Time Period for Germination Tests

005 Time Period for Germination Tests. 005.01 Native Plant species may be tested to determine the percentage of viability as indicated by a tetrazolium (TZ) test as set forth in the Nebraska Seed Law. 005.02 The only seeds of nonnative plant species which may be tested by a tetrazolium (TZ) test to determine the percentage of viability are those which exhibit deep dormancy and receive specific approval from the department to be tested in this manner. 005.03 For agricultural and vegetable seeds labeled, packaged, and sold in hermetically sealed containers, the limitation of date of test is extended. The germination test for agricultural and vegetable seeds labeled, packaged, and sold in hermetically sealed containers shall have been completed within a 36-month period exclusive of the calendar month in which the test was completed, if the following conditions are met: 005.03A The seed was packaged within nine months after harvest; 005.03B The container used does not allow water vapor penetration through any wall, including the seals, greater than 0.05 grams of water per 24 hours per 100 square inches of surface at 100 degrees F. with a relative humidity on one side of 90 percent and one the other side of 0.00 percent. Water vapor penetration or WVP is measured by the standards of the National Institute of Standards and Technology as: WVP = gm. H20/24 hr/100 sq. in/100°F/90% RH V.0% RH 005.03C The seed in the container used does not exceed the percentage of moisture, on a wet weight basis, as listed below: 005.03C(l) Agricultural Seeds. Kind Percent Beet, field 7.5 Beet, sugar 7.5 Bluegrass, Kentucky 6.0 Clover, crimson 8.0 Fescue, red 8.0 Ryegrass, annual 8.0 Ryegrass, perennial 8.0 All others 6.0 Mixtures of the above 8.0 005.03C(2) Vegetable Seeds. Kind Percent Bean, garden 7.0 Bean, lima 7.0 Beet 7.5 Broccoli 5.0 Brussell Sprouts 5.0 Cabbage 5.0 Carrot 7.0 Cauliflower 5.0 Celeriac 7.0 Celery 7.0 Chard, Swiss 7.5 Chinese Cabbage 5.0 Chives 6.5 Collards 5.0 Corn, sweet 8.0 Cucumber 6.0 Eggplant 6.0 Kale 5.0 Kohlrabi 5.0 Leek 6.5 Lettuce 5.5 Muskmelon 6.0 Mustard, India 5.0 Onion 6.5 Onion, Welsh 6.5 Parsley 6.5 Parsnip 6.0 Pea 7.0 Pepper 4.5 Pumpkin 6.0 Radish 5.0 Rutabaga 5.0 Spinach 8.0 Squash 6.0 Tomato 5.5 Turnip 5.0 Watermelon 6.5 All others 6.0 005.03D The container is conspicuously labeled in not less than eight-point type to indicate: 005.03D(l) That the seed is hermetically sealed; 005.03D(2) That the seed has been preconditioned as to moisture content; and 005.03D(3) The calendar month and year in which the germination test was completed as well as all labeling information required in the Nebraska Seed Law. 005.03E The percentage of germination of seed at the time of packaging was equal to or above the standards specified elsewhere in the law; 005.03F Adequate records are kept, giving the percent moisture of the seed at the time of packaging; and 005.03G Hermetically sealed seed is not repackaged and relabeled as hermetically sealed seed unless it meets all conditions for seeds packaged in hermetically sealed containers including 005.03A above.