FOREWORD


Seed Certification in South Carolina is the result of an Act passed by the General Assembly in 1945. This Act, "An Act to Foster the Production of Improved Seeds and Plants in South Carolina and Provide for the Certification Thereof" empowered Clemson College to inaugurate a program of certification of pure seeds and plants of new and improved varieties. This Statute defined the terms "certification" and "certified" as applied to seeds and plants in the act as guarantee that all necessary precautions have been taken to insure that the seeds and plants conform to commonly recognized standards of quality for such seeds and plants as established by Clemson College.

The Department of Fertilizer and Seed Certification Services of Clemson University, hereinafter referred to as Seed Certification Department, is the official seed certifying agency for South Carolina. The Seed Certification Department is a member of the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA). All standards in this publication meet or exceed the standards of AOSCA and the seed certification standards and procedures in Federal Seed Act Regulations.

This publication contains in the General Certification Standards those standards which apply generally to all crops offered for certification in South Carolina. Individual commodity standards include any modifications of the General Certification Standards as well as standards which apply only to the specific crop.

Published: 7/72

Revised: 1977, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1988, 2001.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword

GENERAL STANDARDS

    Classes of Seed Recognized and Definition of Terms
    Eligibility Requirements for Certification Varieties
    Limitations of Generations
    Application for Certification
    Production of Seed
    Conditioning of Seed
    Lot Size, Sampling, Seed Testing
    Grow-Out Tests
    Labeling
    Sale of Conditioned Seed in Bulk
    Substandard Seed in Emergencies
    Complying with Federal and State Seed Laws
    Grower or Vendor Responsibility
    Producer Records
    Interagency Certification

COMMODITY STANDARDS

  Grasses:
    Vegetatively Propagated Forage Grass
    Vegetatively Propagated Turf
    Okra
    Peanuts
    Sweet Potatoes
    Small Grain: (Wheat, Oats, Barley, Rye, and Triticale)
    Soybeans
    Tobacco

CHAPTER 27

CLEMSON UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS

ARTICLE 14

SEED CERTIFICATION STANDARDS

27-190. GENERAL CERTIFICATION STANDARDS

In order to qualify as a seed certifying agency for purposes of section 101(a) (24) of the Federal Seed Act (7 U.S.C. 1551) the Department of Fertilizer & Seed Certification Services of Clemson University, hereinafter referred to as the Seed Certification Department, enforces standards and procedures, as conditions for its certification of seed, that meet or exceed the standards and procedures specified in sections 201.68 - 201.78 of Federal Seed Act Regulations.

The following are the minimum standards required for the certification of seed and vegetative propagating material for genetic purity and identity by the Seed Certification Department. This seed certification program shall cover planting stocks of varieties*, hybrids, multi-lines, synthetics, etc. produced, conditioned, sampled, tested and labeled in accordance with the standards of the Seed Certification Department.

Crops Without Published Standards

In the case of crops for which no standards have been published in South Carolina, standards of the Federal Seed Act or the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA) shall apply. If no Federal or AOSCA standards have been published for the crop, standards of an AOSCA member agency certifying the crop will be used until South Carolina Standards are published.

*In some cases certification will be as to kind, on an interim basis; for example, where varieties have not been developed.

  1. CLASSES OF SEED RECOGNIZED AND DEFINITION OF TERMS
    1. Breeder Seed is seed or vegetative propagating material directly controlled by the originating or sponsoring plant breeding institution, firm, or individual, and is the source for the production of the other classes of certified seed.
    2. Foundation Seed is a class of certified seed which is the progeny of Breeder or Foundation seed or vegetative propagating material produced and handled to maintain genetic purity and identity, as outlined for Foundation seed in the standards of the Seed Certification Department.
    3. Registered Seed is a class of certified seed which is the progeny of Breeder or Foundation or vegetative propagating material produced and handled to maintain genetic purity and identity as outlined for Registered seed in the standards of the Seed Certification Department.
    4. Certified Seed is a class of certified seed which is the progeny of Breeder or Foundation or Registered seed or vegetative propagating material produced and handled to maintain genetic purity and identity as outlined for Certified seed in the standards of the Seed Certification Department.
    5. Variety - The term variety (cultivar) denotes an assemblage of cultivated individuals which are distinguished by any characters (morphological, cytological, chemical or others) significant for the purposes of agriculture, forestry, or horticulture and which, when reproduced (sexually or asexually) or reconstituted, retain their distinguishing features.
    6. Off-type - a plant or seed not part of the variety in that it deviates in one or more characteristics from that which has been described by the breeder as being usual for the strain or variety.
    7. Hybrid - The term "hybrid" applied to kinds or varieties of seed means the first generation seed of a cross produced by controlling the pollination and by combining (1) two or more inbred lines; (2) one inbred or a single cross with an open pollinated variety; or (3) two selected clones, seed lines, varieties, or species. "Controlling the pollination" means to use a method of hybridization which will produce pure seed which is at least 75 percent hybrid seed. Hybrid designations shall be treated as variety names.
    8. Open-Pollination - The term "open pollination" means pollination that occurs naturally as opposed to controlled pollination such as by detasselling, cytoplasmic male sterility, self-incompatibility or similar processes.
    9. Lot of Seed - a definite quantity of seed identified by a lot number, every portion or bag of which is uniform, within permitted tolerances, for the factors which appear in the labeling.
    10. Purity - the name of the kind, type or variety and the percentage thereof; the percentage of other crop seed; the percentage of weed seeds; the percentage of inert matter; and the names of the noxious weed seeds and the rate of occurrence of each.
    11. Conditioning - the various procedures involved in the mechanical handling of seed after harvesting to prepare the seed for marketing.
    12. Variants - seed of plants which are (a) distinct within the variety but occur naturally within the variety, (b) stable and predictable with a degree of reliability comparable to other varieties of the same kind, within recognized tolerances, when the variety is reproduced or reconstituted and (c) which were a part of the variety as originally released. Variants are not to be considered off types.
    13. Label - the term label as used herein shall be defined as an attachment to or printed area of a seed container which contains product identity and quality information as required by these standards and the SC Seed Law.

II. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION OF VARIETIES

A variety shall be eligible for certification in South Carolina only if it has been approved as meriting certification by the Seed Certification Department or one other agency which is a member of AOSCA, or by an appropriate national variety review board. The originator, developer, owner or agent must provide the following information when eligibility for certification is requested (this information may be submitted on forms provided by the Seed Certification Department or on an application for U.S. Plant Variety Protection):

III. LIMITATIONS OF GENERATIONS

The number of generations through which a variety may be multiplied shall be limited to that specified by the originating or sponsoring breeder or owner of the variety and shall not exceed two generations beyond the Foundation seed class with the following exceptions:

    1. Re-certification of the Certified class may be permitted for older varieties where Foundation seed is not being maintained.
    2. The production of an additional generation of the Certified class only may be permitted on a one-year basis, when an emergency is declared by the certifying agency stating that the Foundation and Registered seed supplies are not adequate to plant the needed Certified acreage of the variety. The permission of the originating or sponsoring plant breeder, institution, firm or owner of the variety, if existent, must be obtained. The additional generation of certified seed to meet the emergency need is ineligible for re-certification.

IV. APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATION

V. PRODUCTION OF SEED

  1. Maintenance of Genetic Purity and Identity
      1. The applicant for certification shall be responsible for maintaining genetic purity and identity at all stages of certification including seeding, harvesting, storage, conditioning and labeling of the seed. Failure of the applicant to maintain genetic purity and identity at any stage of certification shall be cause for rejection of the crop for certification.
      1. The applicant's signature on the application for certification is affidavit of the following:
        1. That all equipment involved in planting, harvesting or other handling will be adequately cleaned to maintain genetic purity and identity of the seed.
        2. That only the seed verified as the eligible seed source on the application was planted in the field(s) described on the application.
        3. That the identity of the seed will be maintained form harvest to the time it leaves the applicant's possession through the use of an identification system as indicated in this section, F and Section VI, B, 2.
  2. Unit of Certification

    The unit of certification shall be a clearly defined area, which may be divided subject to specific crop standards.

  3. Field Inspection

    One or more field inspections shall be made each time a seed crop of any certified class is to be harvested and when genetic purity and  identity or any other factor affecting seed certification can best be determined. The field shall be in such condition to permit an adequate inspection to determine genetic purity an identity.

    Weeds present in any field to the extent that genetic purity determination is not possible shall be sufficient cause for rejection of that field.

  4. Re-inspection of Rejected Fields

    If a grower desires re-inspection of a rejected field, he must notify the Department when deficiencies have been corrected. The cost of re-inspections shall be another farm fee and inspection fee. Another farm fee will not be charged on a re-inspection if a re-inspection can be performed in conjunction with other first-time inspection work on later maturing varieties, etc.

  5. Seed-Borne Diseases and Seed Treatment

    Every field for which certification is requested shall show evidence that reasonable precaution has been taken to control seed-borne diseases. The field at time of inspection shall not contain injurious seed-borne plant diseases beyond established tolerances specified in the individual crop seed standards. New diseases may create a need for new standards before they can be published. In such situations, the Seed Certification Department shall impose such standards as are deemed to be in the best interest of S.C. Certified seed. When seed of a variety without resistance to a seed-borne disease has been subjected to possible infection by disease it is desirable that such seed be treated with a recommended seed treatment.

  6. Inspection of Harvested Seed

    Harvested lots of seed from inspected fields may be inspected at any time by representatives of the Seed Certification Department. Evidence that any lot of seed has not been protected from contamination which affects genetic purity, or is not properly identified, shall be cause for rejection of the seed for certification. Bins and other storage facilities must be labeled or marked to indicate crop, variety, and class. Office records on identification of seed in storage must indicate variety, class, grower, approximate quantity and storage.

