Arkansas Administrative Code › Agency 003 - DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE › Division 11 - State Plant Board › Rule 003.11.06-003 - Circular 15 - Official Standards for Seed Certification

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 6, June, 2024
OUTLINE OF STEPS TO FOLLOW IN CERTIFYING
				SEED
1. Write for regulations
			 and application blank for the crop you want to certify. These are furnished by
			 the Plant Board. Study these regulations carefully.
2. Secure approved source of seed. Check the
			 regulation on this point.
3. Send
			 completed application to Plant Board Office, Little Rock. Unless you use your
			 own certified seed, be sure to include with your application a copy of the
			 invoice showing purchase of the seed, a set of tags from one of the bags and
			 about a one pound representative sample of the seed. Check the regulations for
			 each crop as to time applications should be made.
4. Completely clean all planting equipment of
			 other seeds and plant the seed for certification in a field which is relatively
			 free of noxious weeds, and one which conforms to the regulations as to
			 isolation from other crops and to crops grown on this field in previous years.
			 Check the regulations on these points for the seed you are
			 certifying.
5. Prior to the field
			 inspection by the Plant Board, be sure to rogue your field of noxious weeds,
			 other crops and off-type plants. This is a very important point and if the job
			 is done well it may mean the difference of the seed being certified or
			 disqualified.
6. Be sure to notify
			 the Plant Board office about two weeks ahead of the expected harvest date so
			 that the necessary field inspection can be made.
7. Completely clean all harvesting equipment
			 and storage of all other seeds so that no mixture will occur at this point. The
			 method of harvesting and the storage should be approved by the Plant Board
			 (check the cotton regulations for special requirements as to ginning and
			 storage of seed).
8. After harvest
			 is completed, report to the Plant Board the number of bushels of seed saved for
			 certification.
9. Keep a close
			 check on the seed in storage to see that the moisture content is low enough to
			 prevent heating. Before cleaning send in a representative sample for a
			 preliminary test. This would not be an official test.
10. Use the best equipment available for
			 cleaning and treating seed. If you are using someone else's facilities to clean
			 your seed, you may request that the Plant Board inspect the cleaning equipment
			 just prior to the cleaning of your seed.
11. New containers, approved reusable
			 containers, or dedicated bulk bins must be used for seed that is for
			 certification.
12. After the seed
			 have been cleaned, notify the Plant Board and an official representative sample
			 for an analysis and moisture test will be taken. This is the final step, and if
			 the analysis conforms to the regulations, you are in line for tags or bulk
			 certificates on your seed. Cottonseed may be officially sampled before being
			 cleaned either in bulk or bags. (Note: only certified blue-tag grade may be
			 sampled in the bulk and be eligible for tags or certificates.)
13. Tags and/or bulk certificates are issued
			 when ordered by the applicant.
14.
			 By carefully following the outline above you should not experience too much
			 difficulty in getting your seed certified. If at any time you have questions or
			 are in doubt about the next step to take, please feel free to contact the Plant
			 Board office.
NOXIOUS WEEDS OF ARKANSAS
Every certified seed grower should know and learn to recognize
				the noxious weeds of the state. By knowing these weeds a certified seed grower
				is in a much better position to successfully rogue his fields, thus enabling
				him to conform more easily to the regulations. The noxious weeds of Arkansas
				are as follows:
1. Field Bindweed
(Convolvulus arvensis)
2. Nutgrass
(Cyperus
			 rotundus)
3. Crotalaria
(Crotalaria spp.)
4.
			 Wild onion and/or wild garlic
(Allium spp.)
5. Johnsongrass
(Sorghum
			 halepense)
6. Dodder
(Cuscuta spp.)
7.
			 Bermudagrass
(Cynodon dactylon)
8. Cheat or Chess
(Bromus secalinus
			 and/or Bromus commutatus)
9.
			 Darnel
(Lolium temulentum)
10. Corncockle
(Agrostemma
			 githago)
11. Horsenettle
(Solanum carolinense)
12. Purple nightshade
(Solanum
			 elaeagnifolium)
13. Buckhorn
			 plantain
(Plantago lanceolata)
14. Dock and/or Sorrel
(Rumex
			 spp.)
15. Blueweed
(Helianthus ciliaris)
16. Morning Glory
(Ipomoea
			 spp.)
17. Hedge bindweed
(Calystegia sepium)
18. Giant Foxtail
(Setaria
			 faberi)
19. Cocklebur
(Xanthium spp.)
20.
			 Moonflower
(Ipomoea turbinata)
*21. Balloonvine
(Cardiospermum
			 halicacabum)
*22. Itchgrass
(Rottboellia cochinchinensis)
*23. Serrated Tussock
(Nassella
			 trichotoma)
24.
			 Barnyardgrass
(Echinochloa crusgalli)
*
			 25. Tropical Soda Apple
(Solanum viarum)
*Prohibited in both Field Standards and Cleaned Seed Standards
				for all crops certified.
When found in rice, the following weeds shall, in addition, be
				classed as noxious, and their presence must be indicated in accordance with the
				requirements for other noxious weeds:
(a) Red Rice
(Oryza sativa
			 var.),
(b) Curly indigo
(Aeschynomene spp.),
(c) Tall indigo or coffee bean
(Sesbania macrocarpa).
REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A STATE LICENSED PLANT
				BREEDER
(A) Any person wishing
			 to secure a license as a plant breeder shall first apply to the Board for a
			 Qualification Data Sheet, which must be filled out in complete detail and
			 returned to the Director, who shall place on file said data sheet and keep it
			 available for reference at all times.
(B) Only such persons bearing a reputation
			 for honesty, competency, and fair dealing will be favorably considered as
			 applicants.
(C) In order to obtain
			 a certificate as a state licensed plant breeder, all persons applying to the
			 board for seed registration will be required to appear before the Director at a
			 designated time and place, and stand a written examination on the scientific
			 principles and economic phases of plant breeding, the questions to be made out
			 and graded by the Agronomy Department, College of Agriculture and Home
			 Economics, University of Arkansas.
(D) In case any person applied to the Board
			 for a certificate who, operating a well established seed breeding unit
			 regularly, has in his employment under contract (a copy of which must be
			 furnished to the Director) one or more technically trained plant breeders, only
			 the employed plant breeder shall take the examination. The certificate, if
			 granted, shall be issued in the name of the applicant, but the name of the
			 plant breeder passing the required examination must appear thereon.
(E) A grade of seventy-five will be
			 considered a passing grade and any person making such a mark, or above, shall
			 when he has complied with all other requirements, and produced a commercial
			 quantity of Foundation or Registered seed, be issued a certificate as a
			 licensed plant breeder, and be entitled to purchase a sufficient number of
			 Foundation or Registered seed tags to cover the production of seed from the
			 acreage that has passed all requirements.
(F) Provided, that in addition to passing the
			 written examination the applicant shall maintain a breeding program which shall
			 be under the observation of the Director for a period of three years, and if at
			 the end of that time the methods used and the results obtained, are scientific
			 and worthy, then the certificate shall be issued. Or provided, that the
			 applicant shall employ one or more qualified plant breeders who shall have a
			 Master's or Doctor's degree in plant breeding, and only the employed plant
			 breeder shall take the examination, and as soon as a breeding program is
			 started the certificate shall be issued. In addition to the name of the
			 applicant the name of the breeder shall appear on the certificate. And
			 provided, that if for any reason the applicant's breeding program in any crop
			 shall be discontinued then the certificate covering that crop shall be revoked.
			 Also, any person having a doctorate degree in plant breeding and three years
			 experience would not be required to take the examination.
(G) Any person passing the written
			 examination or the field observations will not be required to pass an
			 additional examination, unless the certificate should be revoked, or his crop
			 should fail for a period to pass the necessary field inspection.
(H) Foundation seeds shall be produced only
			 by a person holding a certificate from the Board, entitling said person to be
			 officially designated as a licensed________breeder (name of crop to be inserted
			 in blank as said person may qualify).
(I) Any person seeking a certificate as a
			 producer of Foundation or Registered seed must own or control land necessary in
			 the breeding and production of seed of high purity and excellence. If the said
			 person does not own his land, it will be necessary to furnish the Director with
			 copies of all contracts or their equivalent, showing actual possession of the
			 land.
(J) All seed eligible for
			 Foundation grade and which is registered in the name of any person shall be his
			 own or his employed plant breeder's selection, except that a licensed plant
			 breeder may obtain Breeder seed of the crop for which he is licensed from
			 another licensed plant breeder, or Agricultural Experiment Station, or the
			 USDA, and produce Foundation seed from this material; provided he has written
			 approval from the organization releasing the variety concerned. In emergency
			 cases where there is no source of Foundation seed of a variety still in demand,
			 any licensed plant breeder may be permitted to take the variety for
			 purification, if necessary, and subsequently produce Foundation Seed.
1. Approval of new varieties: Those varieties
			 (and hybrids) approved by the State Plant Board in cooperation with the
			 Agricultural Experiment Station of the University of Arkansas will be eligible
			 for certification. Approval shall be based on:
(a) The variety must possess superior
			 germplasm. That is, the performance of the variety or hybrids in Experiment
			 Station or other suitable tests (minimum of three years) is such that it will
			 compare favorably with the varieties of the crop group now recommended by the
			 University of Arkansas for commercial production in the state.
(b) Blends, varietal mixtures and mass
			 crosses are not acceptable.
(c)
			 Varieties produced under a recognized name outside of the state are not
			 eligible for certification in the state under another name (same germplasm
			 used).
(d) In addition to the
			 above, the following conditions must be met:
(1) If the variety is a pure line selection,
			 the variety or material from which the selection was made must be
			 indicated.
(2) If the variety
			 resulted from hybridization, the application must state who made the cross. If
			 the line originated from a source other than the applicant's breeding nursery,
			 a copy of written approval for use of the material from which the line was
			 derived must accompany the application.
