DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

PESTICIDE AND PLANT PEST MANAGEMENT DIVISION

REGULATION NO. 623. FIELD SEED CERTIFICATION

(By authority conferred on the director of agriculture and rural development by section 2

of 1959 PA 221, MCL 286.72, and section 178 of the Executive organization act of 1965,

1965 PA 380)

PART 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

R 285.623.101 Designation of seed certifying agency.

Rule 101. The Michigan crop improvement association is designated an official seed-

certifying agency to assist and advise the director of the department of agriculture in

certifying the varietal purity, quality, vitality, and freedom from disease of seeds of field

crops and turfgrass in accordance with these rules and standards.

History: 1994 AACS.

R 285.623.102 Seed origin and list of varieties.

Rule 102. (1) Certified seed shall be the progeny of foundation seed as defined in the act.

(2) Only properly named and properly described varieties and hybrids shall be eligible for

certification.

History: 1994 AACS.

R 285.623.103 Production of certified seed; restrictions.

Rule 103. (1) If a kind of seed is submitted for certification for which standards have not

been established in these rules, association of official seed-certifying agencies standards

for that kind of seed will be used. These standards are contained in the AOSCA

Certification Handbook, Publication No. 23, June, 1971. The provisions of this publication

are adopted by reference in these rules. The publication may be obtained from the

Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies, P.O. Box 6311, Mississippi State,

Mississippi 39759, or from the Michigan Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 30017,

Lansing, Michigan 48909, at a cost as of the time of adoption of these rules of $30.00.

(2) The production of certified seed of more than 1 variety of a crop on the same farm

shall be based upon approval by the certifying agency.

(3) Certified seed shall not be produced on land that grew any of the following plants the

previous year:

Page 1

(a) An inseparable species that has the same growing season, except when summer

fallowing intervenes. When control measures can be applied to eliminate volunteers, this

waiting period may be reduced as determined by the seed-certifying agency.

(b) Plants of another variety of the same species.

(c) Plants of the same variety unless such plants came from certified seed.

History: 1994 AACS.

R 285.623.104 Field conditions.

Rule 104. (1) A field that contains more than an occasional weed which produces seed

that is not readily separable from the crop seed or that contains weed growth that will impair

seed quality or prevent adequate field inspection is ineligible for certification. Field borders

and weedy areas in the field may require mowing before harvest if, in the judgment of the

inspector, such action is necessary.

(2) Crops that are submitted for certification shall be rogued of weeds, other varieties, and

other crop plants by the grower before field inspection.

(3) Crops which show a lack of vigor, a lack of uniformity, or evidence of inadequate

cultural care or which are weedy or are subject to other conditions that are detrimental to

the production of high-quality seed are ineligible for certification.

History: 1994 AACS.

R 285.623.105 Inspections and final certification.

Rule 105. (1) A field inspection shall be performed by the certifying agency when all of

the following can best be determined:

(a) The identity of the variety.

(b) Mixtures.

(c) Weediness.

(d) Disease infection.

(e) Vigor.

(f) Crop quality.

(g) In the case of corn, factors that affect proper pollination. The inspector shall survey

the field sufficiently to evaluate accurately the factors that affect eligibility for certification.

(2) Seed that is submitted for certification shall be harvested and handled in a manner that

avoids mixtures and shall be stored and conditioned in a place and in a manner approved

by the certifying agency. Storage identification tags shall be affixed to each storage

container of seed that is eligible for certification. The tags shall contain all of the following

information:

(a) Grower's name.

(b) Variety.

(c) Class.

(d) Bin number.

(e) Field number.

(3) Final certification by the official certifying agency shall be based upon inspection of

a minimum representative sample of 5 pounds of cleaned seed. In the case of small-seeded

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legumes, a minimum representative sample of 1 pound of cleaned seed shall be submitted.

The submitted sample of cleaned seed shall be representative of the entire lot of seed to be

offered for sale.

(4) Analysis, examinations, and germination tests of seed shall be conducted in

accordance with the rules of the association of official seed analysts entitled "Rules for

Testing Seed", Volume 12, No. 3, 1988, revised in 1989, 1990, 1991, and 1992. The rules

are adopted by reference in these rules and are available from the Michigan Department of

Agriculture, Laboratory Division, 1615 South Harrison Road, East Lansing, Michigan

48823, or from the Association of Official Seed Analysts, Nebraska Crop Improvement

Association, 268 Plant Science, IANR-UNL, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0911, at a cost as

of the time of adoption of these rules of $30.00.

History: 1994 AACS.

R 285.623.106 Containers and tags.

Rule 106. (1) A bag of seed that is to be offered for sale or sold as certified, registered, or

foundation seed shall be identified as to variety. Seed that is offered for sale or sold as

certified, registered, or foundation seed shall be placed in new bags that have a 100-pound

capacity or less and shall have been inspected, and approved by the certifying agency. This

seed may also be placed in bulk bags that have a 50-bushel capacity or less and which may

be reused if they are constructed so as to be self-cleaning to prevent contamination by any

previous crop residues. Bags shall be sealed pursuant to instructions that are issued by the

certifying agency. Attached to each bag shall be an official tag that is issued by the official

certifying agency. Bags shall be tagged or labeled pursuant to the provisions of Act No.

329 of the Public Acts of 1965, as amended, being S286.701 et seq. of the Michigan

Compiled Laws, and these rules.

(2) Certified seed containers will be identified with a blue tag which indicates that the

certification standards established in these rules have been met.

(3) Certified seed of field beans, soybeans, and small grains may be identified by a yellow

tag, which indicates that all of the certification standards as established in these rules have

been met, except for the standards for germination. Field bean, soybean, and small grain

seed may be identified with a yellow tag if the minimum germination is not more than 10

percentage points below the minimum germinations standards for certified seed established

for these crop kinds. The yellow tag shall carry the following statement on the front panel

of the label: "Meets all Michigan certification standards for certified seed except

germination."

(4) All rules for the production, conditioning, and testing of certified seed shall apply to

bulk transactions, except that the seed does not have to be in bags. All of the following

additional requirements shall apply to the bulk sale of certified seed:

(a) All field and seed standards that apply to bagged seed shall also apply to bulk certified

seed.

(b) Certified seed may be sold in bulk only by an approved retail seed facility or by the

processor. Certification is not valid after more than 2 transfers of ownership.

(c) Bulk certified seed shall move to the consumer or approved bulk retailer by using

serially numbered bulk sales certificates. The seller shall provide copies of these

certificates to the buyer and the certifying agency.

Page 3

(d) The director shall have the authority to audit all records related to bulk seed at any

time and inspect the facilities of any processor or approved bulk retailer who sells certified

seed in bulk.

