DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

               PESTICIDE AND PLANT PESTICIDE MANAGEMENT DIVISION

                 REGULATION NO. 623. FIELD SEED CERTIFICATION


(By authority conferred on the director of the department  of  agriculture
by section 2 of Act No. 221 of the Public Acts of 1959,  as  amended,  and
section 178 of Act No. 380 of the Public Acts of 1965, as  amended,  being
SS286.72 and 16.278 of the Michigan Compiled Laws)


                        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:
  (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 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.
  (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 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.
  (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.
  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 		Certified
  Other varieties or off-types (maximum) 	.01% 			.01%
  Inseparable other crops 			none 			none
  Bacterial bean blight--percent
    of plants infected (maximum) 		0.001% 			0.005%
  Anthracnose or common bean mosaic 		0.001% 			0.005%
 
 (2) Seed standards for field bean seed are as follows:

							  Classes of Seed
  Factor 					Foundation 		Certified
  Pure seed (minimum) 				99.0% 			99.0%
  Inert matter (maximum) 			1.0% 			1.0%
  Weeds (maximum) 				none 			none
  Other crops (maximum) 			2 per 100 pounds 	5 per 100 pounds
  Other varieties or off-types (maximum) 	(20/cwt)1 		(20/cwt)1
  Contrasting colored varieties/ off-types 
    (maximum) 					(2/cwt) 		(2/cwt)
  Germination (minimum) 						85.0%
  Badly damaged seed (maximum)2						1.0%
  Common bean mosaic virus (maximum) 		3.0% 			5.0%
  Anthracnose or bacterial blight infected 
    seed (maximum) 				none 			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:

 							 Maximum Each Class
  Factor 					Foundation 		Certified
  Other varieties or off-types 			.05% 			.1%
  Inseparable seed plants:
    Corn (with kernels) and others 		none 			none
 
 (2) Seed standards for soybean seed are as follows:

 							 Classes of Seed
  Factor 					Foundation 		Certified
  Pure seed (minimum) 				98.5% 			98.5%
  Inert matter (maximum) 			1.5% 			1.5%
  Weeds (maximum) 				none 			none
  Other crops (maximum) 			1 per 3 pounds 		1 per pound
  Other varieties or off-types (maximum) 	0.1% 			0.5%
  Germination (minimum) 						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
follows:
						  Maximum Each Class
  Factor 				Foundation 		Certified
  Other varieties or off-types 		.02% 			.05%
  Inseparable other crops1 		1 per acre 		5 per acre
  Bunt 					none 			none
  Other smuts2 				.5% 			2.0%

  1 Rye, spelt, vetch, and winter barley are not permitted in wheat.
  2 Seed from fields that have more than 0.5% other smuts shall be  treated
with a fungicide that is approved by the director.

  (2) Rye shall be 650  feet  from  fields  that  could  be  a  source  of
contamination.
  (3) Seed standards for small grain seed and buckwheat are as follows:

						  Classes of Seed
  Factor 				Foundation 		Certified
  Pure seed (minimum)1 			99.0% 			99.0%
  Inert matter (maximum)1 		1.0% 			1.0%
  Weeds (maximum) 			2 per pound 		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
  Other varieties or off-types same 
    crop (maximum) 			.02% 			.05%
  Germination (minimum) wheat, oats, 
    barley, or triticale 					90.0%
  Germination (minimum) rye, spelt, 
    or buckwheat 						80.0%

  1 Minimum pure seed percentage of rye  or  spelt  is  98.0%;  with  inert
matter at a maximum of 2.0%.

  History:  1994 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) 		none 			1 plant per acre
  Isolation (from other red clover or 
    alfalfa fields respectively) 
    (minimum) 				900 ft. 		165 ft.

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

 						 Classes of Seed
  Factor				Foundation 		Certified
  Pure seed (minimum) 			99.0% 			99.0%
  Inert matter (maximum) 		1.0% 			1.0%
  Weeds (maximum) 			0.15% 			0.2%
  Prohibited noxious (maximum) 		none 			none
  Docks, sheep sorrel, and restricted 
    noxious (maximum) 			9 per pound 		45 per pound
  Other crops (maximum) 		18 per pound 		0.2%
  Sweet clover (maximum) 		9 per pound 		45 per pound
  Other varieties or off-types 
    (maximum) 				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 than	5 acres 	Less than 	5 acres
  Factor 			5 acres 	or more 	5 acres 	or more
  Other varieties or off-types 
    (maximum) 			0.1% 		0.1% 		0.2% 		0.2%
  Sweet clover (maximum) 	none 		none 		1 plant 	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
  variety (minimum) 		225 feet 	150 feet 	85 feet 	45 feet

