this motion 30 times

f. Set the count stroker at 30. Pour onto the appropriate sieve the materia

that passes through the No. 4 sieve. Turn on the shak

g. Return material to the appropriate portion. Material passing through th

sieve is dockage

Computing Dockage. All dockage is computed on the basis of the sample as a whole. 

When computing dockage, proceed as follows:

(Weight of all Dockage ÷ original sample weight) x 100 = percent dockage.

Example:

Original sample weight 250 grams

 Weight of all dockage 24.70 gram

24.70 grams ÷ 250 grams = 0.0988 x 100 = 9.88% Certify as 9.9% dockage

Certification. Record the percentage of dockage on the work record and certificate to 

the nearest tenth percent
FGIS Directive 9180.52 March 14, 2022

Page 9

15. STONES, ERGOT, AND SCLEROTINIA

Stones are concreted earthy or mineral matter and other substances of similar hardness 

that do not disintegrate readily in water.

Ergot is a hard, reddish-brown or black grain-like mass of certain parasitic fungi that 

replaces the kernels of certain grains. When determining the presence of ergot, refer to

Reference Image: Ergot

Sclerotinia are the dark-colored black resting bodies of the fungi Sclerotinia and 

Claviceps. When determining the presence of sclerotinia, refer to Reference Image:

Sclerotinia

Basis of Determination/Procedure. Determine stones, ergot, and sclerotinia by

handpicking a representative portion of approximately 10 grams cut from the dockage 

free portion

Certification. Record the percentage of stones and ergot on the work record and 

certificate to the nearest hundredth percent. Record the percentage of sclerotinia on the 

work record and certificate to the nearest tenth percent.

16. CONSPICUOUS ADMIXTURE

Conspicuous admixture is all matter other than mustard seed which is conspicuous 

and readily distinguishable from mustard seed and which remains in the sample after 

removing dockage

Basis of Determination. Determine conspicuous admixture (buckwheat, other weed 

seed, and other material) on a representative portion of not less than 10 grams cut from 

the work sample after removing dockage.

Procedure for Determining Conspicuous Admixture by Handpicking

STEP 1. Cut the mechanically cleaned sample down to approximately 10 grams, but 

 not less than 10 grams

STEP 2. Handpick the 10-gram portion for conspicuous admixture (buckwheat, other 

weed seed, and other material) which is readily distinguishable by visual 

 inspection

Note: Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) includes both buckwheat and wild 

buckwheat.
FGIS Directive 9180.52 March 14, 2022

Page 10

STEP 3. Calculate percentage of each facto

To compute conspicuous admixture, add the weight of buckwheat, other weed 

 seed, and other material

0.10 grams ÷ 10.24 grams = 0.0097 x 100 = 0.97% buckwheat

0.02 grams ÷ 10.24 grams = 0.0019 x 100 = 0.19% other weed seed

0.01 grams ÷ 10.24 grams = 0.0009 x 100 = 0.09% other material

(0.10 + 0.02 + 0.01) ÷ 10.24 grams = 0.0126 x 100 = 1.26% conspicuous 

admixture (add in hundredths and certify in tenths)

Certification. Record the percentages of conspicuous admixture, buckwheat (including 

wild buckwheat) and other weed seed on the work record and certificate to nearest tenth 

percent

17. PURITY

Yellow mustard seed (Brassica hirta)

Color: light, creamy yellow to yellow; occasionally, a seedcoat is light or 

yellowish-brown.

Size: large, 2 to 3 mm in diameter

Shape: spherical but occasionally oval (rounder than brown or Oriental mustard seed).

Surface: texture is similar to an orange peel or a grapefruit; white hilum.

Brown mustard seed (Brassica juncea)

Color: reddish to dark-brown.

Size: small, less than 2 mm in diameter

Shape: oval

Surface: predominate netting; texture is similar to a golf ball; black hilum

Oriental mustard seed (Brassica juncea)

Color: predominantly yellow to dark-yellow, with from 3 percent to 10 percent ranging 

from light-brown to brown.

Size: small, less than 2 mm in diameter

Shape: oval

Surface: fine netting which is not nearly as predominant as for brown mustard seed; 

light-brown to dark-brown hilum.
FGIS Directive 9180.52 March 14, 2022

Page 11

Basis of Determination/Procedure. Determine percentages of yellow, brown, and 

Oriental mustard seed by color of seedcoat on a portion of approximately 10 grams after 

removing dockage

Certification. Record the percentage of yellow, brown, and Oriental mustard seed to 

the nearest tenth percent on the work record and certificate.

18. DAMAGED KERNELS

Damage must be distinct. In general, a kernel of mustard seed is damaged when 

the damage is apparent and of such character as to be recognized as damaged for 

commercial purposes

a. Damaged Mustard Seed. Kernels and pieces of kernels of mustard seed which are

heat-damaged, sprout-damaged, mold-damaged, distinctly green, frost-damage, 

rime-damaged, or otherwise materially damaged.

b. Heat-Damaged Kernels. Kernels and pieces of kernels of the mustard seed which,

after being crushed, are materially discolored and damaged by heat

c. Distinctly Green Kernels. Kernels and pieces of kernels of the mustard seed which,

after being crushed, are a distinct green throughout the kernel

Basis of Determination. Determine damaged kernels on a representative portion cut

from the work sample after removing dockage and conspicuous admixture. Use the 

portion that you used for picking conspicuous admixture. Note that you must reweigh 

this portion

Procedure. The steps for determining various damages are as follows:

STEP 1. Handpick the 10-gram portion (clean of dockage and conspicuous admixture)

for distinctly shrunken or shriveled kernels (frost damage), kernels discolored 

by mold, rimed kernels (kernels that are completely covered with a whitish 

coloration), sprouted kernels, excessively weathered kernels, and any other 

kernels of mustard seed that are distinctly damaged

 These kernels are other-damaged kernels. Reference Image: Canola Othe

 Damage (ILP: CANOLA 3.0

STEP 2. Cut down balance of the 10-gram portion to approximately 5 grams.