(e) It is the seller's responsibility to handle seed in a manner to prevent mixtures and

contamination, supply seed that has been tested and meets all certification requirements,

and determine that the container, bin, or vehicle receiving the bulk certified seed is clean.

If the container, bin, or vehicle is not clean, it shall be noted on the bill of sale. The seller

shall also obtain a representative sample of each load of bulk certified seed sold and keep

this sample at least 1 year after final disposition of the lot.

(f) It shall be the buyer's responsibility to maintain the purity of the seed after it has been

loaded into the buyer's container, bin, or vehicle.

(g) The bulk sales certificate issued by the certifying agency shall take the place of the

certified seed tag. The certificate shall contain labeling information pursuant to the

provisions of Act No. 329 of the Public Acts of 1965, as amended, being S286.701 et seq.

of the Michigan Compiled Laws, and these rules. The buyer shall receive a certificate for

each load of bulk certified seed.

(h) The processor shall be assessed certification fees for certified seed sold in bulk.

(i) Processor and bulk retail facilities shall be approved before certified seed is handled

in bulk. Before approval, all procedures for receiving, storing, dispensing, and

recordkeeping shall be reviewed by the certifying agency. An applicant shall demonstrate

acceptable procedures for maintaining the purity and identity of bulk certified seed.

Approval may be withheld if an applicant has not provided records or documentation as

required by these rules.

(j) For all bulk certified seed, a separate storage bin shall be available for each variety that

will be sold in bulk. All bins shall be inspected and approved before receiving any seed.

Bins, augers, conveyers, and other equipment shall be cleaned before the storage or

handling of certified seed. Bins shall be clearly and prominently labeled to indicate that

they have been approved and to show the kind and variety of seed. All bin openings shall

be closed to prevent contamination, except when seed is being put into or removed from

the bin.

(k) At the completion of each season (by December 15 for winter crops and by August 1

for all other kinds), the owner or manager of each approved facility shall file a report of all

movements of bulk certified seed. The report shall include the amount of seed grown or

conditioned or purchased for bulk sale and the source of bulk seed, including the name of

the processor, the variety, and the lot number. The report shall also include the amount of

bulk certified seed sold by variety, the lot number, and the current inventory of seed

remaining for each variety and lot.

History: 1994 AACS.

R 285.623.107 Grading and blending.

Rule 107. (1) Each variety shall be graded so as to conform to screen sizes as

recommended by the official certifying agency and approved by the director of the

department of agriculture.

(2) Two or more lots of certified seed of the same variety, strain, or hybrid may be blended

if previously approved by the official certifying agency. The quality represented for the

Page 4

blend shall be that of the least desirable lot in the blend, unless 2 unrelated composite

samples that are taken by the official certifying agency show the blend to be uniform.

History: 1994 AACS.

R 285.623.108 Seed from out of state.

Rule 108. Seed which is produced in another state or country and which is sold and

delivered in this state as certified, registered, or foundation shall have been certified by a

legally constituted agency of the state or country of origin in accordance with rules and

standards that are equivalent to those established in these rules. Seed of such origin that is

represented or labeled as registered shall have been produced and certified in accordance

with rules and standards that are equal to or better than the rules and standards that are

established for Michigan certified seed.

History: 1994 AACS.

R 285.623.109 Interagency certification.

Rule 109. If the Michigan crop improvement association participates with another

certifying agency in performing services that are required to certify the same lot or lots of

seed, the standards for such interagency certification shall be the standards provided in

these rules. Seed that is produced and field-inspected in Michigan may be shipped in bulk

for conditioning and final certification by the Michigan crop improvement association or

may be conditioned in Michigan to be shipped out of state for final certification by the

Michigan crop improvement association. This same certification procedure may be utilized

for seed that is shipped into Michigan from a cooperating state.

History: 1994 AACS.

R 285.623.110 Modification of standards.

Rule 110. The minimum quality standards for foundation and certified seed, other than

the standards that affect genetic purity as established in these rules, may be modified by

the director of the department of agriculture when application of a standard would threaten

the continued normal propagation of a crop variety.

History: 1994 AACS.

R 285.623.111 Definitions.

Rule 111. As used in these rules:

(a) "Act" means Act No. 221 of the Public Acts of 1959, as amended, being S286.71 et

seq. of the Michigan Compiled Laws.

(b) "Field crops" means any agricultural crop that is grown for food, feed, forage, fiber,

or oil.

Page 5

(c) "Off-type" means any seed or plant that is not a part of the variety because it deviates

from 1 or more of the characteristics of the variety as described and may include any of the

following:

(i) A seed or plant of another variety.

(ii) A seed or plant that is not necessarily any variety.

(iii) A seed or plant that results from cross-pollination by another kind or variety.

(iv) A seed or plant that results from uncontrolled self-pollination during production of

hybrid seed.

(v) Segregates from any seed or plant that are listed in paragraphs (i) to (iv) of this

subdivision.

(d) "Small grains" means any of the following kinds of agricultural seed:

(i) Wheat.

(ii) Oats.

(iii) Barley.

(iv) Rye.

(v) Spelt.

(vi) Triticale.

(e) "Turfgrass" means any agricultural grass that is used primarily for lawn or ornamental

purposes and includes any of the following:

(i) Perennial ryegrasses.

(ii) Fescues.

(iii) Kentucky bluegrasses.

(iv) Annual ryegrasses.

History: 1994 AACS.

R 285.623.199 Rescission.

Rule 199. R 285.623.1 to R 285.623.29 of the Michigan Administrative Code, appearing

on pages 1274, 1276, and 1280 to 1282 of the 1979 Michigan Administrative Code and

pages 217 to 223 of the 1985 Annual Supplement to the Code, are rescinded.

History: 1994 AACS.

PART 2. FIELD CROP STANDARDS

R 285.623.201 Applications for field crop inspection and certification.

Rule 201. An application for field crop inspection and certification shall be made to the

certifying agency on or before the dates specified by the certifying agency.

History: 1994 AACS.

R 285.623.202 Isolation.

Page 6

Rule 202. The seed of that portion of a crop which is to be field-inspected and which is

less than 6 feet from an inseparable species, a variety of the same species, or the same

variety grown from noncertified seed shall not be harvested for certification. An open-

pollinated crop shall be in compliance with the isolations prescribed in this part.

History: 1994 AACS.

R 285.623.203 Field beans; field and seed standards.

