Seed Certification Standards in California

BERMUDAGRASS

Cynodon dactylon

GENERAL STANDARDS -- The standards on this sheet are in part condensed and apply to Bermudagrass. For greater detail and additional provisions, see the General Standards.

PLANTING STOCK -- In most varieties Breeder seed must be planted to produce Foundation seed and Foundation seed must be planted to produce Certified seed. There is no Registered bermudagrass seed production in California.

APPLICATION -- Application forms are available at the county Farm Advisor's office or from CCIA. Applications should be filled out and submitted to the Farm Advisor's office or directly to the CCIA office as soon as possible after planting and no later than eight (8) weeks after planting. A renewal application form should be used after the first year and should be submitted not later than March 1. Application must be made each year, whether seed production is intended that year or not, if certification is apt to be desired in a later year.

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FIELD ELIGIBILITY -- Fields eligible for the production of Foundation seed must not have grown or been seeded to the same species during the previous five (5) years and must have included a cultivated crop for three (3) years. Fields eligible for the production of Certified seed must not have grown or been seeded to the same species during the previous three (3) years and must have included a cultivated crop for two (2) years unless the crop was the same variety and passed field inspection for certification. All fields or portions of fields intended for certification must have a definite boundary such as a fence, ditch, roadway, levee, or barren strip at least ten (10) feet wide.

ISOLATION -- Fields or portions of fields for certification must be isolated from bermudagrass other than the same variety as follows: The isolation for Foundation Seed production shall be 900 feet. Isolation requirements for the Certified class are based on the size of the Certified field and the percentage of the field within 165 feet of another variety of bermudagrass. If ten percent (10%) or less of the Certified field is within the 165-foot isolation zone, no isolation is required--only a definite separation. If more than ten percent (10%) of the field is within the isolation zone that part of the field must not be harvested as Certified seed.

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The isolation strip may contain bermudagrass, but if so, it must be the same variety planted with seed eligible to produce certified seed. The strip may be mowed for hay or produce uncertified seed. All isolation strips must have a definite, clearly visible boundary setting off that portion.

FIELD INSPECTION -- Each field intended for certification must be inspected prior to harvest. At least one inspection shall be made preferably during the mid-bloom stage and, in some cases, earlier and later inspections may be made.

Off-types -- Every field should be rogued to remove any plants of another crop or variety, including volunteers. Varieties cannot always be differentiated at field inspection. When differences can be distinguished, the maximum mixture of other varieties, established volunteers, and inseparable other crops permitted is as follows:

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Weeds --Fields must be free of any prohibited noxious weeds. Restricted noxious weeds, and common weeds difficult to separate must be controlled.

Fields may be refused certification due to unsatisfactory appearance caused by weeds, poor growth, poor stand, disease, insect damage, and any other condition which prevents accurate inspection or creates doubt as to identity of the variety.

A field inspection report will be sent to the applicant. If the field is approved, a certification number will be assigned. This number must be on all containers of seed before they leave the field. It is the responsibility of the applicant to make sure his field has been inspected before it is harvested.

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HARVESTING -- Harvesting is subject to the supervision of the County Agricultural Commissioner who must be contacted prior to harvest. Any seed moved out of the county for conditioning must be accompanied by an Intercounty or Interstate Permit issued by the Commissioner.

CONDITIONING AND SAMPLING -- Conditioning of seed for certification may be done only in facilities approved for this purpose by the California Crop Improvement Association. It is the responsibility of the applicant to determine if the plant is eligible before delivering seed for conditioning. Conditioning, sampling, reconditioning, and blending must be supervised by the County Agricultural Commissioner. Conditioning equipment must be free from contaminating seed to the satisfaction of the supervising inspector.

SEED INSPECTION - All seed must be sampled and tested after conditioning and the seed lot must meet or exceed seed certification standards for that crop. A seed lab using the Association of Official Seed Analyst “Rules for Testing” must test the sample. A Registered Seed Technologist must sign each lab analysis. In addition to AOSA rules, specific seed testing may be required to meet CCIA seed certification standards.

The sample size for a lot of certified Bermuda Grass is fifteen (15) grams. In some instances, varietal identity cannot be determined by visual seed inspections. Seed must be well screened and graded, bright in color, of good appearance and meet the following standards:

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FINAL CERTIFICATION AND TAGGING -- If the seed sample meets all standards a seed inspection report is issued. Before certification is complete, however, each container must have an official tag or label attached. Certified seed may be sold to a grower in bulk without tagging if a properly filled out Bulk Sale Certificate accompanies the shipment. The tags and Bulk Sale Certificates are issued by the California Crop Improvement Association to the County Agricultural Commissioner who supervises their attachment.

bermuda Sept 2003

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