  7. Producer's Estimate of Production

    After an applicant's fields have passed inspection and have been harvested he will be furnished a form by the Seed Certification Department on which he must report his estimate of production. This information must be on file with the Seed Certification Department before certification labels will be issued.

  8. Bulk Shipment of Certified Seed for Conditioning

    When any class of certified seed is being transported in bulk for conditioning, the form Shipping, receiving and Conditioning Report for Bulk Seed must be completed and filed with the Seed Certification Department. This form identifies the certifying agency, the crop and variety, class of seed, lot number, quantity, conditioner, etc. This form is also to be used to record change of ownership of seed.

VI. CONDITIONING OF SEED

    1. All seed to be certified in South Carolina must be conditioned at facilities which are inspected and approved for conditioning certified seed. The seed may be conditioned by the grower on his own equipment or by an approved custom or commercial conditioner provided inspections by the Seed Certification Department determine that genetic purity and identity can be maintained during all handling of certified seed at the facility including storage, conditioning and labeling.
    2. Conditioners of all classes of certified seed shall meet the following requirements:
      1. Facilities must be available that can condition seed without introducing admixtures. The conditioner shall be responsible for proper cleaning of facilities to prevent contamination of certified seed delivered for conditioning.
      2. Identity of the seed must be maintained at all times.
        1. Certified seed being delivered for conditioning must be adequately identified by the grower. All unconditioned certified seed stored in bins or other areas on the premises must be labeled or marked to indicate variety and class.

          At the time of bagging of conditioned certified seed, each bag of seed shall have permanently marked on it the variety and lot number. The use of a stencil or stamp is recommended but any means of permanently marking bags is acceptable. Once marked on the bag, a lot number may not be removed or marked out and another lot number substituted for it.

        2. Each bin or container of bulk conditioned seed which is ready for sale or which is being transferred to storage for sale must be labeled with the form S. C. Bulk Registered or Certified Seed Label and Inventory which must be obtained from the Seed Certification Department.
      1. Records of all operations relating to certification must be complete and adequate to account for all incoming seed and final disposition of seed.

        Conditioners shall permit inspection by the Seed Certification Department of all records pertaining to certified seed.

      2. Conditioners shall designate an individual who shall be responsible for performing the duties required by the Seed Certification Department.
    3. Seed lots of the same variety and seed class may be blended and the seed class retained. If lots of different classes are blended, the lowest class shall be applied to the resultant blend. Such blending can only be done when authorized by the Seed Certification Department.
    4. The Seed Certification Department shall have the authority, without prior notice, to inspect facilities used to condition certified seed to determine that the facilities and handling of the seed comply with the requirements of section VI, Conditioning of Seed. Any conditioner who fails to meet these requirements shall forfeit his right to condition certified seed until deficiencies are corrected.
    5. If South Carolina certification labels are to be issued on seed which was field-approved in South Carolina but is to be conditioned in another state, the conditioner must supply the Seed Certification Department proof of conditioning plant approval by the seed certifying agency of the state in which the plant is located.
    6. Approved Conditioners
      1. Conditioners who desire to condition certified seed for other growers in South Carolina must apply annually for Approved Conditioner classification. Conditioners desiring to apply for Approved Conditioner classification for the first time should request application blanks from the Seed Certification Department.
      2. Inspections. Plants applying for Approved classification will be inspected at least once annually with the times of inspections to be at the discretion of the Seed Certification Department and without prior notification to the conditioner. Approved conditioner classification shall remain in effect for one year providing subsequent inspections do not disclose deficiencies which result in loss of the classification. If, during inspection, deficiencies are noted that prevent the facility from being granted the Approved the owner will have 30 days to correct the deficiencies before losing the Approved classification. Consideration will be given to correction of deficiencies that would require more than 30 days because of need for mechanical or engineering changes. If Approved status is lost as the result of deficiencies not corrected, reinstatement must be accomplished by filing a new application and paying another inspection fee. At the end of the year during which a facility has retained its Approved status, the Seed Certification Department will notify the conditioner of the need to file an application for renewal of Approved classification.

      3. Inspection Fee. The annual fee for Approved conditioner classification shall be payable at the time application is filed. The fee will cover all inspections for one year if, during the course of the year's inspections, the facility retains its Approved classification. If a facility loses its Approved classification as the result of deficiencies noted during inspections and the conditioner desires to correct the deficiencies and request reinstatement to Approved status, he must file a new application and pay the fee again.

      4. Listing of Approved Conditioners

        The Seed Certification Department shall publish semi-annually and mail to seedsmen and growers the list of Approved Certified Seed Conditioners in South Carolina. When a facility loses Approved status, all certified seed growers who are using the facility will be notified of the need to arrange for conditioning elsewhere until the facility regains Approved status.