Rule 203. (1) Field standards for field bean seed are as follows:

Classes of Seed

Factor

Foundation

.01%

none

Certified

.01%

none

Other varieties or off-types (maximum)

Inseparable other crops

Bacterial bean blight--percent

of plants infected (maximum)

Anthracnose or common bean mosaic

0.001%

0.005%

(2) Seed standards for field bean seed are as follows:

Classes of Seed

Certified

99.0%

Factor

Pure seed (minimum)

Inert matter (maximum)

Weeds (maximum)

Foundation

99.0%

1.0%

none

1.0%

none

Other crops (maximum)

Other varieties or off-types (maximum)

Contrasting colored varieties/ off-types

(maximum)

Germination (minimum)

Badly damaged seed (maximum)2

1.0%

2 per 100 pounds 5 per 100 pounds

(20/cwt)1

(2/cwt)

85.0%

Common bean mosaic virus (maximum)

Anthracnose or bacterial blight infected

seed (maximum)

3.0%

none

5.0%

none

1 Represents .01% for navy beans

2 "Badly damaged" refers to beans that are seriously injured or badly discolored by frost,

weather, disease, insects, or other causes which seriously affect the seed lot.

History: 1994 AACS.

R 285.623.204 Soybeans; field and seed standards.

Rule 204. (1) Field standards for soybean seed are as follows:

Page 7

Maximum Each Class

Factor

Foundation

.05%

Certified

.1%

Other varieties or off-types

Inseparable seed plants:

Corn (with kernels) and others

none

(2) Seed standards for soybean seed are as follows:

Classes of Seed

Certified

98.5%

Factor

Foundation

98.5%

1.5%

none

Pure seed (minimum)

Inert matter (maximum)

Weeds (maximum)

1.5%

none

Other crops (maximum)

Other varieties or off-types (maximum)

Germination (minimum)

1 per 3 pounds

0.1%

1 per pound

0.5%

80.0%

History: 1994 AACS.

R 285.623.205 Small grains and buckwheat; field and seed standards.

Rule 205. (1) Field standards for small grain seed and buckwheat are as shown in table

205.1:

TABLE 205.1

Field Standards for Small Grain Seed and Buckwheat

Maximum Each Class

Factor

Foundation

.02%

Certified

.05%

Other varieties or off-types

Inseparable other crops

Bunt

1 per acre

none

5 per acre

none

Other smuts

.5%

2.0%

(a) Rye, spelt, vetch, and winter barley are not permitted in wheat.

(b) Seed from fields that have more than 0.5% other smuts must be treated with a

fungicide that is approved by the director.

(2) Rye must be 660 feet from fields that could be a source of contamination.

(3) Seed standards for small grain seed and buckwheat are as shown in table 205.2:

TABLE 205.2

Seed Standards for Small Grain Seed and Buckwheat

Factor

Foundation

99.0%

Class of Seed Certified

99.0%

Page 8

Pure seed (minimum)

Inert matter (maximum)

Weeds (maximum)

1.0%

2 per pound

1.0%

2 per pound

Corn cockle, chess, and noxious

weeds (maximum)

none

None

Other crops – no rye or vetch

allowed (maximum)

1 per 2 pounds

2 per pound

Winter crops in spring crops

Spring crops in winter crops

Other varieties or off-type same

crop (maximum)

Germination (minimum) wheat,

oats, barley, or triticale

Germination (minimum) rye, spelt,

or buckwheat

5 per 2 pounds

10 per pound

.02%

.05%

90.0%

80.0%

(a) Minimum pure seed percentage of rye or spelt is 98.0%; with inert matter at a

maximum of 2.0%

(b) This does not apply in such cases where climatic conditions do not take care of the

situation.

History: 1994 AACS; 2023 AACS.

R 285.623.206 Red clover and alfalfa; field and seed standards.

Rule 206. (1) Red clover or alfalfa seed shall be planted on land on which the same crop

has not been previously grown for a minimum of 5 years for producing foundation seed

and 2 years for producing certified seed. During the year immediately before seeding, the

land shall be in a cultivated crop or fallow and shall be free of volunteer red clover or

alfalfa plants as determined by field inspection. Manure or other contaminating

amendments shall not be applied during the established and productive life of this stand.

(2) Any portion of a field that is not to be inspected shall be mowed before flowering.

(3) Limitations on the age of stand and pedigree classes of seed through which a variety

may be multiplied shall be specified by the originator, but shall not exceed the limitations

that are established by the certifying agency.

(4) Field standards for red clover and alfalfa seed are as follows:

Classes of Seed

Factor

Foundation

Certified

Other varieties or off-types (maximum)none

0.2%

Other crops (maximum)

Isolation (from other red clover or

alfalfa fields respectively)

(minimum)

none

1 plant per acre

900 ft.

165 ft.

(5) Seed standards for red clover and alfalfa seed are as follows:

Page 9

Classes of Seed

Certified

99.0%

Factor

Foundation

99.0%

1.0%

0.15%

none

Pure seed (minimum)

Inert matter (maximum)

Weeds (maximum)

Prohibited noxious (maximum)

Docks, sheep sorrel, and restricted

noxious (maximum)

Other crops (maximum)

Sweet clover (maximum)

Other varieties or off-types

(maximum)

1.0%

0.2%

none

9 per pound

18 per pound

9 per pound

45 per pound

0.2%

45 per pound

0.1%

1.0%

Germination and hard seed (minimum)

85.0%

History: 1994 AACS.

R 285.623.207 Birdsfoot trefoil.

Rule 207. (1) Birdsfoot trefoil seed shall be planted on land on which the same crop has

not been previously grown for a minimum of 5 years for producing foundation seed and 2

years for producing certified seed. During the year immediately before seeding, the land

shall have been in a cultivated crop or fallow and shall be free of volunteer birdsfoot trefoil

plants as determined by field inspection. Manure or other contaminating amendments shall

not be applied during the established and productive life of the stand.

(2) Any portion of a field that is not to be inspected shall be mowed before flowering.

(3) Limitations on the age of stand and pedigree classes of seed through which a variety

may be multiplied shall be specified by the originator, but shall not exceed the limitations

that are established by the certifying agency.

(4) Field standards for birdsfoot trefoil seed are as follows:

Classes of Seed

Foundation

Certified

Less than5 acres Less than

5 acres or more 5 acres or more

5 acres

0.2%

Factor

Other varieties or off-types

(maximum)

0.1%

none

0.1%

0.2%

Sweet clover (maximum)

none

1 plant

per acre per

acre

Isolation from flowering

plants of other varieties

or uninspected plants

(minimum)

900 feet 600 feet 330 feet

165 feet

Isolation between different

seed classes of the same

Page 10

variety (minimum)

(5) Seed standards for birdsfoot trefoil seed are as follows:

Classes of Seed

225 feet 150 feet 85 feet

45 feet

Factor

Foundation

98.0%

2.0%

Certified

98.0%

2.0%

Pure seed (minimum)

Inert matter (maximum)

Weeds (maximum)

0.1%

0.2%

Prohibited noxious (maximum)

Docks, sheep sorrel, and restricted

noxious (maximum)

Other crops (maximum)

Other varieties or off-types

(maximum)

none

30 per pound

0.2%

45 per pound

1.0%

0.1%

1.0%

Sweet clover (maximum)

Germination (minimum)

15 per pound

45 per pound

80.0%

Germination less hard seed (minimum)

45.0%

History: 1994 AACS.

