| A plant is no better than the seed from which it | | | | seedlings. Some of the organisms can be spotted by |
| comes! Although this garden truism has probably been | | | | direct microscopic examination. Others are detected |
| known since man first began to cultivate plants, laws | | | | by special isolation techniques in which the seeds are |
| to protect farmers and gardeners against the sale of | | | | placed on special growth medium in the laboratory, and |
| inferior or worthless seed are of recent origin. | | | | the parasitic organisms then grow out of the seed |
| Most states now have rules and regulations pertaining | | | | onto the special food. But it can be avoided by treating |
| to the labeling and sale of seeds. They also maintain | | | | the parasitic organism just like in lawn fungus |
| seed-testing laboratories, the function of which is to | | | | treatment. |
| determine whether the seeds meet these | | | | Genetic purity is probably the most difficult factor to |
| requirements. Such laboratories conduct routine tests | | | | ascertain. Such methods as the use of ultraviolet light. |
| according to a strict set of official rules and can quickly | | | | disease-resistance tests of seedlings, and special field |
| uncover violations. | | | | tests are used to determine this quality. Seed testing in |
| Reliable seedsmen always aim to produce and | | | | America is on an unusually high plane. All official testing |
| distribute seeds of high quality at a reasonable cost to | | | | laboratories in this country are members of the |
| the consumer. The larger seed concerns have their | | | | Association of Official Seed Analysts. This association |
| own seed technologists to help further this objective. | | | | has a strict code to which all members must adhere. |
| Four factors are known to affect seed quality: | | | | Its methods and rules for seed testing are revised |
| mechanical purity, percentage of germination, presence | | | | continuously to keep pace with new developments. |
| of disease and genetic purity. Mechanical purity refers | | | | Such rules cannot remain static because new varieties |
| to the percentages of pure seed, inert matter and | | | | of plants are constantly being introduced and |
| weed seed. Obviously the packet must consist almost | | | | consequently new methods for analyzing and testing |
| entirely of the kind of seed printed on the label. The | | | | their seeds must be devised. |
| presence of more than a trace of inert matter not only | | | | There also is a Society of Commercial Seed |
| suggests that the seed has been improperly cleaned | | | | Technologists whose membership is restricted to |
| but also that such matter may carry insect pests or | | | | technologists presently employed in a seed firm or an |
| parasitic microorganisms. | | | | independent commercial seed laboratory. |
| The percentage of germination is extremely important | | | | Finally there is an international seed-testing association |
| because it indicates the number of seeds that can be | | | | to which most of the free nations of the world belong. |
| expected to produce normal plants under favorable | | | | Its members meet every three years to set up |
| conditions. | | | | methods and rules for the testing of seeds that are |
| Disease organisms present on seeds are undesirable | | | | exchanged among member nations. |
| because they may cause blights or rots of the | | | | |