      5. Loss of Approved Conditioner Classification

          6. Loss of Approved conditioner classification may result from:

          1. Failure to meet conditioning requirements of this section, VI. Conditioning of Seed. Under these circumstances re-instatement of the Approved classification may be accomplished as indicated under F. 3. Inspection Fee.
          2. If, during any year in which a conditioner is classified Approved, more than ten percent (10%) of the samples of his certified seed are found out of tolerance in a percentage of purity, inert matter, weed seed or other crop seed, he will forfeit the Approved classification for no less than one year. This applies to all classes of certified seed on which the conditioner's name appears as seedsman on the certification label or Bulk Conditioned Seed Sale Certificate for S. C. Registered or Certified Seed. Analyses of samples of certified seed conditioned for other growers shall be the basis for application of this standard to the conditioner who conditions no certified seed for himself. Determination of samples out of tolerance will be based on analyses of a combination of the samples of certified seed obtained by Seed Certification Department and S. C. Department of Agriculture inspectors as compared to analysis labels on the seed. No conditioner shall have his Approved classification withdrawn on the basis of analyses of less than fifty (50) samples annually unless the number of samples found out of tolerance at the end of the year exceeds five (5), (10%of 50). When less than fifty (50) samples of a conditioner's certified seed are drawn annually by Seed Certification and S. C. Department of Agriculture inspectors, and the number of samples found out of tolerance during the year has not exceeded five (5), the percentage of samples out of tolerance will be determined when fifty (50) such samples have been drawn and analyzed.

        Should loss of Approved Conditioner classification be appealed to the Seed Certification Department and not be resolved amicably, the complainant may appeal to the Clemson University Board of Trustees. In which case, the Chairman of the Board will appoint a committee with Board representation and representative members of the seed industry to study the matter and make recommendations to the Board.

VII. LOT SIZE, SAMPLING, SEED TESTING

    1. A maximum quantity of seed permitted, per lot and size of sample required, for a purity and germination test is as follows:
      CROP

        MAXIMUM LOT SIZE

      SAMPLE SIZE
      Clover 500 bags or 25,000 lbs. 5 oz.
      Corn 500 bags or 25,000 lbs. 2 lbs.
      Cotton 500 bags or 25,000 lbs. 2 lbs.
      Fescue 500 bags or 25,000 lbs. 5 oz.
      Lespedeza 500 bags or 25,000 lbs. 5 oz.
      Okra 200 bags or 10,000 lbs. 4 oz.
      Cowpeas  500 bags or 25,000 lbs. 2 lbs.
      Peanuts  500 bags or 25,000 lbs. 2 lbs.
      Small Grains:
      Barley 24,000 lbs. 2 lbs.
      Oats  32,000 lbs. 2 lbs.
      Rye 28,000 lbs. 2 lbs.
      Triticale 24,000 lbs. 2 lbs.
      Wheat 30,000 lbs. 2 lbs.
      Soybeans  30,000 lbs. 2 lbs.
      Note: Varietal purity determination is not possible on seed which has been treated with some pesticides. If a pesticide is to be used which coats or colors the seed, a sample of the conditioned, untreated seed must be submitted for purity analysis and a sample of the conditioned, treated seed must be submitted for the germination test.
    2. Sampling of conditioned seed for certification may be accomplished by any of several approved methods, but the primary consideration should be that the sample is as representative of the seed as possible. The signature of the applicant for certification is affidavit that he and the conditioner of his seed are familiar with and will draw samples for certification in accordance with one of the following approved sampling methods:
        1. If seed is sampled during conditioning, the most representative sample can be obtained with an automatic sampling device in the flow of conditioned seed or by taking a small portion of seed by hand from the top of each bag before it is closed. When conditioning of a lot is complete (see maximum lot size, item A) the seed taken from each bag should be thoroughly mixed and a sample of the seed required for testing (see size of sample required, item A) taken from this seed.
        2. If seed is sampled after conditioning and closing of bags, a probe or trier long enough to reach all areas in the bag shall be used for free flowing seed. When sampling closed bags in quantities of one to six bags, a sample shall be composed of a core from each bag for a total of at least five cores for each sample. For lots of more than six bags, sample five bags plus at least 10% of the number of bags in the lot. Regardless of lot size, it is not necessary to sample more than thirty bags.
        3. If seed is sampled after conditioning and is to remain in bulk it shall be sampled by inserting a long probe into the seed at well distributed points throughout the bulk. Sufficient seed must be obtained from the bulk conditioned seed to provide the same number of samples required from the seed as if it were being bagged. (See VII, A.).
        4. Note: Federal Seed Act Regulations require maintenance of a complete record on each lot, including a sample representing each lot transported or delivered for transportation in interstate commerce. Records and samples are to be kept for three (3) years, except that any sample may be discarded one (1) year after the entire lot has been disposed of by the person transporting or delivering the seed for transportation in interstate commerce.