R 285.623.208 Crownvetch.

Rule 208. (1) Crownvetch seed shall be planted on land on which the same crop has not

been previously grown for a minimum of 5 years for producing foundation seed and 2 years

for producing certified seed. During the year immediately before seeding, the land shall

have been in a cultivated crop or fallow and shall be free of volunteer crownvetch plants

as determined by field inspection. Manure or other contaminating amendments shall not be

applied during the established and productive life of the stand.

(2) Any portion of a field that is not to be inspected shall be mowed before flowering.

(3) Limitations on the age of stand and pedigree classes of seed through which a variety

may be multiplied shall be specified by the originator, but shall not exceed the limitations

that are established by the certifying agency.

(4) Field standards for crownvetch seed are as follows:

Classes of Seed

Foundation

Certified

Less than5 acres Less than 5 acres

Factor

5 acres or more 5 acres or more

Other varieties or off-types

(maximum)

1 plant 1 plant 5 plants 5 plants

per acre per acre per acre per acre

none none 1 plant 1 plant

Sweet clover (maximum)

per acre per acre

Isolation from flowering

plants of other varieties

Page 11

or uninspected plants

(minimum)

Isolation between different

seed classes of the same

variety (minimum)

900 feet 600 feet 330 feet 165 feet

225 feet 150 feet 85 feet 45 feet

(5) Seed standards for crownvetch seed are as follows:

Classes of Seed

Certified

98.0%

Factor

Pure seed (minimum)

Foundation

98.0%

Inert matter (maximum)

Weeds (maximum)

2.0%

0.1%

2.0%

0.5%

Prohibited noxious (maximum)

Restricted noxious (maximum)

Other crops (maximum)

Sweet clover (maximum)

Other varieties or off-types (maximum)

Germination (minimum)

Germination less hard seed (minimum)

35.0%

none

27 per pound

0.2%

9 per pound

0.1%

none

45 per pound

1.0%

45 per pound

1.0%

65.0%

History: 1994 AACS.

R 285.623.209 Perennial cross-pollinated grasses (timothy, reed canarygrass, and

orchardgrass).

Rule 209. (1) Timothy, reed canarygrass, and orchardgrass seed for the production of

foundation seed shall be planted where the same species has not been seeded or grown for

at least 5 years.

(2) To be eligible for the production of timothy, reed canarygrass, and orchardgrass

certified seed, a field shall not have grown or been seeded to the same species during the

previous 2 calendar years unless either the crop was of the same variety and the same or a

higher seed class and passed field inspection for certification or had been summer fallowed

for 2 full seasons before seeding to another variety. Fall seeding is permitted in the second

year.

(3) The certifying agency will determine the length of time that fields will be eligible for

certification.

(4) Fields shall be rogued before harvest to remove off-type plants and other grasses or

weeds which have seed that cannot be removed by mechanical means.

(5) Field standards for timothy, reed canarygrass, and orchardgrass seed are as follows:

Classes of Seed

Factor

Other varieties 1

Isolation (feet)2

Foundation

none

1,320

Certified

1:50

1653

Page 12

1Maximum permitted ratio of plants.

2When different classes of seed of the same variety are being grown on the same or

adjacent farms, the isolation requirements may be reduced to 25.0% of these distances.

3(a) For fields that are certifiable except for isolation, the field boundary may be

established by placing permanent 5-foot posts, 90 feet from the offending field, on either

edge of the field. The crop between the newly established boundary lines and the offending

field may be removed after flowering as a separate field. The crop may be harvested as

uncertified seed.

(b) When 2 fields are separated by a natural or permanent barrier, such as a township,

county, state, or federal highway, drainage ditch, or tree or shrub row, the isolation may

consist of a 15-foot strip next to the barrier that can be either destroyed by mowing after

bloom, but before harvest, or harvested as uncertified seed. The barrier shall be free of

headed plants of the crop being inspected.

(6) Seed standards for timothy seed are as follows:

Classes of Seed

Factor

Pure seed (minimum)

Foundation

99.0%

0.2%

0.1%

Certified

99.0%

0.5%

Total weed seeds (maximum)

Other crop seeds (maximum)

Other varieties (maximum)

Other grasses (maximum)

Inert matter (maximum)

Prohibited weed seeds none none

0.1%

1.0%

0.2%

1.0%

Restricted weed seeds (maximum) 9 per pound

Germination (minimum)

9 per pound

80.0%

(7) Seed standards for reed canarygrass seed are as follows:

Classes of Seed

Factor

Foundation

96.0%

0.3%

0.1%

0.2%

Certified

96.0%

0.5%

2.0%

Pure seed (minimum)

Total weed seeds (maximum)

Other varieties (maximum)

Other crop seeds (maximum)

Inert matter (maximum)

Prohibited weed seeds

4.0%

none

4.0%

none

Restricted weed seeds (maximum) 9 per pound

Germination (minimum)

9 per pound

75.0%

(8) Seed standards for orchardgrass seed are as follows:

Classes of Seed

Factor

Foundation

90.0%

0.3%

Certified

90.0%

0.5%

Pure seed (minimum)

Total weed seed (maximum)

Page 13

Other varieties (maximum)

Other crop seeds (maximum)

Inert matter (maximum)

Prohibited weed seeds

0.1%

0.2%

10.0%

none

2.0%

1.0%

10.0%

none

Restricted weed seeds (maximum) 9 per pound

Germination (minimum)

9 per pound

85.0%

History: 1994 AACS.

R 285.623.210 Rape.

Rule 210. (1) Rape shall be planted on land on which the same crop has not been

previously grown for a minimum of 4 years for producing foundation seed and 3 years for

producing certified seed.

(2) Fields that produce foundation seed shall have a minimum isolation distance of 1,320

feet from fields of any other variety of the same kind with similar erucic acid levels or from

a noncertified field of the same variety.

(3) Fields that produce certified seed shall have a minimum isolation distance of 660 feet

from fields of any other variety of the same kind with similar erucic acid levels or from a

noncertified field of the same variety.