(3) The name must be satisfactory.
(4) The variety must be phenotypically
			 different or possess some characteristics such as plant height, grain color, or
			 disease resistance, etc., which will identify it from known
			 varieties.
(5) The variety must be
			 uniform in simply inherited plant and seed characters.
(K) Any licensed plant
			 breeder may have produced for him, under contract and under his direct
			 supervision, his Registered seed, provided, that each unit under contract must
			 comply with regulations specified hereafter under specific regulations of the
			 various crops.
(L) No person who
			 has been granted a certificate as a licensed plant breeder shall be allowed to
			 advertise the fact without designating in all such advertising material the
			 crop or crops that certificate is granted for.
GENERAL SEED CERTIFICATION STANDARDS
These general standards are applicable to all crops eligible
				for certification, and with the specific standards for each crop will
				constitute the Regulations for Seed Certification.
A.
Type of Certifying
			 Organization:
The Arkansas State Plant Board under Act 73 of Acts 1931
			 of the state legislature is the official certifying agent.
B.
Purpose of Certification:
The
			 purpose shall be to maintain and make available to the public, through seed
			 certification, high quality seeds and propagating materials of superior crop
			 plant varieties, so grown and distributed as to insure genetic identity and
			 purity.
C.
Eligibility of
			 Crop Varieties for Certification:
1.
			 Those varieties approved by the State Plant Board in cooperation with the
			 Agricultural Experiment Station of the University of Arkansas will be eligible
			 for certification. Only one variety of the same crop may be grown for
			 certification on a farm, except on prior approval of the certifying
			 agency.
2. The State Plant Board
			 shall require the originator, developer, or owner of the variety, or agent
			 thereof, to make the following available when eligibility for certification is
			 requested:
(a) The name of the
			 variety.
(b) A statement concerning
			 the variety's origin and the breeding procedure used in its
			 development.
(c) A detailed
			 description of the morphological, physiological, and other characteristics of
			 the plants and seed that distinguish it from other varieties.
(d) Evidence supporting the identity of the
			 variety, such as comparative yield data, insect and disease resistance, or
			 other factors supporting the identity of the variety.
(e) A statement delineating the geographic
			 area or areas of adaptation of the variety.
(f) A statement of the plans and procedures
			 for the maintenance of seed classes, including the number of generations
			 through which the variety may be multiplied.
(g) A description of the manner in which the
			 variety is constituted when a particular cycle of reproduction or
			 multiplication is specified.
(h)
			 Any additional restrictions on the variety, specified by the breeder, with
			 respect to geographic area of seed production, age of stand or other factors
			 affecting genetic purity.
(i) A
			 sample of seed representative of the variety as marketed.
3. Varieties may also be admitted into seed
			 certification after favorable action by one or more of the following:
1) National Certified Variety Review
			 Board
2) Plant Variety Protection
			 Office (must also include information listed in C. 2- e, f, g, h, and i
			 above)
3) AOSCA member
			 agency
4) Varieties eligible for
			 certification under O.E.C.D. Seed Schemes
D.
Classes of Certified Seed and
			 Definition of Terms:
Four classes of seed shall be recognized for seed
			 certification. These classes shall meet the specific requirements approved for
			 each crop. These classes are as follows:
1.
Breeder Seed (A class reserved for licensed plant breeders).
Breeder seed shall be seed directly controlled by the originator, or in certain
			 cases, the sponsoring plant breeder, which is used in developing and
			 maintaining a variety, and is never available to the public for general use.
			 Breeder seed is used for the production of Foundation, Registered or Certified
			 Seed. If Breeder seed is to be tagged, it must be tagged with a white tag
			 labeled "Breeder Seed".
2.
Foundation Seed.
Foundation seed shall be the progeny of Breeder
			 (or Foundation) seed so handled as to most nearly maintain specific genetic
			 identity and purity of the variety as described by the breeder in its approved
			 release and/or as described in the registration of the variety as approved by
			 the National Committee on Registration of Crop Varieties, and meets the
			 standards approved for this class. Foundation seed shall be produced only by or
			 under the direct supervision of a licensed plant breeder. White tags shall be
			 used to designate this class.
3.
Registered Seed.
Registered seed shall be the progeny of
			 Foundation seed that is so handled as to maintain satisfactory genetic identity
			 and purity, and meets the standards established for this class by the
			 certifying agency. Purple tags shall be used to designate this class.
4.
Certified Seed (Blue Tag).
Certified Blue Tag class seed shall be produced from either Foundation or
			 Registered class seed that has been so handled that it meets the standards
			 established for this class. A blue tag or label shall be used to designate this
			 class.
Note: At the discretion of the certifying agency a grower may
				be permitted to continue production of seed for certification from lots of seed
				that were fully inspected but rejected because of factors which did not involve
				genetic identity and purity of germplasm.
5.
Off-type.
Off-type means a
			 plant or seed which deviates in one or more characteristics from the
			 description filed with the certifying agency by the breeder as being usual for
			 the strain or variety.
E.
Limitation of Generations for
			 Certified Seed:
The number of generations through which a variety may be
			 multiplied shall be limited to that specified by the originating breeder or
			 owner and shall not exceed two generations beyond the Foundation seed class
			 with the following exceptions which may be made with the permission of the
			 originating or sponsoring plant breeder, institution, or the designee:
1. Recertification of the Certified class may
			 be permitted when no Foundation is being maintained.
2. The production of an additional generation
			 of the Certified class may be permitted on a 1-year basis only, when an
			 emergency is declared prior to the planting season by the State Plant Board,
			 stating that the Foundation and Registered seed supplies are not adequate to
			 plant the needed Certified acreage of the variety. The additional generation of
			 Certified seed to meet the emergency need is ineligible for
			 recertification.
F.
Establishing Source of Seed:
Any person applying for certification
			 on a crop planted from seed other than his own production, must submit with his
			 application, a copy of purchase invoice with identity, or other documentary
			 evidence to provide source, quantity, and class of seed planted. If application
			 covers seed of own production, the applicant shall identify the lot number,
			 quantity and class of seed being planted.
G.
Application:
A. The State Plant Board will furnish
			 application blanks for certifying seed. The dates for filing applications on
			 the various crops are as follows:
Small Grains (oats, wheat, rye,
						  barley)..................
..April 1
Red, white and crimson clover and
						  watermelons...
.April 20
Rapeseed and Eastern
						  Gamagrass.......................
.May 1
Fescue, vetch and
						  okra..........................................
..May 15
Corn........................................................................
June 1
Rice, cotton, lespedeza and
						  cowpeas....................
..July 1
Soybeans................................................................
..August 15
Sorghum.................................................................
September 1
B. The
			 State Plant Board will furnish application blanks for certifying vegetatively
			 propagated turfgrass applications. The date for filing applications is March
			 1st.
Applications should be made on or before the above dates. Late
				applications may be accepted provided they can be processed and the inspection
				made without jeopardizing the handling of those applications filed prior to the
				deadline date. The fee for late applications will be an additional $50.00 for
				each variety applied on. The applicant must have in force a valid Seed
				Labeler's License or Certification Permit
(Refer to Circular 10:
				Regulations on the Sale of Planting Seed in Arkansas, Section 5.
				Fees.)
H.
Fees:
The application fee and the acreage inspection fee shall be
			 paid at the time the application is filed for all crops except cotton. The
			 acreage inspection fee on cotton shall be paid prior to the time the field
			 inspection is made.
1. The application fee
			 for all seed crops for each variety shall be $20.00 and the acreage inspection
			 fee shall be $1.50 per acre for all crops, except rice, which shall be $2.25
			 per acre.
(a) An additional ten cents per
			 acre shall be paid in advance on each acre of certified seed with each
			 application. These fees shall be remitted through the Arkansas Seed Growers and
			 Seed Dealers' Associations to the Arkansas Seed Council for promotion and
			 advertising purposes for Arkansas certified seed.
(b) Promotion and advertising fee needs shall
			 be reviewed annually by the Plant Board and adjusted if necessary at the
			 request of the Arkansas Seed Dealers and Seed Growers Associations after a
			 public hearing.
2.
(a) Tags/Labels:
Printed pressure-sensitive
				labels..........................................10 cents each
Printed pressure-sensitive labels for approved reusable bulk
				containers........................................8 cents/50 lbs.
Unprinted tags and labels may be purchased at one-half the
				price of printed tags/labels when ordered in quantities of 5,000 or more. No
				refunds will be made for unused tags/labels.
(b) Blue Tag Bags/Approved New or Reusable
			 Containers:
Those applicants equipped and approved to label Blue Tag Grade
				seed on the containers shall report the amount in each lot so labeled.
Blue Tag
				Bags............................................................8
				cents/bag
Approved New or Reusable containers:
Rigid Mini-bulk Containers............................8
				cents/50 lbs.
Flexible Mini-bulk Containers (Superbags)....8
				cents/bushel
(c) Bulk
			 Certificates:
Those applicants selling crops eligible for bulk certification
				shall report the amount of each lot sold on bulk certificates and pay 8
				cents/bushel.
Bulk Certificate forms (used for all sales including a movement
				of the seed)....$0.25 each.
3.
Extra Inspections:
When an
			 extra inspection is necessary because of findings of a previous inspection, the
			 fees are as follows:
a)
1. Seed treating equipment only - $7.50 for
			 each trip.
2. Seed processing plant
			 or other similar inspections - $15.00 for each trip.
3. Isolation - $25.00 for each field/trip.
On inspections requiring more than 2 hours, $10.00 per hour
				will be charged for each additional hour.
b) Fields failing inspection - no more than 2
			 re-inspections will be made: the 1st reinspection will be charged one half the
			 acreage inspection fee for the crop kind per acre reinspected; the 2nd
			 reinspection would be the same as the acreage fee per acre for that
			 crop.
4.