          It is advisable to retain a sample regardless of where the seed is sold.

    3. The Seed Certification Department and its designated representatives shall have the authority, without prior notice, to sample conditioned certified seed while the seed is on the premises of or remains the responsibility of the seedsman whose name appears on the certification labels or bulk sale certificate.

      The producer or conditioner, depending on location of the seed, is expected to stack and store conditioned certified seed to permit reasonable access for random sampling of the lots available in accordance with procedure outlined in B. 2 and 3 of this section of standards. "Reasonable access" as used herein is interpreted as being afforded access to sample at random a representation of the lots of certified seed in a warehouse or other facility without causing undue inconvenience to the conditioner or producer.

    4. The South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) is designated by law as the only official laboratory for testing certified seed samples in South Carolina. Certified seed labels or bulk sale certificates will be issued only on the basis of "Official Sample" tests by the SCDA.
      1. Each applicant whose fields meet certification standards will be furnished "Official Sample" stickers which must be attached to certified seed samples submitted to the SCDA for testing. The detailed "Official Sample" analysis must be performed on certified seed samples to determine that seed standards of the certification program are met.
      2. Analyses performed on more than one sample taken from a given quantity of seed, without some form of reconditioning (recleaning, treating, etc.) shall be averaged to determine acceptance or rejection of the seed for certification.
      3. Note: It is a violation of the S.C. Seed Law to offer seed for sale or distribution before it has been analyzed in accordance with the provisions of the S.C. Seed Law.
                               

VIII. GROW-OUT TESTS

As an additional check on effectiveness of the certification program, the Seed Certification Department will routinely sample conditioned certified seed and plant the seed to determined that seed purity is being maintained and that producers or conditioners are sampling properly. In all cases where possible, grow-out plantings of these samples will be planted immediately adjacent to plantings from samples of the same lots which producers or conditioners submitted to the S.C. Department of Agriculture Seed Laboratory for purity and germination tests. Plantings from these two samplings of the same lot of seed will be expected to vary little when planted side by side. Obvious variation will be interpreted as failure of the producer or conditioner to obtain a representative sample of the lot. In such cases the producer or conditioner will be notified of the need to implement measures to insure representative sampling. Failure of a producer or conditioner to implement measures to insure representative sampling of lots will result in loss of the privilege to produce or condition certified seed until necessary corrective measures are taken.

IX. LABELING

  1. Bag and Bulk Bin Labels 
    1. All classes of certified seed offered for sale shall have the official certification label or bulk bin label properly affixed to each bag or container except for vegetable seeds in containers of 5 pounds or less, for which the labels need not bear the name of the kind and variety, provided the name of the kind and variety is shown elsewhere on the containers. Even if all standards have been met, seed will not be considered certified unless properly labeled.

      All information the grower is required to provide to complete certification must be on file with the Seed Certification Department before certification labels or bulk bin labels will be issued.

    2. The certification label or bulk bin label attached to each bag or container serves as evidence of the genetic purity, identity, mechanical purity and germination of the seed contained therein. The following colors of labels shall be used to designate classes of seed:
        1. White for Foundation class.
        2. Purple for Registered class.
        3. Blue for Certified class.
    3. Certification labels or bulk bin labels must be obtained from the Seed Certification Department.

      Proper attachment of labels or bulk bin labels shall be the responsibility of the person for whom the seed is being certified. Labels must be attached only to the lot of seed actually sampled and tested and for which the labels or bulk bin labels were specifically issued. The lot number on the label must be the same as the lot number on the bag. (See VI.B. 2. [b])

      When requested, certification labels will be issued prior to conditioning provided the grower realizes that the S.C. Seed Law requires testing of the seed before it can be offered for sale or distribution. If certification labels are attached to seed during conditioning but the seed, when analyzed, does not meet certification standards, the labels must be removed and returned to the Seed Certification Department.

      If certified seed is sampled in the seed trade by the S.C. Department of Agriculture and a STOP ORDER is issued against the seed, the certification labels must be removed and returned to the Seed Certification Department.

    4. The certification label shall be attached to the container in a manner which prevents easy removal and reattachment.
      1. With fabric bags or open top paper bags it is recommended that the label be sewn on, or in the top of the bag.
      2. With valve filled paper bags and plastic bags or containers (including metal) it is recommended that the labels be glued to the container with an adhesive which prevents removal without destroying the label.
      3. The label may be printed directly on the container, if control of such containers can be maintained by the certifying agency.
      4. Closing of paper, plastic and metal containers will vary. The most satisfactory method is that of cementing the closure with an adhesive (glue, pressure-sensitive, thermo-plastic, etc.) which prevents entry to the container without leaving noticeable evidence of such tampering. Cementing the certification label over the enclosure is recommended where practicable.

    5. If reconditioning of a lot of certified seed becomes necessary for any reason, certification labels attached to it may not be reused.