(4) Fields that produce foundation or certified low erucic acid types of rape seed shall

have a minimum isolation distance of 2 miles from high erucic acid types. Likewise, fields

that produce foundation or certified high erucic acid types of rape seed shall have a

minimum isolation distance of 2 miles from low erucic acid types. Low erucic acid types

of rape seed shall have an erucic acid level of 2.0% or less. The required isolation distance

between fields of different classes of the same variety shall be 10 feet.

(5) Field inspections shall be made when the crop is in the flower stage and at any other

time as deemed necessary by the seed-certifying agency.

(6) Field standards for rape seed are as follows:

Maximum Each Class

Factor

Foundation

0.05%

Certified

0.2%

Other varieties or off-types

Inseparable other crops,

Non-brassicaceae

Inseparable other,

Brassicaceae spp.

1 plant per acre

5 plants per acre

None

1 plant per acre

.005%

Blackleg, Leptosphaeria maculans .001%

(7) Seed standards for rape seed are as follows:

Classes of Seed

Factor

Foundation

99.0%

1.0%

Certified

99.0%

1.0%

Pure seed (minimum)

Inert matter (maximum)

Prohibited noxious weeds

Restricted noxious weeds and other,

none

Page 14

Brassicaceae spp. (maximum)

Other weeds (maximum)

Total other crop seed (maximum) 0.05%

1 per pound

5 per pound

15 per pound

0.25%

Other varieties and off-types

(maximum)

0.05%

0.25%

Germination (minimum)

85.0%

(8) All foundation and certified rape seed that is sold in Michigan is required to be tested

by a method which is approved by the director of the department of agriculture and which

is found to be free of virulent strains of blackleg, Leptosphaeria maculans. These test

results shall be stated on the seed label.

(9) The certifying agency shall have the authority to request laboratory results from the

producer for each lot of seed that is eligible for certification. These results shall be from an

approved laboratory and shall indicate the erucic acid and glucosinolate content of the seed.

(10) All foundation and certified rape seed that is sold in Michigan shall be treated with

an approved fungicide which is effective against seed-borne blackleg, Leptosphaeria

maculans.

History: 1994 AACS.

R 285.623.211 Lupine.

Rule 211. (1) A field shall not be eligible for certification if lupines were grown in the

same field the previous year, unless the previous crop was grown from certified or

foundation seed of the same variety.

(2) Field inspections shall be made when the field is in full bloom.

(3) Lupine fields that produce certified seed shall be isolated by a distance of not less than

660 feet from fields of any other variety of lupines or fields of the same variety that are not

in compliance with the varietal purity requirements for certification.

(4) Field standards for lupine seed are as follows:

Maximum Each Class

Factor

Foundation

0.02%

Certified

0.1%

Other varieties or off-types

(5) Seed standards for lupine seed are as follows:

Classes of Seed

Certified

Factor

Foundation

98.0%

Pure seed (minimum)

Other varieties or off-types

(maximum)

Other crop seeds (maximum)

Inert matter (maximum)

Weed seeds

98.0%

0.1%

none

2.0%

none

0.5%

1 per pound

2.0%

none

Germination (minimum)

85.0%

History: 1994 AACS.

Page 15

R 285.623.212 Adzuki beans.

Rule 212. (1) One field inspection will be made before harvest on all fields of adzuki

beans that are eligible for certification.

(2) Stage of inspection - the field inspection shall be made at the time of leaf drop, just

before harvest.

(3) Field standards for adzuki bean seed are as follows:

Maximum Each Class

Factor

Other variety or off-types (maximum) .05%

Other inseparable crops none

Foundation

Certified

.5%

none

(4) Seed standards for adzuki bean seed are as follows:

Classes of Seed

Certified

99.0%

Factor

Foundation

99.0%

1.0%

none

1 per 3 pounds

Pure seed (minimum)

Inert matter (maximum)

Weeds (maximum)

Other crops (maximum)

1.0%

none

1 per pound

Other varieties or off-types (maximum) .05%

Germination (minimum)

.5%

90.0%

History: 1994 AACS.

R 285.623.213 Perennial pea.

Rule 213. (1) Perennial pea seed shall be planted on land on which the same crop has not

been previously grown for a minimum of 5 years for producing foundation seed and 2 years

for producing certified seed. During the year immediately before seeding, the land shall

have been in a cultivated crop or fallow and shall be free of volunteer perennial pea plants

as determined by field inspection. Manure or other contaminating amendments shall not be

applied during the established and productive life of the stand.

(2) Any portion of a field that is not to be inspected shall be mowed before flowering.

(3) Limitations on the age of stand and pedigree classes of seed through which a variety

may be multiplied shall be specified by the originator, but shall not exceed the limitations

that are established by the certifying agency.

(4) Field standards for perennial pea seed are as follows:

Classes of Seed

Foundation

Certified

5 acres

Less than

5 acres

Less than

Factor

5 acres or more 5 acres or more

Page 16

Other varieties or

off-types (maximum)

Vetch, Vicia spp.

1 plant 1 plant 5 plants 5 plants

per acre per acre per acre per acre

None

none

1 plant

1

plant

(maximum)

acre

per acre per

Isolation from flowering

plants of other varieties

or uninspected plants

(minimum)

Isolation between different

seed classes of the same variety

(minimum)

900 feet 600 feet 330 feet 165 feet

225 feet 150 feet 85 feet 45 feet

(5) Seed standards for perennial pea seed are as follows:

Classes of Seed

Certified

97.0%

Factor

Foundation

97.0%

3.0%

0.1%

none

27 per pound

0.1%

10 per pound

Pure seed (minimum)

Inert matter (maximum)

Weeds (maximum)

Prohibited noxious

Restricted noxious

Other crops (maximum)

Vetch, Vicia spp. (maximum)

3.0%

0.5%

none

45 per pound

0.1%

45 per pound

0.1%

60.0%

Other varieties or off-types (maximum) 0.1%

Germination (minimum)

Germination less hard seed (minimum)

30.0%

History: 1994 AACS.

R 285.623.214 Foundation corn; inbred lines.

Rule 214. (1) An inbred line is a relatively true breeding strain of corn that results from

not less than 5 successive generations of controlled self-fertilization with selection.

(2) Inbred increase fields must be isolated by a distance of not less than 660 feet from

other corn or like color or texture and by a distance of not less than 1,320 feet from corn

of a different color or texture.

However, the isolation distances must not apply when increase is by hand-pollination.

(3) Inbred lines are eligible for certification when used in the production of certified

hybrids.

(4) Fields must be inspected by the certifying agency not less than 4 times during the

pollinating period. Roguing for off-type plants must be performed before any pollen

discharge. An inbred that has more than 0.1% definitely off-type plants or more than 1.0%

of doubtful-type plants must not be certified.