Annual
			 License Fee
for a Registered Seed Technologist to analyze seed of
			 designated crops for Certification in Arkansas-$25.00.
5.
Fees for Vegetatively propagated
			 turfgrasses:
Application Fee: $20.00 for each variety.
Pre-plant inspections (to determine if meets land
				requirements):
a) Pre-plant
			 inspection: $25.00 per field per trip
b) If field fails pre-plant inspection and
			 re-inspection is necessary, reinspection fees are $50 per field per trip.
Acreage Inspection fees: $30.00 per acre. This includes the
				three required inspections* and official numbered certificates required for
				each shipment of certified sod, sprigs or plugs.
*Any re-inspections necessary between regularly scheduled
				inspections will be conducted at $50 per field per trip.
I.
Production of
			 Seed:
1.
Maintenance of Genetic
			 Purity and Identity.
The applicant for certification shall be
			 responsible for maintaining genetic purity and identity at all stages of
			 certification, including seeding, harvesting, storage, processing and labeling
			 of the seed. Failure of the applicant to maintain genetic purity and identity
			 at any stage of certification shall be cause for rejection of the crop for
			 certification.
2.
Unit of
			 Certification.
The unit of certification shall be a clearly defined
			 field or fields.
3.
Roguing
			 Fields.
Prior to the field inspection, applicants should rogue and
			 remove from their fields noxious weeds, off-type plants, varietal mixtures and
			 any other plants, the seeds of which are inseparable from the crop being
			 certified. Where extra inspections are requested, an additional charge will be
			 made (see section 3, under Fees).
4.
Field Inspections.
One or
			 more field inspections will be made as is deemed necessary by the certifying
			 agency. Field inspections will be made during a period when genetic purity and
			 identity can best be determined. Fields must be inspected prior to any
			 treatment used for drying or any action taken that would hinder a proper field
			 inspection for variety and/or weed identification. All fields must show signs
			 of good management and be clean enough to permit inspectors to make complete
			 observation of the crop being certified. Applicant shall have someone available
			 to show the inspector the fields that are to be checked.
J.
Cleaning Equipment: It is the
			 applicant's responsibility to make sure that all seeders, drills, wagons,
			 trucks, harvesters, cleaners, bins, etc., are thoroughly cleaned of other
			 seeds. The applicant may, before starting to clean seed, secure the Board's
			 approval of the cleaning equipment. (See FEE section for the cost(s) of this
			 optional service.)
K.
Storage and Storage Inspection:
1. Seed must be stored in dry,
			 well-ventilated water-proof buildings accessible for inspection. If in bulk, it
			 must be separated from any other bulk seed by tight walls which will in no way
			 permit mixing. This applies to different strains or grades of the same
			 variety.
2. At least one storage
			 inspection will be made by a representative of the State Plant Board at such a
			 time as is deemed most appropriate by the certifying agency.
L.
Processing of
			 Seed:
1. The following requirements
			 must be met by processors of all classes of certified seed:
(a) Facilities shall be available to perform
			 processing without introducing admixtures.
(b) Identity of the seed must be maintained
			 at all times.
(c) Records of all
			 operations relating to certification shall be complete and adequate to account
			 for all incoming seed and final disposition of seed.
(d) Processors shall permit inspection by the
			 certifying agency of all records pertaining to all classes of certified
			 seed.
(e) Processors shall
			 designate an individual who shall be responsible to the certifying agency for
			 performing such duties as may be required by the certifying agency.
(f) Seed lots of the same variety and class
			 may be blended and the class retained. If lots of different classes are
			 blended, the lowest class shall be applied to the resultant blend. Such
			 blending can only be done when authorized by the State Plant Board.
(g)
1. All
			 seed approved for certification must be packed in new containers or approved
			 reusable containers as indicated below.
Registered Grade:
a) New flexible mini-bulk (superbags) or
			 rigid mini-bulk containers (as approved by the Plant Board Seed Division) for
			 all crops.
Note: Lot size for registered grade crops packed in these
				containers is limited to 3,000 bushels per lot.
Blue tag Grade
approved reusable containers are
				the following:
a) Rigid Mini-bulk
			 containers, (as approved by the Plant Board Seed Division,) for soybeans, rice
			 or wheat.
b) Flexible Mini-bulk
			 containers (Superbags - new or cleaned) for soybeans, rice or wheat.
2. Blue-tag grade wheat may be
			 sold in bulk (see Section P).
(h) New moisture tests are not required on
			 lots after treatment (with fungicides, etc.) if the lot met the standards for
			 moisture when sampled for complete analysis before treatment.
2.
Bulk Transfers:
Seed eligible for certification may be sold from one
				seedsman to another while in bulk, provided, that the identity of the seed has
				been maintained at all times and that the appropriate documents have
				accompanied the shipment. Contact the Plant Board for specific
				instructions.
Inspectors shall make random checks to see that the seed
				is being properly handled.
Note: See special requirement for processing cottonseed under
				regulations for cotton.
M.
Sampling:
An official sample
			 of each lot of seed to be certified shall be obtained by a representative of
			 the State Plant Board, at the request of the applicant, from those lots that
			 are so stored that a complete representative sample may be drawn. These samples
			 will be drawn according to the rules of the Association of Official Seed
			 Analysts. These samples, if used as a basis for approving lots for
			 certification, shall be taken only from lots that have been cleaned, graded,
			 and packed in approved containers, each of which is printed or stenciled to
			 show the lot number, except that, all grades of cottonseed may be sampled in
			 bulk, and Blue Tag Grade seed of all other crops may be sampled in bulk
			 provided the seed has been cleaned and graded.
In order to secure a representative sample, equal portions
				shall be taken from evenly distributed parts of the quantity of seed to be
				sampled. Access shall be had to all parts of that quantity. When more than one
				trierful of seed is drawn from a bag, different paths shall be followed. When
				more than one handful is taken from a bag, the handfuls shall be taken from
				well-separated points. Sampling of seed for certification shall be accomplished
				by one of the following approved sampling methods:
1. If seed is sampled after processing and
			 closing of bags, a probe or trier long enough to sample all portions should be
			 used for free flowing seed. Non-free flowing seed, such as certain grasses and
			 other seeds difficult to sample with probe or trier, shall be sampled by
			 thrusting the hand into the bag and withdrawing representative portions.
When sampling closed bags in quantities of one to six bags,
				sample each bag and take a total of at least five trierfuls or handfuls. For
				lots of more than six bags, sample five bags plus at least 10% of the number of
				bags in the lot. Regardless of lot size, it is not necessary to sample more
				than thirty bags.
2. If
			 seed is sampled in bulk it shall be sampled by automatic sampler, turning the
			 bin, or inserting a long probe or thrusting the hand into the bulk as
			 circumstances require in at least seven uniformly distributed parts of the
			 quantity being sampled. At least as many trierfuls or handfuls shall be taken
			 as the minimum which would be required for the same quantity of seed in bags of
			 a size customarily used for each seed.
N.
Laboratory Analysis:
An
			 official laboratory analysis will be made by the State Plant Board Laboratory.
			 Also, a Registered Seed Technologist approved and licensed by the State Plant
			 Board may run an official analysis on seed for certification of designated
			 crops only. These analyses will be conducted according to the rules of the
			 Association of Official Seed Analysts, and will be made from samples obtained
			 by State Plant Board Inspectors. The sample on which the purity analysis and
			 noxious weed seed examination is made will not be less than the minimum weights
			 for working samples required by the State Plant Board's certification
			 regulations for the grade and kind of seed. Confirmation tests will be made by
			 the State Plant Board on samples tested by a licensed Registered Seed
			 Technologist and used as a basis for labeling seed for certification. Such
			 confirmation tests must show that the seed is truthfully labeled and meets the
			 minimum standards for the grade and kind of seed.
O.
Tags and Labels for Approved
			 Containers:
All classes of certified seed, when offered for sale, shall
				have an official certification label affixed to each container, clearly
				identifying the certifying agency, the reference number, the kind and variety
				name, and class of seed. Chemically treated seed shall be labeled to comply
				with the seed laws.
1. Traditional
			 Containers: Each container of certified seed, when sold or offered for sale,
			 shall bear a certification label obtained from the Plant Board, or an approved
			 label, carrying a complete analysis of the seed and all required
			 labeling.
2. Mini-bulk Containers
			 (such as the flexible or rigid containers as listed in section L.(g): During
			 conditioning, each bag will be labeled with kind, variety and lot number. When
			 offered for sale or sold, each container shall bear a certification label with
			 all required labeling. The weight may be left blank when labels are printed and
			 written in ink on each label. (Seedsmen who have equipment allowing equal
			 weight in each bag of a lot, may use labels with weight printed in.)
3. Blue-tag Bags/Preprinted labels: Labeling
			 for Blue Tag grade seed may be imprinted directly on the container in lieu of
			 using tags. In this case the Blue Tag grade certification label may be printed
			 on the container at the factory. Orders for containers printed in this manner
			 shall be filed with the Plant Board for prior approval before being printed.
			 Each applicant is responsible for seeing that his certified seed is correctly
			 bagged and labeled. Tags will be issued and orders for pre-printed containers
			 will be approved on orders from the applicant only.
An applicant has the option of having the Plant Board print the
				complete analysis on the certification tag, or he may have the tags issued
				showing his permit number or other identification numbers, or if equipped and
				approved may label the containers for Blue Tag Grade seed in lieu of using
				tags. In cases where the applicant completely prints his tags or labels, he
				shall furnish the Plant Board a true copy of a specimen tag or label for each
				lot so labeled and when labeled. In no case can the analysis used be below the
				minimum standards established for the grade and crop being certified. The Plant
				Board will make periodic checks and/or audits to verify the correct use and
				disposition of certified tags, preprinted containers, and other labeling
				used.