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

						  Classes of Seed
  Factor 				Foundation 		Certified
  Pure seed (minimum) 			98.0% 			98.0%
  Inert matter (maximum) 		2.0% 			2.0%
  Weeds (maximum) 			0.1% 			0.2%
  Prohibited noxious (maximum) 		none 			none
  Docks, sheep sorrel, and restricted 
    noxious (maximum) 			30  per  pound  	45 per pound
  Other crops (maximum) 		0.2% 			1.0%
  Other varieties or off-types 
    (maximum) 				0.1% 			1.0%
  Sweet clover (maximum) 		15 per pound 		45 per pound
  Germination (minimum) 					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 than	5 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
  Sweet clover (maximum)	none 		none 		1 plant 	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
  variety (minimum) 		225 feet 	150 feet 	85 feet 	45 feet
 
 (5) Seed standards for crownvetch seed are as follows:

							  Classes of Seed
  Factor 					Foundation 		Certified
  Pure seed (minimum) 				98.0% 			98.0%
  Inert matter (maximum) 			2.0% 			2.0%
  Weeds (maximum) 				0.1% 			0.5%
  Prohibited noxious (maximum) 			none 			none
  Restricted noxious (maximum) 			27 per pound 		45 per pound
  Other crops (maximum) 			0.2% 			1.0%
  Sweet clover (maximum) 			9 per pound 		45 per pound
  Other varieties or off-types (maximum) 	0.1% 			1.0%
  Germination (minimum) 						65.0%
  Germination less hard seed (minimum) 					35.0%

  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 				Foundation 		Certified
  Other varieties 1 			none 			1:50
  Isolation (feet)2 			1,320 			1653

  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 				Foundation 		Certified
  Pure seed (minimum) 			99.0% 			99.0%
  Total weed seeds (maximum) 		0.2% 			0.5%
  Other crop seeds (maximum) 		0.2% 			0.5%
  Other varieties (maximum) 		0.1% 			0.5%
  Other grasses (maximum) 		0.1% 			0.2%
  Inert matter (maximum) 		1.0% 			1.0%
  Prohibited weed seeds none none
  Restricted weed seeds (maximum) 	9 per pound		9 per pound
  Germination (minimum) 					80.0%

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

					  	Classes of Seed
  Factor 				Foundation 		Certified
  Pure seed (minimum) 			96.0% 			96.0%
  Total weed seeds (maximum) 		0.3% 			0.5%
  Other varieties (maximum) 		0.1% 			2.0%
  Other crop seeds (maximum) 		0.2% 			2.0%
  Inert matter (maximum) 		4.0%			4.0%
  Prohibited weed seeds 		none 			none
  Restricted weed seeds (maximum) 	9 per pound 		9 per pound
  Germination (minimum) 					75.0%

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

						  Classes of Seed
  Factor 				Foundation 		Certified
  Pure seed (minimum) 			90.0% 			90.0%
  Total weed seed (maximum) 		0.3% 			0.5%
  Other varieties (maximum) 		0.1% 			2.0%
  Other crop seeds (maximum)		0.2% 			1.0%
  Inert matter (maximum) 		10.0% 			10.0%
  Prohibited weed seeds 		none 			none
  Restricted weed seeds (maximum) 	9 per pound 		9 per pound
  Germination (minimum) 					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 		Certified
  Other varieties or off-types 		0.05% 			0.2%
  Inseparable other crops,
  Non-brassicaceae 			1 plant per acre	5 plants per acre
  Inseparable other,
  Brassicaceae spp. 			None 			1 plant per acre
  Blackleg, Leptosphaeria maculans 	.001% 			.005%

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

						  Classes of Seed
  Factor 				Foundation 		Certified
  Pure seed (minimum) 			99.0% 			99.0%
  Inert matter (maximum) 		1.0% 			1.0%
  Prohibited noxious weeds 		none 			none
  Restricted noxious weeds and other, 
    Brassicaceae spp.  (maximum)  	1  per pound 		5 per pound
  Other weeds (maximum) 		5 per pound 		15 per pound
  Total other crop seed (maximum) 	0.05% 			0.25%
  Other varieties and off-types 	0.05% 			0.25%
  (maximum)
  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 		Certified
  Other varieties or off-types 		0.02% 			0.1%

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

 						 Classes of Seed
  Factor 				Foundation 		Certified
  Pure seed (minimum) 			98.0% 			98.0%
  Other varieties or off-types 
    (maximum) 				0.1% 			0.5%
  Other crop seeds (maximum) 		none 			1 per pound
  Inert matter (maximum) 		2.0% 			2.0%
  Weed seeds 				none 			none
  Germination (minimum)	 					85.0%

  History:  1994 AACS.