Page 17

(5) A seed lot of an inbred line must not have more than 0.1% definitely off-type ears or

more than 0.2% ears with of-color kernels as determined by an ear inspection or winter

grow out test.

History: 1994 AACS; 2023 AACS.

R 285.623.215 Foundation corn; single cross hybrids.

Rule 215. (1) A single cross hybrid must consist of the first generation of a cross between

2 certified inbred lines.

(2) A single cross crossing field must be isolated by a distance of not less than 660 feet

from other corn of like color or texture and 1,320 feet from corn of a different color of

texture.

(3) All of the following field inspection standards must be complied with:

(a) Fields must be inspected by the certifying agency not less than 4 times during the

pollinating period.

(b) Seed parent plants that are capable of producing viable pollen must be detasseled.

(c) When 5.0% or more of the seed parent plants in a crossing field have apparently

receptive silks, the field is ineligible for certification if shedders comprise more than 0.5%

of the seed parent plants on any 1 inspection or exceed an accumulative total of more than

1.0% for any 3 consecutive inspections.

(d) A shedder is a seed parent plant that has more than 1 lineal inch of tassel area with

anthers shedding pollen.

(e) One or more seed parent lines growing in the same isolation and having more than

5.0% apparently receptive silks are ineligible for certification if 1 or more of the seed parent

lines have more than 0.5% shedders, unless the plants in the area that have excess receptive

silks are destroyed.

(f) Roguing for off-type plants must be performed before the time of pollen discharge.

(g) A crossing field in which more than 0.1% definitely off-type plants or more than 1.0%

doubtful-type plants in the pollen parent have shed pollen must not be certified.

(h) At the time of the last inspection, the seed parent in a crossing field must not contain

more than 0.1% definitely off-type plants or 1.0% of doubtful-type plants.

(4) A seed lot of a single cross hybrid must not have more than 0.1% definitely off-type

ears or more than 0.2% ears with off-color kernels as determined by an ear inspection or

winter grow out test.

History: 1994 AACS; 2023 AACS.

R 285.623.216 Certified single cross, double cross, and 3-way hybrids.

Rule 216. (1) A double cross hybrid is the first generation of a cross between 2 single

cross hybrids. A 3-way cross hybrid is the first generation of a cross between a single cross

hybrid and an inbred line.

(2) A certified double cross of 3-way corn hybrid shall be produced from foundation seed

(single cross or inbreds or both) that has been produced under the inspection of the official

seed-certifying agency or a seed-producing agency which is recommended by the Michigan

Page 18

state university agricultural experiment station and the official certifying agency and which

is approved by the director of the department of agriculture.

(3) All of the following isolation standards shall be complied with:

(a) A crossing field shall be so located that the seed parent is not less than 660 feet from

corn of a different color or texture. When the contaminating source is the same color or

texture of corn, the distance can be modified by the size of the crossing field and by planting

border rows of pollen parent in accordance with the following table:

Field Size in Acres

Minimum

9 or

40 or

Border

Rows

less

10-19

20-29

30-39 more

Distance

660

577

495

412

330

247

165

627

544

462

379

297

214

148

594

511

429

346

264

181

115

561

478

396

313

231

165

66

545

462

330

290

214

165

66

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

(in feet)

of seed

rows

from

other

corn

(b) Border rows to offset a lack of isolation distance shall be planted adjacent to the

exposed side or sides of the crossing field and shall produce an abundance of viable pollen

at the time the seed parent silks are receptive.

(c) Insufficient isolation distance can be offset by destroying a portion of the seed parent

in a manner and at a time specified by the official certifying agency.

(d) Two or more hybrids may be produced in the same field if the same pollen parent is

used.

(4) All of the following field inspection standards shall be complied

with:

(a) The standards in this rule apply only when 5.0% or more of the seed parent plants have

apparently receptive silks.

(b) Crossing fields shall be inspected by the official certifying agency not less than 3 times

during the pollinating period.

(c) A crossing field is ineligible if shedders, as defined in R 285.623.215(3)(d), are more

than 1.0% of the seed parent plants at any 1 inspection or if an accumulative total of more

than 2.0% shedders is found on any 3 consecutive inspections.

(d) Off-type plants shall be removed before pollen discharge.

(e) Corn that is harvested from crossing fields which are found to be ineligible for

certification shall not be sold for seed purposes.

(5) Both of the following seed inspection standards shall be complied with:

(a) Samples for moisture and germination determination shall be furnished to the official

certifying agency after the seed has been dried and shelled by the producer.

(b) Seed shall have a minimum germination of 90.0% and a minimum purity of 99.0%.

Page 19

History: 1994 AACS.

PART 3. TURFGRASS SEED STANDARDS

R 285.623.301 Application for inspection and certification.

Rule 301. (1) An application for inspection and certification of turfgrass seed shall be

made to the seed-certifying agency by May 1 of each year in which seed is produced.

(2) If a field, other than an annual ryegrass field, is not inspected by the seed-certifying

agency for 2 consecutive years, it is ineligible for production of foundation or certified

seed.

History: 1994 AACS.

R 285.623.302 Isolation.

Rule 302. (1) A field that is used for the production of certified seed shall be in compliance

with the minimum specified isolation distances from fields of any other variety of the same

species or closely related species, unless the field is used to produce seed of the same

variety and generation and is certified. A field that produces seed of the same variety, but

of a different generation, shall be isolated by a distance of 25.0% of the specified distance

between varieties. This standard is to apply to all turfgrass crops unless otherwise noted in

the specific crop standards. An adequate distance between seed crops shall be maintained

to prevent mechanical mixture.

(2) If a bluegrass variety is less than 80.0% apomictic, then a 900-foot isolation distance

from other varieties is required if a field is used to produce foundation seed and a 165-foot

isolation distance is required if a field is used to produce seed of a certified class.

(3) An isolation strip may be used for any of the following purposes:

(a) To produce a crop of another species.

(b) To grow the same species, but the strip shall be cut to prevent seed production.

(c) To grow the same species, but seed from the isolation strip shall be harvested

separately and conditioned as uncertified. Reinspections in the field and warehouse will be

made to insure that this identity is maintained.

(4) For a certified class of grass seed only, varieties that are 95.0% or more apomictic, as

defined by the originating breeder, shall have the isolation distance reduced to a mechanical

separation only.

History: 1994 AACS.

R 285.623.303 Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne and Lolium hybridum).

Rule 303. (1) Land shall not have grown, or have been seeded to, any other variety of

perennial ryegrass during the previous 5 years to be eligible to produce foundation seed.