4. Labeling Seed for
			 Contract Producers: When an applicant for certification has contract producers
			 under his own application, and the seed furnished these contract producers was
			 grown by the applicant, or furnished from any other source, then such seed
			 shall be identified with a lot number on each container, if bagged, and shall
			 be truly represented as to purity and germination with a complete analysis
			 affixed to each container or to the delivery ticket.
5. Securing Labels: Certification labels
			 other than those printed on the containers shall be attached to containers in a
			 manner which prevents easy removal and re-attachment.
(a) With fabric bags or open top paper bags,
			 it is recommended that the tag be sewn on, or in the top of the bag.
(b) With valve filled paper bags and plastic
			 bags or containers (including metal), it is recommended that the label be glued
			 to the container with an adhesive which prevents removal without destroying the
			 label.
(c) Closing of paper,
			 plastic, and metal containers will vary. The most satisfactory method is that
			 of cementing the closure with an adhesive (glue, pressure sensitive,
			 thermo-plastic, etc.), which prevents entry to the container without leaving
			 noticeable evidence of such tampering. Cementing the certification label over
			 the enclosure is recommended where practical.
(d) Special stapling devices may be used to
			 seal the package and attach the certification label. Any such staple should be
			 unique to certification, with a distinctive design or lettering. Ordinary
			 stapling devices are not recommended, but may be used.
(e) "Valve filled" paper bags shall be
			 considered adequately closed and sufficiently tamper-proof.
(f) Mini-bulk Containers (such as the
			 flexible or rigid containers as listed in section L.
(g) After filled and sampled for grade, bag
			 shall be sealed with a seal. Before shipping and after approval for grade, the
			 label will be attached and sealed to prevent removal.
P.
Certification of Seed in
			 Bulk:
Seed eligible for bulk certification shall meet all field and
				clean seed standards for certified seed as specified in these regulations. All
				rules for production, conditioning, and testing of certified seed shall apply,
				except that seed does not have to be in bags.
1.
Limitations:
a.
Only seed of wheat may be certified
			 in bulk.
b. Certification of
			 seed in the bulk shall be limited to the certified (BT) class.
c. Lots are limited to the size of the
			 bin.
d. Seed certified in the bulk
			 and sold in the bulk shall not be eligible for recertification.
e. If any seed is bagged out of a dedicated
			 bulk bin after conditioning and sampling for certified grade of the bulk lot is
			 completed, a voided bulk certificate for the amount bagged must be sent to the
			 certification office. (Reminder- Certified labels on bagged seed must have
			 originating certified grower's certification #.)
f.
Bulk sales shall be limited to a
			 maximum of two movements:
1) from
			 applicant producer to an approved retailer or consumer.
2) from approved retailer directly to the
			 consumer who will plant the seed.
(Form 24 Bulk transfers of seed between certified
				growers/seedsmen are unlimited.)
2. Application for bulk certification:
a. In order for a seedsman/producer or retail
			 facility to sell bulk certified seed, an application for bulk certification and
			 order for bulk certificates must be made to the Arkansas State Plant Board Seed
			 Certification office, no later than December 15th for wheat.
Retail Seed Facilities that are not certified producers/dealers
				must secure approval from the Arkansas State Plant Board. Application for a
				retail facility to sell bulk certified seed from their facility will be
				approved after the applicant's storage has been inspected and acceptable
				procedures for receiving, storing, dispensing and record keeping for
				maintaining identity of the seed have been demonstrated.
b. Each seedsman and/or retail seed facility
			 must have in force a current Arkansas Bulk Certification Permit for each
			 location where bulk seed will be sold. Each facility will be subject to
			 inspection by the Plant Board to assure acceptable procedures are being used in
			 handling, storing, dispensing and record keeping for maintaining identity of
			 bulk certified seed.
The Bulk Certification Permit fee is $10.00 for each
			 Retail location.
c.
			 Justified complaints from inspectors and/or consumers of bulk certified seed
			 will be handled through the civil penalty enforcement process and/or
			 arbitration.
3. Storage
			 Requirements:
a. A separate storage bin must
			 be available for each variety that will be sold in bulk.
1) Lots purchased from other certified
			 dealer/producers must be maintained as separate lots.
b. All bins must be clearly and prominently
			 marked to show crop and variety. The identity of all bulk lots (bin
			 designations and lot numbers) must be maintained until the entire lot is
			 disposed of.
c. Storage must be
			 such that genetic purity and identity can be maintained. All bins must be
			 constructed so that bin openings can be kept closed to prevent
			 contamination.
4.
			 Records/Bulk Certificate Fees:
a. The
			 serially numbered bulk certified seed certificate takes the place of the
			 certified seed tag. The buyer must receive a certificate for each load of bulk
			 certified seed. The required labeling information of the seed sold will be
			 preprinted on the certificates or written in ink on the bulk certificate at the
			 time of the sale. A copy of the certificate and any voided certificate must be
			 returned to the seed certification office at the end of the season.
Bulk Certificates (used for all sales including a movement of
				the seed) from a Certified Dealer/Producer to a Bulk Retail Facility or farmer
				will cost $0.25 each.
Copies of bulk certificates and a fee of $0.08 per bushel for
				the total amount sold as bulk certified shall be returned to the certification
				office at the end of each crop season (Jan. 15th for wheat).
b. The following records must be maintained:
The amount of seed grown, conditioned or purchased for bulk
				sale. The amount of bulk seed sold by variety and lot number. Current inventory
				of seed available for sale of each variety.
At the end of each crop season (Jan. 15 for wheat), a bulk
				certified sales summary for each variety and lot number shall be sent to the
				Certification office regarding all sales of bulk certified seed. Copies of
				retail certificates used as well as all unused certificates shall be returned
				at this time.
5.
			 Sampling:
a. Official samples for complete
			 test must be drawn from the cleaned seed after conditioning and/or treating.
			 After the official sample is taken, no additional seed may be added to the
			 lot.
Q.
Sale of Seed: Certified seed of any crop cannot be sold as such, under
			 any grade, until the seed has been properly cleaned, graded, packed in approved
			 containers, with tags/labels or (for seed allowed to be sold in bulk)
			 accompanied with a bulk certificate.
R.
Substandard Seed in
			 Emergencies:
It is recognized that in an emergency, such as unfavorable
			 weather conditions, much seed necessary for the advancement of crop improvement
			 would be lost if regular certification standards are adhered to. Therefore,
			 under such circumstances, seed failing to meet certification standards other
			 than those affecting genetic purity may be certified, provided there is no
			 injury to the reputation of certified seed.
S.
Interagency Certification:
Interagency Certification may be accomplished by participation of more than one
			 official certifying agency in performing the services required to certify a lot
			 of seed.
1. Arkansas Certification Standards,
			 or comparable standards of other official seed certifying agencies must be met
			 if the State Plant Board is to issue interagency certification tags. This
			 includes the requirement that all certified seed to be tagged by the State
			 Plant board must be analyzed by the State Plant Board Seed
			 Laboratory.
2. Seed to be
			 recognized for interagency certification must be received in containers
			 carrying official certification labels, or if shipped for processing, evidence
			 of its eligibility from another official certifying agency, together with the
			 following information:
(a) Variety (if
			 certified as to variety), and kind.
(b) Quantity of seed (pounds or
			 bushels).
(c) Class of certified
			 seed.
(d) Inspection or lot number
			 traceable to the previous certifying agency's records.
3. Each label used in interagency
			 certification shall be serially numbered, or carry the certification identity
			 number and clearly identify the certifying agencies involved and the variety
			 (if certified as to variety), kind and class of certified seed.
T.
Responsibilities:
1. Responsibility for any obligations, other
			 than those concerned with certification, arising from the sale or shipment of
			 seed which has been certified rests with the grower or subsequent handler
			 making the sale or shipment.
2.
			 Performance of the applicant's seed must closely approach any advertised
			 claims.
3. If the applicant cannot
			 give personal supervision to all operations, a competent and careful person
			 should be put in charge, who thoroughly understands the requirements for
			 certified seed production. No exceptions can be made for failure of applicant
			 to follow regulations either through neglect or of failure to understand
			 them.
U.
Special
			 Crops
Those crops, if accepted for certification, for which no standards
			 appear in this publication, will be certified on the basis of the minimum
			 standards established by the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies.
STANDARDS FOR CERTIFICATION OF CRIMSON
				CLOVER
A. The general seed
			 certification standards are basic, and together with the following specific
			 standards, shall constitute the regulation for the certification of crimson
			 clover.
1. Reseeding types of crimson clover,
			 before being certified, will have to be proven to reseed under Arkansas
			 conditions.
B.
Land Requirements:
1. A crop of the
			 same kind must not have been grown or planted on the land for 5, 3 and 2 years
			 prior to stand establishment for producing the Foundation, Registered and
			 Certified seed classes respectively.
2. The land must be free of volunteer plants
			 during the year immediately prior to establishment; however, reseeding
			 varieties of Crimson Clover may be allowed to volunteer back year after year on
			 the same ground. When a new reseeding variety is being planted where another
			 variety once grew, the field history requirements apply.
3. No manure or other contaminating material
			 shall be applied the year previous to seeding or during the establishment and
			 productive life of the stand.
C.
Field Standards:
1.
Isolation:
All fields used
			 for the production of certified seed must have the minimum isolation distance
			 from fields of any other variety, or fields of the same variety that do not
			 meet the varietal purity requirements for certification, as given in the table
			 below:
Isolation For
-
Foundation
Registered
Certified Blue Tag
Fields of less than 5 acres
100 rods
60 rods
30 rods
Fields of more than 5 acres
60 rods
30 rods
20 rods
2.
Field Inspection:
Factor
MAXIMUM PERMITTED IN EACH
						  CLASS
Registered
Certified Blue Tag
Other Varieties 1.
None
.02% (1 in 5000)
.05% (1 in 2000)
Objectionable Noxious Weeds 2.
None
None
None
1.
Other varieties shall be plants that can be differentiated from the
			 variety being inspected.
2.
Objectionable noxious weeds shall include field bindweed, nutgrass,
			 dodder, wild onion or wild garlic, johnsongrass, balloonvine, serrated tussock,
			 itchgrass, and tropical soda apple.
D.
Standards for Cleaned Seed:
Factor
STANDARDS FOR EACH CLASS
Registered
Certified Blue Tag
Pure Seed (minimum)
98%
98%
98%
Other Varieties or Other Crop (maximum)
18 per lb.
18 per lb.
27 per lb.
Other Noxious Weeds & Crops 2.
None
None
None
Objectionable Weeds 1.
None
18 per lb.
27 per lb.
Total Weed Seed (maximum)
.25%
.25%
.5%
Inert Matter (maximum)
2%
2%
2%
Germination, Including Hard Seed (minimum)
85%
85%
85%
1. Objectionable
			 weeds shall include perennial wild geranium (Geranium maculatum), cleavers
			 (Galium aparine), darnel, corncockle and buckhorn plantain.
2. Crimson clover certified for any class
			 shall be free of seeds and/or bulbs of all the other noxious weeds of Arkansas
			 not listed above, also, mustards, rapes, turnips, balloonvine, serrated
			 tussock, itchgrass, and tropical soda apple.
STANDARDS FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF
				COTTONSEED
A. The general seed
			 certification standards are basic, and together with the following specific
			 standards, shall constitute the regulations for the certification of
			 cotton.
B.
Licensed Cotton
			 Breeders:
A licensed cotton breeder producing Foundation and Registered
			 seed shall maintain a complete cotton breeding unit consisting of single stalk
			 selections, inbred lines, or hybrids, planted in "plant-to row, or mass
			 selection plots"; first, second, and third year multiplication plots and
			 producing fields; all of which shall be well marked, so that their identity in
			 the field is maintained. Complete records shall be kept showing the planting
			 scheme, giving comparative data on the characteristics of the above work for at
			 least three years. He shall have available for use such small gins, scales and
			 other equipment that is necessary to efficiently process the breeding plots.
			 Said equipment and records shall be available for inspection by Plant Board
			 representatives at all times.
C.
Application and Classes:
1.
			 Application for the production of Foundation, Registered, or Blue Tag certified
			 seed must cover the entire cotton acreage of the applicant, including the
			 entire acreage of tenants and contract growers.
A. Contract growers for a licensed plant
			 breeder may only produce one variety on any farm unit or as per specifications
			 of the originating breeder and/or institution and approved by the State Plant
			 Board.
B. Applicants producing
			 Certified Seed shall produce only one variety, except that if applicant or his
			 tenants, or contract growers have other farms which are operated as separate
			 units as to labor and equipment, these units may be planted either with
			 non-certified cotton or with certified cotton of another variety or
			 grade.
2. Applications
			 must be filed with the Plant Board by July 1, so an inspector may check and
			 sample the seed to be planted.
D.
Field Standards:
1. The isolation required for the various
			 classes is shown in the table below:
Class
Cottons of similar staple length and plant
						  characters:
Cottons of widely different staple length and
						  plant characters:
Foundation
15 ft.
300 ft.
Registered
15 ft.
300 ft.
Blue Tag Certified
15 ft.
100 ft.
Note: The isolation required from cottons, such as red or sea
				island, shall be one-fourth mile.
2. Cotton plants in adjoining fields, if
			 within the distances shown in the table above, must be destroyed by disking or
			 shredding, otherwise the field will be disqualified. Marking off the too-near
			 strip, picking and ginning it separately, or furnishing certified seed to be
			 planted in the too-near strip is not permissible in lieu of cutting back, nor
			 is the use of barrier rows of corn or sorghum in place of these distances. If a
			 field is cut back, and destroyed by disking or shredding, this must be verified
			 by a Plant Board inspector before the field is picked.
3. If a field is disqualified, this will also
			 disqualify all other cotton which is produced with the same labor and equipment
			 unless arrangements can be made, satisfactory to the Plant Board, for the
			 separate harvesting and ginning of the disqualified field.
Example:
If one of a contract grower's fields is disqualified
			 because of varietal mixture, or nearness to other cotton, all other fields of
			 this contract grower, which are farmed with the same labor and equipment, would
			 be thrown out unless satisfactory arrangements can be made to harvest and gin
			 the disqualified field separately.
4. Fields for certification shall meet the
			 standards shown in the table below at the time the field inspection is made:
Factor
MAXIMUM PERMITTED IN EACH
						  CLASS
Foundation
Registered
Certified Blue Tag
Other varieties- definite including off-type
						  plants
None
1 plant per acre
5 plants per acre
Balloonvine, Serrated Tussock and Itchgrass
None
None
None
E.
Ginning and Storage:
1. A licensed plant breeder shall show that
			 he has complete control of a gin upon which no other cotton shall be ginned for
			 the season except that being grown under his own application. If the breeder
			 does not own the gin, then a copy of the contract with the owner of the gin
			 must be supplied to the Plant Board. If a licensed plant breeder can fulfill
			 all other regulations herein, but has insufficient acreage to enable him to get
			 control of a separate gin, this fact may be made known to the Director, and if
			 it shall appear practical, the Director may grant special permission for such
			 cotton to be ginned on a custom gin,
provided,
before doing so the
			 applicant will furnish copy of the ginning contract, showing permission for
			 dropping the rolls, and otherwise thoroughly cleaning the gin according to the
			 Plant Board Seed Certification gin clean up procedures:
A. The Arkansas State Plant Board Seed
			 Certification Office will be notified in advance of scheduled ginning of
			 certified cotton. Notification will be repeated when changing varieties, before
			 ginning the new variety.
B. The gin
			 must be thoroughly cleaned just prior to ginning any Foundation or registered
			 cotton. This includes dropping the rolls and making sure all conveyers and seed
			 handling systems are cleaned. Floors should be swept or blown free of all seed
			 cotton. This should be followed by a five minute or more dry run of the gin
			 until all loose seed is eliminated from the system.
C. After start-up, gin three (3) bales per
			 stand and divert to an alternate location before saving any planting
			 seed.
D. Seed company
			 representatives will supervise the clean-ups, complete and sign the Gin
			 Inspection Form, sending the original to the Arkansas State Plant board Seed
			 certification Office.
E. The
			 Arkansas State Plant board may audit the above procedures as deemed necessary.
All ginning records must be kept available to the Director and
				his deputies. The Director is empowered to lay down special rules of ginning in
				individual cases. Foundation or Registered seed ginned on a custom gin must be
				stored in a building or room which has no direct connection with the gin, such
				as pipes or augers.
2. Blue tag certified cotton and registered
			 grade cotton, grown by anyone other than a licensed plant breeder, or under his
			 contract, shall be ginned on a certified one variety gin, that is, one which,
			 after being thoroughly cleaned is inspected and certified by the State Plant
			 Board as capable of maintaining a seed purity equal to or better than that
			 required by the standards set for certified seed of the variety and grade being
			 produced. It shall then become and remain a one variety gin for as long as it
			 subsequently gins the one variety, strain or grade for which it has been
			 certified, and complies with all other Plant Board regulations.
3. The gin, methods of handling the seed, and
			 the seed storage must be inspected and approved in advance of the ginning
			 season, as many inspections, as deemed necessary by the certifying agency,
			 shall be made during the ginning and processing season. Inspector will examine
			 gin records, check methods of handling seed, condition of storage, thoroughness
			 of cleaning seed, to see that all regulations have been met.
F.
Processing Seed:
1. If seed is processed at an applicant's own
			 plant, both the storage at the processing plant and all handling and processing
			 machinery shall be thoroughly cleaned, then inspected and approved before the
			 seed is processed. A licensed plant breeder shall be permitted to process his
			 Arkansas grown seed in his own plant outside the state; however, the plant must
			 be within a reasonable distance of the state border so that it can be properly
			 supervised by the State Plant Board, otherwise all other cottonseed for
			 certification shall be processed on a plant within the state borders.
2. If cottonseed for certification is to be
			 processed on a custom plant, the following conditions shall be met:
(1) All storage, processing and handling
			 equipment shall be completely cleaned of other seeds, then inspected and
			 approved by a State Plant Board representative prior to processing the seed. No
			 inspection shall be necessary when changing from one applicant's seed to
			 another's seed of the same variety, and the same or lower grade;
(2) If the seed is delivered to the
			 processing plant in bulk, it shall be in the applicant's own cleaned truck,
			 unless otherwise authorized;
(3)
			 The seed shall be bagged as it is processed in containers that are printed,
			 stenciled, or tagged in some way to identify the applicant, lot number, and the
			 variety;
(4)  The processor shall
			 keep a daily record of all seed processed, both certified and non-certified,
			 which shall be available for inspection at any time.
G.
Seed Standards:
Factor
STANDARDS FOR EACH CLASS
Foundation
Registered
Certified Blue Tag
Pure Seed (minimum)
99%
99%
99%
Other crop
None
None
None
Cocklebur (maximum)
None
1 seed in 4 lbs
1 seed in 2 lbs
Other Noxious Weeds including sandbur
None
None
None
Total Weed Seed (maximum)
.0%
.01%
.02%
Inert Matter (maximum)
1%
1%
1%
Moisture (maximum)
12%
12%
12%
Germination (minimum)
80%
80%
80%
STANDARDS FOR CERTIFICATION OF COWPEAS
A. The general seed certification standards
			 are basic, and together with the following specific standards, shall constitute
			 the regulations for certification of cowpeas.
B.
Land Requirements:
A crop
			 will not be eligible for certification if planted on land where cowpeas, other
			 than a certified crop of the same variety, were grown in the previous two
			 years.
C.
Isolation:
A
			 field for certification must be isolated from other cowpeas, by at least 30
			 feet. If the adjoining field is of the same variety and is being certified,
			 then no isolation would be required.
