Definitions

Seed Tag Definitions

Kind and variety refer to the crop and stated variety.

Lot number allows seed to be traced back to a specific grower and field. The producer whose name and address appears on the tag may or may not be the actual grower, but is the party responsible for seed contained in the bag. Lot number should also be identified with the seed lab test used to provide the purity and germination of the seed.

Pure Seed is the percent of the variety named in the bag. A high pure seed percentage is desirable.

Other crop seed is the percent of crop seed not named on the tag. Many times seed may become mechanically mixed during harvesting, storing and processing, or through field contamination. A low other crop percentage is desirable.

Inert matter refers to the percent of dirt, sand, stones, sticks, glumes, stems, broken seed, etc. Inert matter contributes nothing to crop yield but may create planting problems. Crops such as some grasses contain a relatively high percentage of chaff and empty florets, and thus may be marketed on the basis of pure live seed (PLS).

PLS = pure seed x (germination + dormant or hard seed)/100

Weed seeds in the seed should be very low. Any prohibited noxious weeds in the bag will stop sale of the seed.

Germination is important to getting a stand. The analysis tag will show the percent of pure seed that will produce normal plants under favorable field conditions. Producers should look for high germination and high pure seed when purchasing seed. PLS can be used to determine the seeding rate necessary for an acceptable stand.

Hard or dormant seed - live seeds require a longer time to germinate

Test date is important, as normally a reported germination is reliable for six to nine months.

Plant Variety Protection Act provides legal intellectual property rights protection to developers of new varieties.

Plant Variety Protection allows owners of new varieties to maintain control over the purity and the marketing of the variety.

Genetic Stocks: Research in plant breeding, genetic and/or cellular and molecular biology may produce unique genetic characteristics or distinct genetic materials useful to other researchers. Examples include specific genetic characters, genes or gene constructs involving vectors, and promoters. An essential characteristic of genetic stocks is that they have no immediate commercial value.

Germplasm: Germplasm is commonly used to further research, with little value for increase or direct commercial use in its present form. However, some desirable characters may be immediately useful to breeders and industry in developing improved varieties in other research programs.

Breeding Lines: Breeding lines may contain useful characteristics of unique traits with apparent commercial value. Breeding lines may be increased in their present form, used for selection, or tested further before commercialization. The Experiment Station may choose to release some advanced materials as "breeding lines" rather than continue research for commercial applications as varieties or inbred lines.

Selected Plant Materials: Selected plant materials may be transferred to public or private firms for cooperative research, usually under a protection agreement, for further development, feasibility studies, or commercial exploration.

Commercial Varieties or Parental/Inbred Line: These plant materials are released for direct commercialization as new varieties or production of hybrids; release depends on clear demonstration of performance or traits in several experiments over several years, locations and/or conditions.

Types of Releases and Transfer

Release of plant materials is based on several factors (such as crop species, means of propagation, and commercial potential). Flexibility is essential to meet specific economic, biological or industry needs. Alternatives for release and distribution for plant materials include:

Unrestricted Unlimited Release - An Unrestricted Unlimited Release is intended for general uses of those plant materials with undefined uses or low commercial potential, without any restrictions on research or commercialization uses. One-time fees may be requested to recover costs.

Restricted Release - A Restricted Release designates specific uses for plant material, with an agreement with recipients, noting restrictions, applications, and mutual interests.

Limited Release - A Limited Release involves specific recipients, to enable selected firms to use plant materials. Agreements may be developed with a small number of firm(s), selected on the basis of their proposal, and/or provide a protected position for a single firm or organization to complete research and/or assume commercial development. Limited Releases are usually managed under a license or option agreement, with financial terms and performance expectations.

Unreleased Transfer - Some plant materials may not be immediately released but simply provided to others for additional research or commercial feasibility studies. "Selected Plant Materials" may be managed under a Material Transfer Agreement or an Option Agreement, until specific traits and usefulness are determined and a formal release is proposed.