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 				Foundation 		Certified
  Other variety or off-types (maximum) 	.05% 			.5%
  Other inseparable crops 		none 			none

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

 						 Classes of Seed
  Factor 				Foundation 		Certified
  Pure seed (minimum) 			99.0% 			99.0%
  Inert matter (maximum) 		1.0% 			1.0%
  Weeds (maximum) 			none 			none
  Other crops (maximum) 		1 per 3 pounds 		1 per pound
  Other varieties or off-types (maximum) .05% 			.5%
  Germination (minimum) 					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
  				Less than 	5 acres		Less than 	5 acres
  Factor 			5 acres 	or more 	5 acres 	or more

  Other varieties or 		1 plant 	1 plant 	5 plants 	5 plants
  off-types (maximum) 		per acre 	per acre 	per acre 	per acre
  Vetch, Vicia spp. 		None 		none 		1 plant 	1 plant
  (maximum) 							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 variety
  (minimum) 			225 feet 	150 feet 	85 feet 	45 feet

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

 						 Classes of Seed
  Factor				 Foundation 		Certified
  Pure seed (minimum) 			97.0% 			97.0%
  Inert matter (maximum) 		3.0% 			3.0%
  Weeds (maximum) 			0.1% 			0.5%
  Prohibited noxious 			none 			none
  Restricted noxious 			27 per pound 		45 per pound
  Other crops (maximum) 		0.1% 			0.1%
  Vetch, Vicia spp. (maximum) 		10 per pound 		45 per pound
  Other varieties or off-types (maximum) 0.1% 			0.1%
  Germination (minimum) 					60.0%
  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 shall be isolated by a distance of  not  less
than 825 feet from other corn of 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 shall  not  apply  when  increase  is  by
hand-pollination.
  (3) Inbred lines  are  eligible  for  certification  when  used  in  the
production of certified hybrids.
  (4) Germplasm used in the production of inbred lines shall  be  obtained
from  the  Michigan  agricultural  experiment  station  and  other   state
agricultural  experiment  stations,  the  United  States   department   of
agriculture, and such other sources that are acceptable  to  the  official
certifying agency and that are approved by the Michigan  state  university
agricultural experiment station and the  director  of  the  department  of
agriculture.
  (5) Fields shall be inspected by the certifying agency not less  than  4
times during the pollinating period. Roguing for off-type plants shall  be
performed before any pollen discharge. An inbred field that has more  than
0.1% definitely off-type plants or more than 1.0% of doubtful-type  plants
shall not be certified.
  (6) A seed lot  of  an  inbred  line  shall  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.


R  285.623.215   Foundation corn; single cross hybrids.
  Rule 215.  (1)  A  single  cross  hybrid  shall  consist  of  the  first
generation of a cross between 2 certified inbred lines.
  (2) A single cross crossing field shall be isolated by a distance of not
less than 825 feet from other corn of like color or texture and 1,320 feet
from corn of a different color or texture.
  (3) All of the following field inspection standards  shall  be  complied
with:
  (a) Fields shall 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 shall
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 shall 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 shall not be certified.
  (h) At the time of the last inspection, the seed parent  in  a  crossing
field shall 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 shall 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.


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   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
 		 less 	10-19 		20-29 		30-39 	more 	Rows
  Distance 	660 	627 		594 		561 	545 	2
  (in feet) 	577 	544 		511 		478 	462 	4
  of seed 	495 	462 		429 		396 	330 	6
  rows 		412 	379 		346 		313 	290 	8
  from 		330 	297 		264 		231 	214 	10
  other 	247 	214 		181 		165 	165 	12
  corn 		165 	148 		115 		66 	66 	14

  (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%.

  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  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 	Certified
  Other varieties (maximum) 		none 		1.0% 
  Isolation1, 2, 3
  Less than 5 acres (minimum) 		2,640 feet 	330 feet
  More than 5 acres (minimum) 		900 feet 	165 feet

  1This 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.
  2Fields that are used to  produce  foundation  perennial  ryegrass  seed
shall be isolated a minimum distance of 330 feet from tall fescue.
  3See R 285.623.302 - Isolation.
  (5) Seed standards for perennial ryegrass seed are as follows:

					  Classes of Seed
  Factor 				Foundation 	Certified
  Total ryegrass (minimum) 		97.0% 		97.0%
  Other ryegrass (maximum) 		0.1% 		3.0%
  Crop other than ryegrass (maximum) 	0.1%		 0.5%
  Total other crop including other 
    ryegrass (maximum) 			0.2% 		3.5%
  Inert matter (maximum) 		3.0% 		3.0%
  Weed seed (maximum) 			0.15% 		0.5%
  Prohibited noxious weeds (maximum) 	none 		none
  Restricted  noxious  weeds  and  
    St.  Johnswart,  docks,  sheep  
    sorrel, bedstraw (maximum) 		27 per pound 	45 per pound
  Germination (minimum) 				85.0%