D.
Field Standards:
Factor
STANDARDS FOR EACH CLASS
Foundation
Registered
Certified Blue Tag
Other Varieties (definite)
None
2 plants per acre
4 plants per acre
Field Bindweed, Balloonvine, Serrated Tussock,
						  Itchgrass
None
None
None
Note: Only a small amount of johnsongrass in the field
				will be accepted.
E.
Standards for Cleaned Seed:
Factor
STANDARDS FOR EACH CLASS
Foundation
Registered
Certified Blue Tag
Pure Seed (minimum)
98%
98%
98%
Other Varieties (maximum)
None
1 in 4 lbs.
1 in 2 lbs.
Inert (maximum)
2%
2%
2%
Objectionable Noxious Weeds 1.
None
None
None
Other Noxious Weeds or Other Crop (maximum)
1 in 4 lbs.
1 in 4 lbs.
1 in 2 lbs.
Germination (minimum)
80%
80%
80%
1. Objectionable
			 noxious weeds shall include field bindweed, wild onion or wild garlic,
			 johnsongrass, nutgrass, bermudagrass, crotalaria, balloonvine, serrated
			 tussock, itchgrass, and tropical soda apple.
STANDARDS FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF TALL
				FESCUE
A. The general seed
			 certification standards are basic, and together with the following specific
			 standards, shall constitute the regulations for the certification of
			 fescue.
B.
Land
			 Requirements:
1. The production of
			 foundation seed shall be on land that has not grown or been seeded to the same
			 species during the previous five crop years.
2. The production of the registered or
			 certified classes shall be on land that has not grown or been seeded to the
			 same species during the previous crop year, except a certified class of the
			 same variety equal or superior to that of the crop seeded.
C.
Field Standards:
Factor
STANDARDS FOR EACH CLASS
Foundation
Registered
Certified Blue Tag
Other Varieties (definite)
None
.02% (1 in 5000)
.05% (1 in 2000)
Objectionable Noxious Weeds 1.
None
None
None
Isolation 2.
80 rods
40 rods
20 rods
1. Objectionable
			 noxious weeds shall include field bindweed, johnsongrass, wild onion or wild
			 garlic, balloonvine, serrated tussock, itchgrass, and tropical soda
			 apple.
2. This isolation is
			 required from other varieties or strains of the same species in bloom at the
			 same time.
D.
Standards for Cleaned Seed:
Factor
STANDARDS FOR EACH CLASS
Foundation
Registered
Certified Blue Tag
Pure Seed (minimum)
98%
98%
98%
Other varieties
9 per lb.
18 per lb.
45 per lb.
Objectionable Noxious Weeds 1.
None
None
None
Other Noxious Weeds or Other Crop
						  (maximum)
18 per lb.
27 per lb.
45 per lb.
Total Weed Seed (maximum)
.3%
.3%
.5%
Inert Matter (maximum)
2%
2%
2%
Germination (minimum)
80%
80%
80%
1. Objectionable
			 noxious weeds shall include field bindweed, wild onion or wild garlic,
			 johnsongrass, nutgrass, bermudagrass, crotalaria, balloonvine, serrated
			 tussock, itchgrass, and tropical soda apple.
STANDARDS FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF
				LESPEDEZA*
A. The general seed certification standards
			 are basic, and together with the following specific standards, shall constitute
			 the regulations for the certification of lespedeza.
* The Marion variety of Striate Lespedeza is allowed to be
				certified if it meets the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies
				(AOSCA) standards for lespedeza.
B.
Land Requirements:
1. A crop of the same kind must not have been
			 grown or planted on the land for 5,3 and 2 years prior to stand establishment
			 for producing the Foundation, Registered and Certified seed classes
			 respectively.
2. During the year
			 immediately prior to the seeding of any class of seed, the land shall be free
			 from volunteer plants. No manure or other contaminating material shall be
			 applied the year previous to seeding or during the establishment and productive
			 life of the stand.
C.
Field Standards:
1.
Isolation:
Lespedeza for certification must be isolated from any other
			 field not being certified of the same or another variety, or a certified field
			 of another variety by at least 15 feet. If the adjoining field has been sown
			 broadcast, this distance must be at least 30 feet.
2.
Field Inspection:
Factor
STANDARDS FOR EACH CLASS
Foundation
Registered
Certified Blue Tag
Other Varieties
.02% (1 in 5000)
.03% (3 in 10,000
.05% (1 in 2000)
Objectionable Noxious Weeds 1.
None
None
None
1.
			 Objectionable noxious weeds shall include field bindweed, wild onion, dodder,
			 johnsongrass, balloonvine, serrated tussock, itchgrass, and tropical soda
			 apple. Note: Field must be inspected each year a crop of seed for certification
			 is harvested whether lespedeza was seeded the same year or was a volunteer
			 stand.
D.
Standards for Cleaned Seed:
Factor
STANDARDS FOR EACH CLASS
Foundation
Registered
Certified Blue Tag
Pure Seed (minimum)
98%
98%
98%
Other Varieties or Other Crop (maximum)
27 per lb.
45 per lb.
45 per lb.
Objectionable Noxious Weeds 1.
None
None
None
Other Noxious Weeds (maximum)
27 per lb.
45 per lb.
45 per lb.
Inert Matter (maximum)
2%
2%
2%
Weed Seeds (maximum)
.5%
1%
1%
Germination including Hard Seed
						  (minimum)
80%
80%
80%
1. Objectionable
			 noxious weeds shall include field bindweed, wild onion, dodder, johnsongrass,
			 nutgrass, bermudagrass, crotalaria, balloonvine, serrated tussock, itchgrass,
			 and tropical soda apple.
STANDARDS FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF OKRA
				SEED
A. The general seed
			 certification standards are basic, and together with the following specific
			 standards, shall constitute the regulations for the certification of okra
			 seed.
B.
Land
			 requirements:
The crop to be certified must not be sown on land which
			 has within the last three years produced a crop of another variety of okra or
			 an uncertified crop of the same variety. It is suggested that land used be as
			 nearly free of nematodes as possible.
C.
Handling Crop Prior to Field
			 Inspection:
The grower will be responsible for the roguing of fields on
			 which certification is requested. The following program is suggested:
1. Check the field just before the first
			 blossoms open and remove all volunteer okra plants.
2. When the young plants and pods have
			 assumed definite varietal characteristics, inspect the field and remove all
			 off-type plants.
D.
Field Standards:
1.
Isolation:
The field to be certified must be isolated from non-certified
			 okra or certified okra of another variety by at least one-fourth
			 mile.
2.
Field
			 Inspection:
Two field inspections will be made. The first, as soon as
			 the first blossoms are open and the second when the first pods are ready for
			 harvest.
Factor
MAXIMUM PERMITTED - RATIO OF
						  PLANTS
Foundation
Registered
Certified Blue Tag
Other Varieties (definite)
None
1:2500
1:1250
Other Varieties (doubtful)
None
1:750
1:500
E.
Standards for Clean Seed:
Factor
STANDARDS FOR EACH CLASS
Foundation
Registered
Certified Blue Tag
Pure Seed (minimum)
N.S.
98.00%
98.00%
Inert Matter (maximum)
N.S.
2.00%
2.00%
Weed Seeds (maximum)
0.05%
0.05%
0.10%
Objectionable or Noxious Weed Seeds
						  (maximum)*
None
None
None
Total Other Crop Seeds (maximum)
None
0.02%
0.07%
Other Varieties (maximum)
None
0.01%
0.05%
Other Kinds (maximum)
None
0.01%
0.02%
Germination & Hard Seed (minimum)
N.S.
70.00%
70.00%
*Objectionable noxious weeds shall include field bindweed,
				johnsongrass, nutgrass, crotalaria, balloonvine, serrated tussock, itchgrass,
				and tropical soda apple.
STANDARDS FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF RAPE
				SEED
A. The general seed
			 certification standards are basic, and together with the following standards,
			 shall constitute the regulations for the certification of rape.
1. All certified rape being grown in Arkansas
			 must be treated with Benomyl or Iprodione when approved, or other registered
			 and approved chemical recognized to be equal to or greater than Benomyl or
			 Iprodione for the effective control of seedborne Blackleg, according to label
			 directions.
2. All certified rape
			 being grown in Arkansas must be field inspected for the presence of Blackleg.
			 If Blackleg infection is suspected, then it must be laboratory tested for
			 confirmation of the virulent strain.
B.
Land Requirements:
Foundation
			 and Registered seed of rape must be planted on land which did not produce rape
			 during the previous four years. Certified (Blue Tag) seed of rape must be
			 planted on land which did not produce rape during the previous three
			 years.
C.
Isolation:
Afield producing any class of Certified seed must have the minimum isolation
			 distance from fields of any other variety of the same kind or from
			 non-certified crop of the same variety as follows:
1. Producing Foundation or Registered rape
			 seed:
a) cross pollinated-1,320 ft.
b) self pollinated-660 ft.
2. Producing Certified (Blue Tag)
			 Rapeseed:
a) cross pollinated-330
			 ft.
b) self pollinated-330 ft.
			 Required isolation between classes (grades) of the same variety is 10
			 ft.
D.
Field Standards:
Factor
STANDARDS FOR EACH CLASS
Foundation
Registered
Blue Tag
Other Varieties
1 in 2000 plants
1 in 1000 plants
1 in 500 plants
E.
Standards for Cleaned Seed:
Factor
STANDARDS FOR EACH CLASS
Foundation
Registered
Blue Tag
Pure Seed (minimum)
99%
99%
99%
Inert Matter (maximum)
1.00%
1.00%
1.00%
Weed Seeds of Brassica spp. & Raphanus
						  raphanistrum
1 per lb.
3 per lb.
5 per lb.
Prohibited Noxious
None
None
None
Buckhom plantain, Dock, &Wild
						  Onion/Garlic
1 per lb.
3 per lb.
5 per lb.
Other Weeds
5 per lb.
10 per lb.
15 per lb.
Total Other Crop Seeds (maximum)
0.05%
0.10%
0.25%
Other Varieties (maximum)
0.05%
0.10%
0.25%
Other Kinds (maximum) *
0.01%
0.01%
0.01%
Germination (minimum)
85%
85%
85%
Moisture (maximum)
10%
10%
10%
* Shall not exceed 1 per pound for Foundation; 2 per pound for
				Registered; and 5 per pound for Certified (Blue Tag).
STANDARDS FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF RICE
A. The general seed certification
			 standards are basic, and together with the following specific standards, shall
			 constitute the regulations for the certification of rice.
B.
Land Requirements:
The crop
			 to be certified must not be sown on land which has within the last two years
			 produced a crop of another variety or an uncertified crop of the same
			 variety.
C.
Field
			 Standards:
1.
Isolation:
In order to prevent mechanical mixtures in planting, harvesting, running of
			 drain furrows, levees, etc., fields for certification shall be separated from
			 non-certified rice fields and from certified rice fields of another variety by
			 the following distances: if the nearby field is drill seeded the distance shall
			 be 15 ft., if ground broadcast seeded the distance shall be 50 ft, and if
			 aerial seeded the distance shall be 100 ft.
2.
Field Inspection Standards:
Factor
STANDARDS FOR EACH CLASS
Foundation
Registered
Certified Blue Tag
Other Varieties*
None
1 per 5 sq. rds.
1 persq. rd.
Curly Indigo, Coffee Bean, Itchgrass Field Bindweed,
						  Balloonvine, Serrated Tussock
None
None
None
Red Rice
None
None
1 plant per acre
Disease (cannot be controlled with seed
						  treatment)
None
None
None
*Other varieties shall not include variations which are
				characteristic of the variety.
Inspectors will, at the time the field inspection is made,
				report the amount of other noxious weeds present, give the general condition of
				the field, and note the presence of any disease which might seriously affect
				the quality of the seed.
D.
Standards for Cleaned Seed:
Factor
STANDARDS FOR EACH CLASS
Foundation
Registered
Certified Blue Tag
Pure Seed (minimum)
98%
98%
98%
Other Varieties*
None
None
2 per lb.
Other Crop Seeds (maximum)
None
None
2 per lb.
All Noxious Weeds
None
None
None**
Total Weed Seed (maximum)
.03%
.03%
.08%
Inert (maximum)
2%
2%
2%
Germination (minimum)
80%
80%
80%
Moisture (maximum)
14%
14%
14%
* Other varieties shall not include variations which are
				characteristics of the variety.
** Four pounds shall be hulled from each lot to determine the
				noxious weed content, including red rice.
STANDARDS FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF SMALL
				GRAINS
(Oats, Wheat, Rye and Barley)
A. The general seed certification standards
			 are basic, and together with the following specific standards, shall constitute
			 the regulations for certification of small grains.
B.
Land Requirements:
A small
			 grain crop may only be planted on land on which any small grain planted in the
			 previous two years was of another crop kind, or was planted with a class of
			 certified seed of the same variety.
Point of clarification: Land requirements are also met if
				cultivated crops were grown on the land the previous two summers and the land
				winter fallowed.
C.
Field Standards:
1.
Isolations:
Rye for certification shall be isolated from another variety
			 or from non-certified rye of the same variety by at least one-fourth mile.
			 Wheat, barley or oats for certification shall be isolated from other crops by
			 15 feet, and if the adjoining field to the one being certified has been sown
			 broadcast, then the isolation required is 30 feet. No isolation would be
			 required if the adjoining field is the same variety and is certified.
2.
Field Inspection:
Factor
STANDARDS FOR EACH CLASS
Foundation
Registered
Certified Blue Tag
Other Varieties-definite
None
.02% (1 in 5000)
.04% (1 in 2500)
Other Crop 1.
None
.01% (1 in 10,000)
.04% (1 in 2500)
Objectionable Noxious Weeds 2.
None
None
None
Diseased Plants (smut)
.02% (1 in 5000)
.05% (1 in 2000)
.1% (1 in 1000)
1.
			 Other crops shall mean those crops that would be difficult to separate from the
			 crop being certified by the usual cleaning methods.
2. Objectionable noxious weeds shall include
			 field bindweed, serrated tussock, itchgrass, tropical soda apple, wild onion or
			 wild garlic, balloonvine, and johnsongrass, except that johnsongrass will be
			 permitted at the time of field inspection in wheat only.
D.
Standards for Clean Seed:
Factor
STANDARDS FOR EACH CLASS
Foundation
Registered
Certified Blue Tag
Pure Seed (minimum) 1.
98%
98%
98%
Other Varieties
None
1 per lb.
4 per lb.
Other Crop (maximum)
1 per lb.
2 per lb.
4 per lb.
All Noxious Weeds (In Wheat)
None
None
None
Objectionable Noxious Weeds 2.
None
None
None
Other Noxious Weeds (Oats, Rye, Barley)
1 per lb.
2 per lb.
4 per lb.
Inert Matter (maximum) 3.
2%
2%
2%
Moisture (maximum)
14%
14%
14%
Germination (minimum) 4.
85%
85%
85%
1. Minimum pure
			 seed for rye shall be 96%.
2.
			 Objectionable noxious weeds shall include field bindweed, wild onion or wild
			 garlic, johnsongrass, nutgrass, bermudagrass, crotalaria, balloonvine, serrated
			 tussock, itchgrass, and tropical soda apple.
3. The maximum inert for rye shall be
			 4%.
4. The minimum germination for
			 rye shall be 70%.
STANDARDS FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF SORGHUM
A. The general seed certification standards
			 are basic, and together with the following specific standards shall constitute
			 the regulations for the certification of sorghum.
B.
Land Requirements:
The crop
			 to be certified must not be planted on land which has within the last year
			 produced a certified crop of another variety, or an uncertified crop of either
			 the same or another variety.
C.
Field Standards:
1.
Isolation:
Fields of sorghum for certification shall be isolated from
			 other kinds of varieties and from fields of the same variety that do not meet
			 the varietal purity standards for certification, as shown in the table below:
Class
Minimum Isolation
Foundation
60 rods
Registered
60 rods
Blue Tag Certified
40 rods 1.
1.
(a) For Sudan grass the minimum isolation
			 shall be 60 rods from any other variety of Sudan grass.
(b) The minimum isolation for sorghum from
			 any Sudan grass shall be 60 rods.
2.
Field Inspection:
Factor
STANDARDS FOR EACH CLASS
Foundation
Registered
Certified Blue Tag
Other Varieties-definite
None
None
.005% (1 in 20,000)
Off-type or Doubtful Plants
None
.01% (1 in 10,000)
.02% (1 in 5,000)
Field Bindweed, Johnsongrass, Itchgrass, Tropical Soda
						  Apple, Balloonvine, Serrated Tussock
None
None
None
Seedborne Disease (smut)
None
None
.01% (1 in 10,000)
D.
Standards for Cleaned Seed:
Factor
STANDARDS FOR EACH CLASS
Foundation
Registered
Certified Blue Tag
Pure Seed (minimum)
98%
98%
98%
Other Varieties (definite)
None
None
2 per lb.
Objectionable Noxious Weeds 1.
None
None
None
Other Noxious Weeds or other Crop Seed
2 per lb.
2 per lb.
3 per lb.
Total Weed Seed (maximum)
.1%
.1%
.1%
Inert Matter (maximum)
2%
2%
2%
Germination (minimum)
80%
80%
80%
Moisture (maximum)
13%
13%
13%
1. Objectionable
			 noxious weeds shall include field bindweed, johnsongrass, wild onion or wild
			 garlic, bermudagrass, nutgrass, crotalaria, balloonvine, serrated tussock,
			 itchgrass, tropical soda apple.
STANDARDS FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF SOYBEANS
A. The general seed certification standards
			 are basic, and together with the following specific standards, shall constitute
			 the regulations for certification of soybeans.
B.
Land Requirements:
Soybeans
			 shall not be grown on land where the previous crop was soybeans unless the
			 preceding soybean crop was planted with certified seed of the same variety or
			 unless the variety planted is of a contrasting pubescence or hilum
			 color.
C.
Field
			 Standards:
1.
Isolation:
Soybeans for certification must be isolated from any other field not being
			 certified of the same or another variety, or a certified field of another
			 variety by at least 5 feet for Blue Tag grade and 15 feet for Foundation and
			 Registered grades.
2.
Field
			 Inspection:
Factor
STANDARDS FOR EACH CLASS
Foundation
Registered
Certified Blue Tag
Other Varieties 1.
*.02% (1 in 5000)
*.03% (1 in 3600)
*09% (3 in 3600)
Field Bindweed, Balloonvine, Serrated Tussock,
						  Itchgrass
None
None
None
1.
			 Other varieties shall include plants that are distinctly different from the
			 variety being inspected.
Note: Only a small amount of johnsongrass in the field will be
				permitted.
*Allowances for certified Hutcheson and Caviness Soybeans is up
				to 1/200 other varieties for BlueTag grade, 1/500 for Registered grade and
				1/1000 for Foundation grade. (For the Caviness variety, this allowance will
				expire in July 2004)
D.
Standards for Cleaned Seed:
Factor
STANDARDS FOR EACH CLASS
Foundation
Registered
Certified Blue Tag
Pure Seed (minimum)
98%
98%
98%
Other Varieties
*None
*1 in 1 lb.
*3 in 1 lb.
Other Crop (maximum)
None
1 in 3 lbs
1 in 2 lbs.
Corn or Sunflower Seed (maximum)
None
None
1 in 1 lb.