Land shall not have grown, or have been seeded to, any other variety of perennial ryegrass

Page 20

during the previous 2 years to produce certified seed unless the seed is of the same variety

and class and is certified.

(2) Perennial ryegrass shall be planted in distinct rows.

(3) Limitations on the age of stand and pedigree classes of seed through which a variety

may be multiplied shall be specified by the originator, but shall not exceed the limitations

that are established by the certifying agency.

(4) Field standards for perennial ryegrass seed are as follows:

Classes of Seed

Factor

Foundation

none

Certified

1.0%

Other varieties (maximum)

Isolation1, 2, 3

Less than 5 acres (minimum)

More than 5 acres (minimum)

2,640 feet

900 feet 165 feet

330 feet

1 This distance shall be maintained from all varieties of ryegrass. Diploid ryegrass

varieties need not be isolated from tetraploid ryegrass varieties, except for a distance of 15

feet to prevent mechanical mixture.

2 Fields that are used to produce foundation perennial ryegrass seed shall be isolated a

minimum distance of 330 feet from tall fescue.

3 See R 285.623.302 - Isolation.

(5) Seed standards for perennial ryegrass seed are as follows:

Classes of Seed

Factor

Foundation

97.0%

0.1%

Certified

97.0%

3.0%

Total ryegrass (minimum)

Other ryegrass (maximum)

Crop other than ryegrass (maximum) 0.1%

Total other crop including other

0.5%

ryegrass (maximum)

Inert matter (maximum)

Weed seed (maximum)

Prohibited noxious weeds (maximum) none

Restricted noxious weeds and

0.2%

3.0%

0.15%

3.5%

3.0%

0.5%

none

St. Johnswart, docks, sheep

sorrel, bedstraw (maximum)

Germination (minimum)

27 per pound

85.0%

45 per pound

History: 1994 AACS.

R 285.623.304 Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum and Lolium rigidum).

Rule 304. (1) Land shall not have grown, or have been seeded to annualryegrass during

the previous 5 years, unless the land was used to produceannual ryegrass seed that is of the

same variety and class and iscertified. Land shall not have grown, or have been seeded to

perennial ryegrass during the previous 5 years to produce foundation seed, and the previous

2 years to produce certified seed.

Page 21

(2) Annual ryegrass shall be planted in distinct rows.

(3) Field standards for annual ryegrass seed are as follows:

Classes of Seed

Factor

Foundation

none

Certified

1.0%

Other varieties (maximum)

Isolation 1, 2,

Less than 5 acres (minimum)

More than 5 acres (minimum)

2,640 feet

900 feet

330 feet

165 feet

1 This distance shall be maintained from all varieties of ryegrass,either annual or

perennial. Diploid ryegrass varieties need not beisolated from tetraploid ryegrass

varieties, except for a distance of 15 feet to prevent mechanical mixture.

2 See R 285.623.302 - Isolation.

(4) Seed standards for annual ryegrass seed are as follows:

Classes of Seed

Factor

Foundation

97.0%

0.1%

Certified

97.0%

3.0%

Total ryegrass (minimum)

Other ryegrass (maximum)

Crop other than ryegrass (maximum) 0.1%

Total other crop including other

0.5%

ryegrass (maximum)

Inert matter (maximum)

Weed seed (maximum)

Prohibited noxious weeds (maximum) none

Restricted noxious weeds and St.

Johnswart, docks, sheep sorrel,

0.2%

3.0%

0.15%

2.5%

3.0%

0.3%

none

bedstraw (maximum)

Germination (minimum)

27 per pound

45 per pound

90.0%

History: 1994 AACS.

R 285.623.305 Bluegrass (Poa spp.).

Rule 305. (1) The standards of this rule for bluegrass include Kentucky, rough, and big

bluegrasses.

(2) To be eligible to produce bluegrass certified seed, land shall not have grown, or have

been seeded to, bluegrass during the previous 3 years, unless the previous crop was of the

same variety and class and was certified. To produce foundation seed, land shall have been

free of bluegrass for 5 years.

(3) Bluegrass shall be planted in distinct rows.

(4) Limitations on the age of stand and pedigree classes of seed through which a variety

may be multiplied shall be specified by the originator, but shall not exceed the limitations

that are established by the certifying agency.

(5) Field standards for bluegrass seed are as follows:

Page 22

Classes of Seed

Certified

2.0%

Factor

Foundation

none

165 feet

Other varieties (maximum)1

Isolation2, 3 (minimum)

165 feet

1 Includes off-type plants as may be designated by the varietal description.

2 See R 285.623.302 - Isolation.

3 Mechanical isolation is required between rough bluegrass and Kentucky bluegrass.

(6) Seed standards for bluegrass seed are as follows:

Other America

Varieties

Merion

Factor

Foundation

95.0%

0.1%

5.0%

0.1%

Certified Certified

95.0%

0.25%1

5.0%

Pure seed (minimum)

Other crop (maximum)

Inert matter (maximum)

Weed seed2 (maximum)

92.0%

0.25%1

8.0%

0.3%

Prohibited noxious weeds (maximum) none

Restricted noxious weeds and St.

Johnswart, docks, sheep sorrel,

none

bedstraw (maximum)

Germination (minimum)

27 per pound

--

45 per pound

75.0%

45 per pound

75.0%

1 Common Kentucky bluegrass is limited to 3.0% in merion, sabre, and colt rough

bluegrass and 2.0% in all other varieties.

2 Annual bluegrass is not allowed in foundation seed.

History: 1994 AACS.

R 285.623.306 Fine fescue (Festuca rubra, Sub var rubra, Fallax, Ovina var

duruiscula).

Rule 306. (1) The standards of this rule for fine fescue include chewings, red, and hard

fescues.

(2) To be eligible to produce fine fescue foundation seed, land shall not have grown, or

have been seeded to, this species during the previous 5 years. Land shall not have grown,

or have been seeded to, fine fescue grasses during the previous 18 months to produce

certified seed, unless the previous crop was of the same variety and class and was certified.

(3) Fine fescue shall be planted in distinct rows.

(4) Limitations on the age of stand and pedigree classes of seed through which a variety

may be multiplied shall be specified by the originator, but shall not exceed the limitations

that are established by the certifying agency.

(5) Field standards for fine fescue seed are as follows:

Classes of Seed

Page 23

Factor

Foundation

none

Certified

1.0%

Other varieties (maximum)1

Isolation2, 3

Less than 5 acres (minimum)

More than 5 acres (minimum)

1,320 feet

900 feet

330 feet

165 feet

1 Includes off-type plants.

2 Hard fescue need not be isolated from red or chewings fescue.

3 See R 285.623.302 - Isolation.

(6) Seed standards for fine fescue seed are as follows:

Classes of Seed

Certified

97.0%

Factor

Foundation

98.0%

0.1%

2.0%

0.1%

Pure seed (minimum)

Other crop (maximum)

Inert matter (maximum)

Weed seed (maximum)

0.25%

3.0%

0.3%

Prohibited noxious weeds (maximum) none

Restricted noxious weeds and St.