  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  annual
ryegrass during the previous 5 years, unless the land was used to  produce
annual ryegrass seed that  is  of  the  same  variety  and  class  and  is
certified. 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.
  (2) Annual ryegrass shall be planted in distinct rows.
  (3) Field standards for annual ryegrass seed are as follows:

  						Classes of Seed
  Factor 				Foundation 		Certified
  Other varieties (maximum) 		none 			1.0%
  Isolation 1, 2, 
  Less than 5 acres (minimum) 		2,640 feet 		330 feet
  More than 5 acres (minimum) 		900 feet 		165 feet

  1 This distance shall be  maintained  from  all  varieties  of  ryegrass,
either annual  or  perennial.  Diploid  ryegrass  varieties  need  not  be
isolated 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 		Certified
  Total ryegrass (minimum) 		97.0% 			97.0%
  Other ryegrass (maximum) 		0.1%			3.0%
  Crop other than ryegrass (maximum) 	0.1% 			0.5%
  Total other crop including other 
    ryegrass (maximum) 			0.2% 			2.5%
  Inert matter (maximum) 		3.0% 			3.0%
  Weed seed (maximum) 			0.15% 			0.3%
  Prohibited noxious weeds (maximum) 	none 			none
  Restricted  noxious  weeds  and  St.  
    Johnswart,  docks,  sheep  sorrel,
     bedstraw (maximum) 		27 per pound 		45 per pound
  Germination (minimum) 					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:

					 	 Classes of Seed
  Factor 				Foundation 		Certified
  Other varieties (maximum)1 		none 			2.0%
  Isolation2, 3 (minimum) 		165 feet 		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 	Certified 	Certified
  Pure seed (minimum) 			95.0% 		95.0% 		92.0%
  Other crop (maximum) 			0.1% 		0.25%1 		0.25%1
  Inert matter (maximum) 		5.0% 		5.0% 		8.0%
  Weed seed2 (maximum) 			0.1% 		0.3% 		0.3%
  Prohibited noxious weeds (maximum) 	none 		none 		none
  Restricted  noxious  weeds  and  St.  
    Johnswart,  docks,  sheep  sorrel,
    bedstraw (maximum) 			27 per pound 	45 per pound 	45 per pound
  Germination (minimum)			 -- 		75.0% 		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
  Factor 				Foundation 		Certified
  Other varieties (maximum)1 		none 			1.0%
  Isolation2, 3
  Less than 5 acres (minimum) 		1,320 feet 		330 feet
  More than 5 acres (minimum) 		900 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
  Factor 				Foundation 		Certified
  Pure seed (minimum) 			98.0% 			97.0%
  Other crop (maximum) 			0.1% 			0.25%
  Inert matter (maximum) 		2.0% 			3.0%
  Weed seed (maximum) 			0.1% 			0.3%
  Prohibited noxious weeds (maximum) 	none 			none
  Restricted  noxious  weeds  and  St.  
    Johnswart,  docks,  sheep  sorrel,
    bedstraw (maximum) 			27 per pound 		45 per pound
  Germination (minimum) 					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 		Certified
  Other varieties (maximum)1 		none 			1.0%
  Isolation2, 3
  Less than 5 acres (minimum) 		1,320 feet 		330 feet
  More than 5 acres (minimum) 		900 feet 		165 feet

  1 Includes off-type plants.
  2 See R 285.623.302 - Isolation.
  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 		Certified
  Pure seed (minimum) 			98.0% 			98.0%
  Other crops (maximum) 		0.1% 			0.5%
  Inert matter (maximum) 		2.0% 			2.0%
  Weed seed (maximum) 			0.3% 			0.3%
  Prohibited noxious weeds (maximum) 	none 			none
  Restricted  noxious  weeds  and  St.  
    Johnswart,  docks,  sheep  sorrel,
    bedstraw (maximum) 			27 per pound 		45 per pound
  Germination (minimum) 					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.


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 	Minimum 	Maximum1  	
									Maximum4
  Kind 			Purity 		Germination 	Other crop 	Weed
  Perennial ryegrass 	98% 		90% 		0.1%2		.02%
  Merion Kentucky 	95% 		80% 		0.1%3 		.02%
  bluegrass
  Other varieties of 	97% 		80% 		0.1%3 		.02%
  Kentucky bluegrass
  Red fescue		98% 		90% 		0.1% 		.02%
  Chewings fescue 	98% 		90% 		0.1% 		.02%
  Tall fescue 		98.5% 		90% 		0.1% 		.02%

  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.