During the sampling and inspection of the various seed lots encountered in the marketplace, seed lot size is documented for each sample obtained. Hence, as the figures in the following tables indicate, we concentrate more inspectional work towards those kinds where problems are more likely to occur. This is evident in the figures shown for inspectional coverage of crops such as alfalfas, clovers, and grasses. The following tables show the percentage of total distribution of each crop kind sampled, comparing the total amount distributed of each crop kind versus the sum of the total of the lot sizes of each sample obtained. The Indiana State Seed Laboratory functions as the testing arm of the Office of the State Chemist and Seed Commissioner to verify seed quality in reference to label claims made for seed being offered for sale.
Official testing is performed on all inspector-drawn samples taken for enforcement purposes.
Testing fees vary depending on sample type and number of components to be tested. The rules, which are routinely followed, summarize and make available the accumulated experience of seed analysts. Additional enforcement action was taken on 105 lots of seed involving stop sale orders issued for labeling and other infractions of the law during routine marketplace surveillance. Under the most perfect conditions of sampling and testing seeds, some variation will occur in the purity, germination, and noxious weed seed results if repeated tests are made. Tolerances adopted by the Association of Official Seed Analysts and policy guidelines are applied to test results to compensate for sampling and analytical variations.