  2. Bags
    1. All classes of certified seed offered for sale shall be bagged in official certification bags or in bags approved by the Seed Certification Department. It is desirable that bags other than official certification bags bear a brand name or emblem. Only new bags may be used for all classes of certified seed.
    2. When seed is bagged in official certified bags but found not meeting certification standards when analyzed, the seed must be re-bagged in non-certified bags, or the bag must be defaced to the extent that all mention of certification, the Seed Certification Department and Clemson University is obliterated.

      Official Note: It is a violation of the SC Seed Law to offer for sale or distribution in official certification bags and bearing no official certification label, seed that fails to meet SC Certification Standards.

 

27-1000. PEANUT SEED CERTIFICATION STANDARDS

  1. APPLICATION OF GENERAL CERTIFICATION STANDARDS

    The General Certification Standards, Clemson University Regulation 27-190, are basic and applicable.

     

  2. LAND REQUIREMENTS

    Peanuts shall be planted on land on which the previous crop was of another kind or planted with certified seed of the same variety.

     

  3. FIELD INSPECTION

    A field inspection shall be made at such time factors affecting certification can best be evaluated.

     

  4. FIELD STANDARDS

    1. General

      1. Unit of Certification

        The unit of certification shall be a field or a portion of a field.

      2. Isolation

        An isolation of ten feet from other varieties or from peanuts grown from uncertified seed of the same variety shall be required.

    2. Specific Requirements

      Maximum Permitted in Each Class

      Factor Foundation Registered Certified
      Other Varieties* 1:1000  1:500 1:200
      *Other varieties shall be considered to include off-type plants that can be differentiated form the variety that is being inspected.

  5. SEED STANDARDS

    Standards for Each Class
    Factor Foundation Registered Certified
    Pure Seed (min.) N.S. 97.00% 97.00%
    *Inert Matter (max.) N.S. 3.00% 3.00%
    **Weed Seeds (max.) .01% .01% .01%

    Objectionable or Noxious Weed Seeds.

    		 None None None
    Other Crop Seeds 0.11% .21% .52%
    ***Other kinds (max.) 0.01% .01% .02%
    Other varieties (max.) 0.10% .20% .50%
    Germination & hard seed (min.) N.S. 70.00% 70.00%
    *Spanish-type, runner-type and Virginia-type seed peanuts may include an additional 3.0% inert or 'bald head' (seed coat removed) seed.
    **Total weed seeds shall not exceed 5 per lb.
    ***Other kinds shall not exceed 2 per lb for Foundation and Registered, and 3 per lb for Certified.

  6. SIZE OF LOTS

    For the purpose of issuing certification labels the standard lot size for peanuts shall be a maximum of 500 bags or 25,000 lbs.

     

  7. SIZE OF OFFICIAL SAMPLE

    A 2 lb. sample of peanuts is required for official purity and germination tests by the S.C. State Department of Agriculture.

     

27-1001. SWEET POTATO CERTIFICATION STANDARDS

  1. APPLICATION OF GENERAL CERTIFICATION STANDARDS

    The General Certification Standards, Clemson University Regulation 27-190, are basic and applicable.

     

  2. LAND REQUIREMENTS
    1. Sweet potato stock eligible for certification must be produced:
      1. On land which did not produce sweet potatoes during the past three years.
      2. On land that did not receive manure or sweet potato residue during the past three years.
      3. On land not subject to drainage water from fields that are now growing or have grown sweet potatoes during the last three years.
    2. Sweet potato land shall be treated by approved methods for the control of wireworms and other soil insects where they are known to be a problem.
    3. Plant Bed Requirements
      1. The plant bed must be located on well drained soil that has not produced sweet potatoes within the last three years unless disinfected by approved methods. The land must not be subject to drainage from barnyards or poultry yards or fields that are now or have grown sweet potatoes during the past three years.
      2. Manure must not be used in the plant bed.
      3. Seed sweet potatoes must be treated with an approved pesticide prior to planting.

         

  3. FIELD INSPECTION
    1. Plant Bed

      One inspection shall be made when plants are nearly large enough to transplant.

    2. Field

      At least two field inspections shall be made, one shortly after transplanting of sprouts cut from the bed or vine cuttings. The final field inspection shall be performed at least 21 days after the first inspection and when diseases and varietal mixtures can be most easily detected.

  4. FIELD STANDARDS
    1. General
      1. Unit of Certification

        A field or a portion of a field.

      2. Isolation

        All fields producing a class of certified seed potatoes shall be isolated from other sweet potato fields in such a manner as to prevent mechanical mixture.

      3. Planting stock requirements
        1. Certified sweet potatoes must be produced from either vine cuttings or from sprouts cut from the bed.
        2. Sprouts must be cut approximately 1 inch above the soil surface, using a knife which has been disinfected.

