Md. Code Regs. 15.08.05.09

Current through Register Vol. 52, No. 1, January 10, 2025

Section 15.08.05.09 - Specific Minimum Seed Standards

A. The following minimum seed standards apply to component seed lots to be used in Maryland Interagency Certified Seed Mixtures:

(1) Seed Mixtures Used in the Production of Maryland Certified Turfgrass.

(a) Unless the component meets the standards outlined in COMAR 15.08.04.10A(1)(b), the applicant may not use the component in mixtures intended for the production of Maryland certified turfgrass.

(b) The Department shall place the statement "This mixture is eligible for Maryland Certified Sod Production" on the mixture's certification tag if the mixture also meets the seed cultivar and composition requirements as provided in COMAR 15.08.04.10A(1)(a)(ii).

(c) If the mixture is intended for Maryland certified sod production, the applicant shall inform the Department of this so that the Department may apply the proper standards.

(2) Components for All Other Mixtures. Unless the component complies with the standards outlined in the following chart, the applicant may not use it in a mixture the applicant intends to represent as a Maryland Interagency Certified Seed Mixture:

Maryland Interagency Certified Mixtures, General Specifications

Kind	Min Purity	Min Germ.	Max.* Other Crop Seed	Max.** Weed Seed	Lawn & Turf Noxious Weed***** Seed
Kentucky bluegrass	95%	85%	25%***	0.2%	None
Fine fescue****	98%	85%	0.25%	0.2%	None
Tall Fescue	98%	85%	0.25%	0.2%	None
Ryegrass	98%	85%	0.50%	0.2%	None
Bentgrass	98%	85%	0.25%	0.2%	None
All other components	90%	80%	0.50%	0.2%	None

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* Ryegrass (Lolium spp.) is not permitted, except that up to 50 ryegrass per pound is permitted in tall fescue.

** Is free of crabgrass (Digitaria spp.), foxtail (Setaria spp.), goosegrass (Eleusine indica), nimblewill (Muhlenbergia schreberi), nutsedge (Cyperus spp.), or panicum (Panicum spp.).

*** Off-types of Kentucky bluegrass may not exceed 3 percent for any one component.

**** Include hard, