Code of Maryland Regulations › Title 15 - MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Subtitle 08 - TURF AND SEED › Chapter 15.08.03 - Seed Certification › Section 15.08.03.18 - Certification Requirements for Specific Crops

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 14, July 12, 2024
A. Soybean Seed Certification. In addition to
				the other requirements of this chapter, the following requirements apply to the
				certification of soybean seed:
(1) Varieties
				Per Grower. Not more than two varieties may be produced by each grower, unless
				permission is granted by the certifying agency. The two varieties grown shall
				differ in maturity class, pubescence color, or hilum color.
(2) Land Requirements. Soybeans shall be
				grown on land where the previous crop was not soybeans unless the previous crop
				was:
(a) Planted with a class of Certified
				seed of the same variety; or
(b)
				Soybeans of a contrasting pubescence and hilum color.
(3) Isolation.
(a) If a field of soybeans is to be
				certified, it shall be separated on all sides by at least 5 feet from any other
				soybean variety.
(b) When it is
				necessary to remove a strip of the crop to obtain plant isolation, the part
				removed shall be cut from the field that is to be inspected by the agency for
				certification.
(4) Field
				Inspection.
(a) A field inspection will be
				made by the certifying agency when plant leaves have dropped and the crop is
				approaching maturity. Also, a field inspection may be made at blossom
				time.
(b) A field harvested before
				inspection is not eligible for certification.
(c) The agency may reject a field containing
				a crop that is lodged or if the field has excessive weeds so that it is
				difficult for the inspection to determine the genetic purity of the
				crop.
(5) Field
				Inspection Standards for Soybeans.
Class of Seed
Factor
Foundation
Registered
Certified
Other varieties1
0
1:10,000 (0.01%)
1:5000 (0.02%)
Corn
0
0
0
Prohibited noxious weeds
0
0
0
Objectionable weeds2
*
*
*
Diseased seed
3%
3%
3%
-
1 Refer to Regulation
				  .02B(12).
2 Morning glory (Ipomoea spp.),
				  cocklebur (Xanthium spp.), Jimson weed (Datura stramonium), velvet leaf
				  (Abutilon theophraste), black nightshade (Solanum nigrum), spurred anoda (Anoda
				  cristata).
* The certifying agency may reject a field where excessive
				  objectionable weeds are present.
(6) Seed Standards.
Class of Seed
Factor
Foundation
Registered
Certified
Pure seed (minimum)
98%
98%
98%
Inert matter (maximum)
2%
2%
2%
Other varieties 
						  1
0.05%
0.1% (2 seed/lb)
0.25% (6 seed/lb)
Other crop seed
0
0.01%
0.01%
Corn
0
0
0
Noxious weeds
0
0
0
Objectionable weeds 
						  2
0
0
0
Weed seed (maximum)
0.01%
0.01%
0.01%
Diseased seed (maximum)
3%
3%
3%
Germination (minimum)
80%
80%
80%
-
1 Refer to Regulation .02B(12) of
				  this chapter.
2 Morning glory (Ipomoea spp.),
				  Jimson weed (Datura stramonium), black nightshade (Solanum
				  nigrum).
(7) Maximum Lot
				Size. The size of each lot of certified soybean seed is limited to 2,000
				bushels or that quantity of seed, produced by an individual grower, that has
				been conditioned at the time an official sample is collected. A sample may be
				collected for each 2,000 bushels in the lot. If the seed is treated, the entire
				lot shall be treated with the same treatment or combination of
				treatments.
(8) Before issuing new
				certification tags for seed carried over from the previous planting season, the
				Department shall perform an accelerated aging test and a warm germination test
				for each official sample. These tests shall be conducted after February 1. For
				each sample, the minimum germination shall be 80 percent and a minimum 75
				percent germination following accelerated aging.