           

    2. Specific Requirements

      Maximum Permitted in Each Class
      Factor Foundation Registered Certified
      Plant bed
              Blackrot None None None
              Wilt None  None  None
              Other Varieties None  None  None
              Scurf None  None  None
      Field
              Wilt None  None  5 plants/ac.
              Viruses None  None  10plants/ac.
              *Other Varieties None  None  None
      *Five plants current mutations allowed.

       

  5. SEED AND STORAGE STANDARDS
    1. Seed
      1. At least one storage inspection shall be made.
      2. Seed stock must conform to the minimum standards for U.S. No. 1 grade except that minimum size shall not be less than 3 inches in length and 1 1/4 inches in diameter, and shall not exceed 10 inches in length and 3 3/4 inches in diameter.*

        *Specific sizes of sweet potatoes in accordance with Federal Regulations shall be optional to grower and purchaser.

      3. Root Standards

        Maximum Permitted
        Factor Foundation Registered Certified
        Common Storage Rots None  None  None
        Blackrot None  None  None
        Scurf None  None  0.1%
        Wilt None  None  0.1%
        Internal Cork 5.0% 5.0% 5.0%
        Nematode* None  None  .5%
        Wireworm* 1.0% 2.0% 5.0%
        Sweet Potato Weevil None  None  None
        Other Varieties None  None  0.1%
        *Tolerance applied to severely infected roots.
    2. Storage
      1. Storage potatoes grown for certification shall be stored in new containers, or used containers that have been disinfected with an approved pesticide.
      2. Sweet potatoes must be stored in a facility that has been cleaned and disinfected.
      3. Each unit of sweet potatoes that passes field inspection shall be stored according to production unit and treated separately and distinctly at the time of storage inspection. Each crate shall be marked or labeled to correspond with the field unit that passed inspection.

27-1002. SMALL GRAIN CERTIFICATION STANDARDS

(WHEAT, OATS, BARLEY, RYE AND TRITICALE)

  1. APPLICATION OF GENERAL CERTIFICATION STANDARDS

    The General Certification Standards, Clemson University Regulations 27-190, are basic and applicable.

     

  2. LAND REQUIREMENTS

    A small grain crop shall be planted on land on which the last crop grown was of another crop kind other than small grains, or was planted with a class of certified seed of the same variety. A crop will not be eligible for certification if planted on land on which the same crop kind was grown the previous year unless the previous crop was grown from a class of certified seed of the same variety.

     

  3. FIELD INSPECTIONS

    A field inspection shall be made at such time factors affecting certification can best be evaluated.

     

  4. FIELD STANDARDS
    1. General
      1. Unit of Certification

        The unit of certification shall be a field, but a portion of a field may be approved provided the discarded portion can be harvested separately and is eliminated from certification.

         

      2. Isolation
        1. Wheat, Oats, Barley, Triticale

          A field shall be separated by a strip of ground adequate to prevent mechanical mixtures. The strip may be either mowed, uncropped or planted to some crop other than the kind being certified.

        2. Wheat for certification must be isolated from a field of rye by a distance of 660 ft.
        3. All barley and wheat fields for the production of all classes of certified seed must be isolated by a least 990 feet from other fields which contain smut in excess of the tolerance indicated in the specific field standards.
        4. Rye

          A field producing any class of certified seed must be isolated by at least 660 feet from rye fields of any other variety or fields of the same variety that do not meet the varietal purity requirements of the class of seed inspected and are of the same chromosome number. Isolation between diploid and tetraploid rye shall be at least 15 feet.

    2. Specific
      Foundation  Registered  Certified
      Other varieties (max.)   1:3000 1:2000 1:1000

      *Inseparable other crops (max.)

      		1:10,000 1:10,000 1:2000

      **Objectionable weeds (max.)

      		 None  None  None
      Loose and covered smut ---- 1:2000 1:1000

      *Inseparable other crops shall include crop plants, the seed of which cannot be thoroughly removed by the usual methods of cleaning. Rye in wheat and barley in oats are well known examples.
      **Objectionable weeds include all S.C. noxious weeds and others as designated by the Seed Certification Department.
  5. SEED STANDARDS