Johnswart, docks, sheep sorrel,

none

bedstraw (maximum)

Germination (minimum)

27 per pound

45 per pound

85.0%

History: 1994 AACS.

R 285.623.307 Tall fescues (Festuca arundinacea).

Rule 307. (1) Land shall not have grown, or have been seeded to, tall fescue during the

previous 5 years to be eligible to produce foundation seed. Land shall not have grown, or

been seeded to, tall fescue grasses during the previous 2 years to produce certified seed,

unless the previous crop was of the same variety and class and was certified.

(2) Tall fescue shall be planted in distinct rows.

(3) Limitations on the age of stand and pedigree classes of seed through which a variety

may be multiplied shall be specified by the originator, but shall not exceed the limitations

that are established by the certifying agency.

(4) Field standards for tall fescue seed are as follows:

Classes of Seed

Factor

Foundation

none

Certified

1.0%

Other varieties (maximum)1

Isolation2, 3

Less than 5 acres (minimum)

More than 5 acres (minimum)

1,320 feet

900 feet

330 feet

165 feet

1 Includes off-type plants.

2 See R 285.623.302 - Isolation.

Page 24

3 Fields that are used for the production of foundation tall fescue seed shall be isolated a

minimum distance of 330 feet from perennial ryegrass.

(5) Seed standards for tall fescue seed are as follows:

Classes of Seed

Factor

Foundation

98.0%

0.1%

2.0%

0.3%

Certified

98.0%

0.5%

2.0%

0.3%

Pure seed (minimum)

Other crops (maximum)

Inert matter (maximum)

Weed seed (maximum)

Prohibited noxious weeds (maximum) none

Restricted noxious weeds and St.

Johnswart, docks, sheep sorrel,

none

bedstraw (maximum)

Germination (minimum)

27 per pound

45 per pound

90.0%

History: 1994 AACS.

PART 4. SOD QUALITY SEED STANDARDS

R 285.623.401 Labeling of sod quality for varieties of turfgrass seed.

Rule 401. In addition to the labeling requirements of Act No. 329 of the Public Acts of

1965, as amended, being S286.701 et seq. of the Michigan Compiled Laws and Act No.

221 of the Public Acts of 1959, as amended, being S286.71 et seq. of the Michigan

Compiled Laws, and the rules promulgated thereunder, if seed is found to meet the sod

quality standards established in R 285.623.404, the seed kinds or kinds and varieties may

be labeled with the words "Michigan sod quality seed" by permanently attaching a tag to

the container, as prescribed in R 285.623.402.

History: 1994 AACS.

R 285.623.402 Description and use of tags for sod quality seed.

Rule 402. (1) The official Michigan sod quality seed tag that is referred to in R

285.623.401 shall be prepared and issued by the director, be numerically identified, and set

forth the kind and variety, lot number, test date, and date of issuance. Duplicate sod quality

tags shall be attached to each container of the lot of seed that qualifies as sod quality. A

person shall not attach a sod quality seed tag to any container or lot of seed that is not

qualified as set forth on the tag and shall not remove a sod quality seed tag before delivery

of the seed to the ultimate purchaser.

(2) An official tag shall be of a size, color, and format as determined by the director of

the department of agriculture.

History: 1994 AACS.

Page 25

R 285.623.403 Application, fees, and procedure for sod quality qualifications.

Rule 403. A person who desires to have his or her seed qualify as Michigan sod quality

seed shall request, in writing, that the official seed-certifying agency obtain seed samples

for this purpose. If the sampling and analysis is apart from, and in addition to, the sampling

and analysis that is performed by the official seed-certifying agency in its other certification

activities, the person who requests the sampling and analysis shall pay, to the certifying

agency, any fees as authorized by section 3 of Act No. 221 of the Public Acts of 1959, as

amended, being S286.71 et seq. of the Michigan Compiled Laws. The analysis of seed

samples shall be performed by authorized personnel of the official seed-certifying agency

in accordance with the standards prescribed in R 285.623.404. If the sample that is subject

to analysis for Michigan sod quality seed qualification is from a regularly certified seed

lot, only part of which is to be qualified as Michigan sod quality seed, then a separate

sample shall be required from that part of the lot to be so qualified.

History: 1994 AACS.

R 285.623.404 Standards for sod quality certification.

Rule 404. (1) The seed lots that are submitted for sod quality certification shall be in

compliance with all of the standards established by these rules and with standards that are

established in cooperation with the seed-certifying agency.

(2) Noxious weed and crop and weed analyses shall be based on a 25-gram sample for

bluegrass, except that a 10-gram sample is required for a Poa annua search, a 30-gram

sample for fine fescue, and a 50-gram sample for ryegrass and tall fescue. Testing shall be

discontinued when results of the tests exceed the maximum limits set forth in subrule (3)

of this rule.

(3) Seed standards for Michigan sod quality seed for Kentucky bluegrass, red fescue,

chewings fescue, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue are as follows:

Minimum

Kind

Minimum

Purity

Maximum1

Germination

Maximum4

Other crop

Weed

Perennial ryegrass

.02%

Merion Kentucky

.02%

98%

95%

90%

80%

0.1%2

0.1%3

bluegrass

Other varieties of

.02%

97%

80%

0.1%3

Kentucky bluegrass

Red fescue

.02%

Chewings fescue

.02%

98%

90%

0.1%

98%

Tall fescue

.02%

98.5%

Page 26

1 Shall be free of ryegrass, orchardgrass, timothy, bentgrass, big bluegrass, poa trivialis,

smooth bromegrass, reed canary grass, tall fescue, and clover. When the base sample is

one of these kinds, the species will not be considered a contaminant; for example, ryegrass

in ryegrass.

2 Certification fluorescence levels and appropriate calculations will be applied when

determining levels of other crops.

3 The maximum other varieties of Kentucky bluegrass allowed is 2.0%; The maximum

allowed Canada bluegrass is .02%.

4 Shall be free of all of the following:

(a) Dock, Rumex spp.

(b) Chickweed, Cerastium spp. and Stellaria media.

(c) Crabgrass, Digitaria spp.

(d) Plantain, Plantago spp.

(e) Black medic, Medicago lupulina.

(f) Annual bluegrass, Poa annua.

(g) Velvetgrass, Holcus spp.

(h) Prohibited noxious weed seeds.

History: 1994 AACS.

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