STEP 3. Sprinkle the 5-gram portion across the damage seed counter to fill the

100-hole board (must be repeated five times) or the 500-hole board.

STEP 4. After each filling (total of 5 fillings when using the 100-hole board) and before 

crushing, tape and observe for inconspicuous admixture. Refer to section 19

for details
FGIS Directive 9180.52 March 14, 2022

Page 12

STEP 5. With a roller, crush the mustard seed, examine the rows, and count the 

number of heat-damaged kernels, distinctly green kernels, and seeds that are 

obviously not mustard seed (inconspicuous admixture)

STEP 6. After the strip (all 5 strips when using the 100-hole board) has been crushed 

and kernels counted, calculate the percentage of each type of damage

All percentages of damage, except for distinctly green and heat-damaged kernels, are 

determined based on weight. Percentage of distinctly green and heat-damaged kernels 

is determined based on count

To compute damaged kernels (total), add the percentage of distinctly green, heatdamaged, and other-damaged kernels of mustard seed. Proceed as follows:

a. (Weight of other-damaged kernels ÷ weight of representative portion) x 100 = 

percent other-damaged kernels

b. 500 - number of non-mustard seed kernels = number of mustard seed kernels.

c. (Number of heat-damaged kernels ÷ number of mustard seed kernels) x 100 = 

percent heat-damaged kernels

d. (Number of distinctly green kernels ÷ number of mustard seed kernels) x 100 = 

percent distinctly green kernels

e. Percent other-damaged kernels + percent heat-damaged kernels + percent

distinctly green kernels = percent damaged kernels (total).

Example:

Weight of representative portion 10.11 gram

Weight of other-damaged kernels 0.10 gram

Number of non-mustard seed kernels 10

Number of heat-damaged kernels 25

Number of distinctly green kernels 12

(1) 0.10 grams ÷ 10.11 grams = 0.0099 x 100 = 0.99% other-damaged kernels.

(2) 500 - 10 = 490 mustard seed kernels.

(3) 25 kernels ÷ 490 kernels = 0.0510 x 100 = 5.10% heat-damaged kernels.

(4) 12 kernels ÷ 490 kernels = 0.0244 x 100 = 2.44% distinctly green kernels.

(5) 0.98% + 5.10% + 2.44% = 8.52% damaged kernels (add in hundredths and round 

to 8.5%).

Certification. Record the percentages of heat-damaged, distinctly green, and damaged

kernels (total) on the work record and certificate to the nearest tenth percent.
FGIS Directive 9180.52 March 14, 2022

Page 13

19. INCONSPICUOUS ADMIXTURE

Inconspicuous admixture is any seed, which is difficult to distinguish from mustard 

seed. Examples of inconspicuous admixture include but are not limited to rapeseed,

canola, wild mustard seed, and cow cockle.

Wild mustard seed

Color: varying shades of black to light reddish-brown.

Size: small

Shape: uniformly round or spherical compared to the irregular shape of rapeseed

Surface: at a magnification of 40/80 power, the reticulations appear thick and float with 

 very small interspaces and stipples

Note: Wild mustard seed does not have a longitudinal crease with a ridge on the 

center of the kernel.

Cow Cockle

Color: black

Size: about the same size as wild mustard seed.

Shape: not as round as wild mustard seed.

Surface: very bumpy

Note: After crushing, cow cockle tends to be white.

Basis of Determination. Determine inconspicuous admixture using the same 5-gram

portion used to determine heat-damaged and distinctly green kernels (refer to section 

18, Steps 3 - 5)

Before crushing, mark any seeds suspected of not being mustard seed and observe 

with a dissecting scope or magnifying glass. Use reference samples as an aid in 

identification.

It is extremely important for inspectors to rely on a dissecting scope or a 

magnifying glass and the crushed strips for identification of inconspicuous 

admixture.

All electrical units must have a seal of approval from Underwriters Laboratory 

(U/L) or a similar testing laboratory.

Mark seeds you suspect are not mustard seeds so that you can confirm after crushing.

Calculate the percentage of inconspicuous admixture based on count
FGIS Directive 9180.52 March 14, 2022

Page 14

Example:

10 kernels ÷ 500 kernels = 0.02 x 100 = 2.0% inconspicuous admixture.

Certification. Record the percentage of inconspicuous admixture on the work record 

and certificate to the nearest tenth percent.

Applicants may request certification of the percentage of wild mustard seed and cow 

cockle. If requested, show percentages of these factors on work record and certificate to 

nearest tenth percent

20. CERTIFICATION

Certify the analysis of mustard seed on a commodity inspection certificate. Issue 

a commodity inspection certificate (FGIS- 993) for lots officially sampled. Issue a 

commodity submitted sample inspection certificate (FGIS-994) for a sample submitted 

by an applicant or an agent

When an applicant requests analysis for only specific factors record the following 

sentence on the certificate:

“Specific factor analysis only.”

21. QUESTIONS

Direct any questions concerning this directive to the Policies, Procedures, and Market 

Analysis Branch at (202) 720-0228