Noxious Weeds
None
None
None
Inert Matter (maximum)
2%
2%
2%
Germination (minimum)
80%
80%
80%
Moisture (maximum)
14%
14%
14%
1. Foundation
			 Grade Soybean Seed grown on fields infested with Soybean Cyst Nematode and/or
			 Cocklebur, Morning Glory and Moonflower shall be cleaned over spiral cleaners.
* Allowance for certified Hutcheson and Caviness Soybeans is up
				to 0.50% other varieties for BlueTag grade, 0.20% for Registered grade and
				o.10% for foundation grade. (For the Caviness variety, this allowance will
				expire in July, 2004)
STANDARDS FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF VETCH
A. The general seed certification standards
			 are basic, and together with the following specific standards, shall constitute
			 the regulations for certification of vetch.
B.
Land Requirements:
1. A crop of the same kind must not have been
			 grown or planted on the land for 5, 3, and 2 years prior to stand establishment
			 for producing the Foundation, Registered, and Certified seed classes,
			 respectively.
2. The land must be
			 free of volunteer plants of Vetch during the year immediately prior to
			 establishment. No manure or other contaminating material shall be applied the
			 year previous to seeding or during the establishment and productive life of the
			 stand. Requirement is waived if the previous crop was of the same variety and
			 of a Certified class equal or superior to that of the crop seeded.
C.
Field Standards:
1.
Isolation:
All fields for
			 certification must have 25 rods isolation distance from fields of another
			 variety of the same species, or from fields of the same variety that do not
			 meet the varietal purity requirements for certification. The isolation distance
			 between classes of the same variety may be reduced to 10 feet, regardless of
			 class, or size of field.
2.
Field Inspection:
Factor
STANDARDS FOR EACH CLASS
Foundation
Registered
Certified Blue Tag
Other Varieties
.02% (1 in 5000)
.02% (1 in 5000)
.04% (1 in 2500)
Objectionable Noxious Weeds 1.
None
None
None
1.
			 Objectionable noxious weeds shall include field bindweed, wild onion or wild
			 garlic, balloonvine, serrated tussock, itchgrass, and tropical soda apple.
Note: Only a small amount of johnsongrass in the field will be
				permitted.
D.
Standards for Cleaned Seed:
Factor
STANDARDS FOR EACH CLASS
Foundation
Registered
Certified Blue Tag
Pure Seed (minimum)
98%
98%
98%
Other Varieties or Other Crop (maximum)
1 in 2 lbs.
1 per lb.
2 per lb.
Objectionable Noxious Weeds 1.
None
None
None
Other noxious weeds
1 per lb.
1 per lb.
2 per lb.
Total Weeds (maximum)
0.1%
0.1%
0.1%
Inert Matter (maximum)
2%
2%
2%
Germination Including Hard Seed
						  (minimum)
80%
80%
80%
1. Objectionable
			 noxious weeds shall include field bindweed, wild onion or wild garlic,
			 johnsongrass, nutgrass, bermudagrass, crotalaria, balloonvine, serrated
			 tussock, itchgrass, and tropical soda apple.
STANDARDS FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF
				TURFGRASS
VEGETATIVELY PROPAGATED TURFGRASS
I.
Application and Amplification of
			 General Certification Standards
A. The
			 General Seed Certification Standards are basic and together with the following
			 specific standards, constitute the standards for certification of vegetatively
			 propagated turfgrasses.
New applicants are required to be familiar with Arkansas
				Certification requirements. Turfgrass applications not received by May 1, with
				the exception of new producers, will not be accepted. Applicants wishing to
				certify a variety not currently in production in Arkansas will be required to
				submit documentation on the candidate variety to the State Plant Board a
				minimum 60 days prior to planting. That documentation will include:
(1) a breeders description, prepared by the
			 person or organization responsible for developing the variety,
(2) copies of any production and/or royalty
			 agreement associated with securing the right to produce the variety.
B. The General Standards are
			 modified as follows:
1. Foundation Turf -
			 shall be the vegetative increase of breeder's turf, or in certain cases the
			 increase of foundation turf.
2. *
			 Registered Turf - shall be the vegetative increase of foundation
			 turf.
3. Certified Turf - shall be
			 the vegetative increase of registered turf or foundation turf.
4. Application blanks for certification of
			 vegetatively propagated turfgrasses will be furnished by the Plant Board. A map
			 showing the location of each kind and variety must accompany the application
			 for field inspection and certification. Any person applying for certification
			 on a variety planted from a source other than his own production, must submit
			 with his application a copy of the invoice and a tag from one of the
			 containers, which will establish the quantity and grade of the planting stocks.
			 Application should be made by March 1 of each year for current crop. Fees are
			 listed in Section H of these regulations.
5. The field of each kind and variety must be
			 identified at all times by an appropriate sign and field number and map with
			 field number noted.
6. Life of
			 Stand: The life of the stand will continue for all classes of vegetatively
			 propagated turf grasses as long as the varietal and mechanical purity for the
			 class is maintained.
*A grower of registered turf may increase the original
				foundation class planting to no more than 10 acres if the increase is
				continuous within the original field and an ASPB inspector is present at
				harvest.
C.
			 Responsibilities of the Grower: The Grower is responsible for:
1. Making certain that all grass represented
			 on the certificate was inspected and accepted for certification.
2. Making certain the certificate contains
			 all the required information and is correct (i.e., kind, variety, quantity,
			 billing invoice, field #, harvest date, and grower information).
3. Making sure that grass represented by the
			 certificate continues to meet the appropriate Turfgrass Standards after the
			 inspection.
4. Making sure the
			 certificate accompanies each shipment of grass
5. Mailing the appropriate certificate copy
			 to the Plant Board Certification office weekly.
6. Preventing non-certified grass from being
			 sold as certified grass.
7. Making
			 certain that those records required in the Turfgrass Standards are maintained.
INSTRUCTIONS AND PROCEDURES
1. The initial planting for production of
			 foundation vegetatively propagated turfgrasses will be in rows not less than
			 12" apart.
2. All planting, mowing,
			 harvesting and loading equipment must be thoroughly cleaned prior to entering
			 the field.
3. An official numbered
			 certificate will accompany each shipment of certified sprigs, sod or
			 plugs.
4. A complete record on the
			 amount of certified turf sales will be maintained and made available to the
			 official certifying agency. The record will include (a) class of certified turf
			 sold (Foundation, Registered or Certified), (b) kind and variety, (c) field
			 number, (d) date of harvest, (e) amount of turf shipped (square feet, cubic
			 feet, bushels, etc.)
II.
Land Requirements - (Rules covering
			 land prior to planting)
A. A field to
			 be eligible for the production of registered or certified turf must have been
			 inspected and found to be free of all perennial grasses, objectionable and
			 noxious weeds. A second inspection will be made approximately four to six weeks
			 after planting.
B. Size of Field:
			 Maximum:
a. Foundation: ten acres
b. Registered: ten acres
c. Certified: no limit
C. All registered class grass will be
			 produced on fumigated land or inspected for an entire growing season and meet
			 section II, A, requirements.
D. Land fumigated must lay idle for a period
			 of not less than three weeks after fumigation (or not less than six weeks when
			 converting to like species) and be inspected for compliance with Section
			 II, A. Land must receive adequate
			 moisture and soil temperature must be adequate to allow any live plants not
			 eradicated by fumigation to emerge.
II I.
Field Inspections
A. Handling the Crop after Planting and Prior
			 to Inspection:
A field must be rogued and/or sprayed with recommended
				herbicides during the growing season to remove (1) other varieties, (2) other
				perennial grasses, (3) most common weeds, (4) objectionable and noxious
				weeds.
Note: When spraying, the herbicide will be applied to the area
				containing the mixture plus an 18" border surrounding the outer limits of the
				visible area of mixture. Spraying will continue until the mixture is
				eradicated.
B. Time and
			 number of inspections:
1. Foundation,
			 Registered and Certified (three inspections required):
Spring (April or May)
Summer (June or July)
Fall (September or October)
2. Every two years an intensive field
			 inspection will be made of the Registered Class.
a. A representative area of the field (10%)
			 will not be harvested until seed heads appear.
C. Production fields that fail to meet the
			 published varietal purity standards for the class applied for within one
			 growing year will be permanently downgraded to the next lowest class if the
			 field meets the standard of the next lowest class, or removed from
			 certification. A field removed from certification may be re-entered into
			 certification if it meets the requirements in section II, Land Requirements
			 (Rules Covering land prior to planting).
IV.
Field Standards
A. General
1. Restrictions on number of varieties per
			 field:
Only one variety of a kind may be grown for certified turf on a
				field except with prior approval of the certifying agency.
2. Unit of Certification:
A field or portion of a field may be certified.
3. Isolation requirements:
Plantings of vegetatively propagated turf grasses must be
				isolated from any other variety and other perennial grasses and other
				certification classes by an artificial barrier and/or strip at least ten (10)
				feet wide to prevent mixing during the growing season and harvesting
				operation.
B.
			 Specific Requirements:
Factor
Maximum permitted in each class
Foundation***
Registered***
Certified***
* Other Varieties
None
None
1 plant/acre***
**Other Crops
None
None
1 plant/acre****
Noxious / Objectionable Weeds
None
None
None
Other Living Plants (Max per acre)
100
200
400
* Other Varieties shall consist of all other varieties of the
				kind being produced.
** Other Crops shall consist of all other kinds and varieties
				of perennial grasses.
*** Other live varieties, other live crops and live noxious
				weeds found in excess of standards during field inspection must be eradicated.
Reinspection required and to be made not less than three weeks after
				rejection, cost of reinspection to be paid by producer.
**** Those live plants found by an inspector must be eradicated
				by grower.
V.
Turf Standards
*Noxious Weeds.....................................None
**Objectionable Weeds.............................None
*See General Seed Certification Standards for list of Noxious
				Weeds
** Objectionable Weeds: Perennial sedges other than nutsedge
				(grass) and Dichondra spp.