Standards of germination, analytical purity and content of seed of other plant species
16.—(1) The seed shall conform to the standards or other conditions as regards germination, analytical purity and the content of seeds of other plant species specified in the following table–
| Maximum content by number of seeds of other plant species in a sample of the weight specified in column 6 of paragraph 26(2) of Part II of Schedule 5 | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Species and category | Germination (% of pure seed) | Analytical purity (% by weight) | Other plant species (inc. seeds of the species specified in columns 8 to 15) | Other cereal species | All species other than cereals | Avena fatua, A. ludoviciana, A sterilis, Lolium temulentum | Agropyron repens; or Agrostemma githago; or Bromus sterilis; or Raphanus raphanistrum | Ergot (pieces) | ||||||||
| Min Std | HVS | Min Std | HVS | Min Std | HVS | Min Std | HVS | Min Std | HVS | Min Std | HVS | Min Std | HVS | Min Std | HVS | |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
(a) A second seed shall not be regarded as an impurity if a second sample of the same weight is free from any seeds of other cereals species. | ||||||||||||||||
(b) The presence of one seed of Avena fatua, A. ludoviciana, A. sterilis or Lolium temulentum in a sample of the prescribed weight shall not be regarded as an impurity where a second sample of the same weight is free from any seeds of these species. | ||||||||||||||||
(c) In the case of varieties of Avena sativa which are officially classified as of the “naked oat” type the minimum germination standard is 75% . In such a case the official label shall be endorsed “minimum germination capacity 75%”. | ||||||||||||||||
(d) In HVS Basic Seed the nil standard shall apply in respect of Agrostemma githago and Raphanus raphanistrum. | ||||||||||||||||
(e) For hybrids of rye. The presence of five ergots or fragments of ergot in a sample of seed of a hybrid of rye of the prescribed weight shall be deemed to be in conformity with required sample purity standards, where a second sample of the same weight contains not more than four ergots or fragments of ergot. | ||||||||||||||||
(f) In minimum standard seed, the standards shall apply in respect of Agrostemma githago and Raphanus raphanistrum only. | ||||||||||||||||
| Avena sativa, Hordeum vulgare | ||||||||||||||||
| Triticum aestivum, T. durum, T. spelta: | ||||||||||||||||
| – basic seed | 85 | 85 | 99 | 99 | 4 | 1 | 1 (a) | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0(b) | 0 | 1 (f) | 0 (d) | 1 | 0 |
| – certified seed | 85(c) | n/a | 98 | n/a | 10 | n/a | 7 | n/a | 7 | n/a | 0(b) | n/a | 3 (f) | n/a | 3 | n/a |
| – certified seed of the First generation | 85 (c) | 85 (c) | 98 | 99 | 10 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 0(b) | 0 | 3 (f) | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| – certified seed of the Second generation | 85 (c) | 85 (c) | 98 | 99 | 10 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 0(b) | 0 | 3 (f) | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Secale cereale | ||||||||||||||||
| – basic seed | 85 | n/a | 98 | n/a | 4 | n/a | 1 (a) | n/a | 3 | n/a | 0 (b) | n/a | 1 (f) | n/a | 1 | n/a |
| – certified seed | 85 | n/a | 98 | n/a | 10 | n/a | 7 | n/a | 7 | n/a | 0 (b) | n/a | 3 (f) | n/a | 3 (4(e)) | n/a |
| xTriticosecale | ||||||||||||||||
| – basic seed | 80 | n/a | 98 | n/a | 4 | n/a | 1 (a) | n/a | 3 | n/a | 0 (b) | n/a | 1 (f) | n/a | 1 | n/a |
| – certified seed | 80 | n/a | 98 | n/a | 10 | n/a | 7 | n/a | 7 | n/a | 0 (b) | n/a | 3 (f) | n/a | 3 | n/a |
| – certified seed of the First generation | 80 | n/a | 98 | n/a | 10 | n/a | 7 | n/a | 7 | n/a | 0 (b) | n/a | 3 (f) | n/a | 3 | n/a |
| – certified seed of the Second generation | 80 | n/a | 98 | n/a | 10 | n/a | 7 | n/a | 7 | n/a | 0 (b) | n/a | 3 (f) | n/a | 3 | n/a |
| Zea mays | ||||||||||||||||
| – All categories | 90 | n/a | 98 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
(2) Subject to sub paragraphs (3) and (4) it shall be determined, by way of a germination test, whether the seed attains the percentage of germination for the relevant level specified in columns 2 and 3 of the table set out in sub paragraph (1) for the appropriate category of seed.
(3) Sub paragraph (2) shall not apply to seed that has been subjected to a tetrazolium test carried out by the Scottish Ministers or a licensed seed testing station to establish the viability of the seed unless the result of the test casts doubt on whether it will satisfy the applicable germination standard set out in column 2 of the table set out in sub paragraph (1).
(4) Where a tetrazolium test is carried out on seed which does not comply with the Scottish Ministers' requirements for eligibility for tetrazolium testing or where the results of a tetrazolium test do not meet the standards set out in the Scottish Ministers' requirements in respect of such tests, the test will cast doubt on whether the seed will satisfy the applicable germination standards set out in column 2 or 3 of the table set out in sub-paragraph (1).