    Standards For Each Class
    Foundation Registered Certified
    Pure Seed (min)
            Wheat, Barley, Oats - 98.00% 98.00%
            Rye - 97.00%  97.00%
            Triticale -  96.00%  96.00%
    Inert Matter (max)
            Wheat, Barley, Oats - 2.00%  2.00%
            Rye -  3.00%  3.00%
            Triticale -  4.00%  4.00%
    *Common Weed Seeds (max) - 0.05% 0.05%
    **Objectionable Weed Seeds (max) None  None  None
    ***Other Crop Seeds (max)
            Other varieties same crop 1 seed/lb.  2 seeds/lb. 5 seeds/lb.
    ****Other small grains 1 seed/lb. 2 seeds/lb. 5 seeds/lb.
    Other kinds of crops 1 seed/lb. 2 seeds/lb. 5 seeds/lb.
    Germination (min)
            Barley, Oats, Wheat, Triticale - 85.00% 85.00%
            Rye - 75.00%  75.00%
    *****Diseases - -  -
    *For Common Weed Seeds a maximum of 20 per pound must not be exceeded in any class.
    **Objectionable weeds shall include all S.C. Noxious Weeds and others as designated by the Seed Certification Department.
    ***For Other Crop Seeds, no combination of components may exceed 2 per pound in Foundation, 5 per pound in Registered or 10 per pound in Certified.
    ****For rye in Other Small Grains, standards shall be, 0 for Foundation, 1 for Registered and 2 for Certified.
    *****If chemically controllable seed-borne diseases are noted upon field inspection or laboratory observation, seed treatment may be required.
  6. SIZE OF LOTS

    For the purpose of issuing certification labels or bulk sale certificates, standard maximum lot sizes for small grains shall be as follows:

    Barley 24,000 lbs. (500 bu.)
    Oats 32,000 lbs. (1000 bu.)
    Rye 28,000 lbs. (500 bu.)
    Triticale 24,000 lbs. (500 bu.)
    Wheat 30,000 lbs. (500 bu.)
  7. SIZE OF OFFICIAL SAMPLE

    A 2 lb. sample of small grains is required for official purity and germination tests by the S.C. State Department of Agriculture.

27-1003. SOYBEAN CERTIFICATION STANDARDS

  1. APPLICATION OF GENERAL CERTIFICATION STANDARDS

    The General Certification Standards, Clemson University Regulation 27-190, are basic and applicable.

     

  2. LAND REQUIREMENTS

    Soybeans shall be grown on land on which the previous crop was of another kind, or planted with a class of certified seed of the same variety or with a variety of a contrasting pubescence or hilum color.

  3. FIELD INSPECTION

    A field inspection shall be made after leaves have dropped and prior to harvest. For Foundation class, a flower color inspection shall also be made.

  4. FIELD STANDARDS
    1. General
      1. Unit of Certification

        The unit of certification shall be a field but a portion of a field may be approved provided the discarded portion can be harvested separately and is eliminated from certification.

      2. Isolation

        Fields of soybeans shall be separated from any other variety or uncertified seed of the same variety by a strip of ground not in soybeans and at least 5 feet wide.

    2. Specific

      Maximum Permitted-Ratio of Plants
      Foundation  Registered  Certified
      Other varieties  1:5000 1:3000 1:2000
      Weeds and other crops with inseparable seeds. Must be removed from field prior to harvest.
  5. SEED STANDARDS

    Standards for each class
    Factor  Foundation  Registered  Certified
    Pure Seed (min) N.S. 98.00% 98.00%
    Inert Matter (max) N.S. 2.00% 2.00%
    *Weed seeds (maximum) 0.03% 0.04% 0.05%

    **Objectionable weed seed (maximum)

    		 None  None  None

    Total other crop seeds (maximum)

    		 2/lb. 4/lb. 8/lb.
    ***Other varieties (max) 2/lb. 4/lb. 8/lb.
    ****Other kinds 1/lb. 1/lb. 2/lb.

    *****Germination and hard seed (minimum)

    		N.S. 80.00% 80.00%
    *Total weed seed shall not exceed 10 per pound.
    **Objectionable weeds shall be S.C. noxious weeds and others designated by the Seed Certification Department.
    ***Off-colored beans due to environmental factors shall not be considered other varieties. Other varieties shall be considered to include off-type seeds that can be differentiated form the variety that is being analyzed.
    ****Corn, sunflower seed, maximum: Foundation-N.S.; Registered-None; and Certified-1per pound; Cowpea Seed, Maximum: Foundation and Registered-None; Certified-1 per pound. The preceding cowpea standards apply for issuing certification labels. S.C. certified soybeans sampled by the S.C. Department of Agriculture (SCDA) or the Seed Certification Department after having been labeled must have the certification labels removed and all mention of certification eliminated on the bag if found containing any cowpeas in Foundation Seed, more than one cowpea per pound in Registered seed or more than two cowpeas per pound in Certified seed.
    *****Germination for edible varieties may be lowered to 70.00%.
    N.S.-No Standards
  6. SIZE OF LOTS

    For the purpose of issuing certification labels or bulk sale certificates the standard maximum lot size for soybeans shall be 30,000 lbs.

  7. SIZE OF OFFICIAL SAMPLE

    A 2 lb. sample of soybeans is required for official purity and germination tests by the S.C. Department of Agriculture. Note: If soybean seed are to be treated with a pesticide that coats or colors the seed, a sample of the untreated, conditioned seed must be submitted for the varietal purity analysis and a sample of the treated, conditioned seed must be submitted for the germination test.

27-1004. TOBACCO SEED (INCLUDING HYBRIDS) CERTIFICATION STANDARDS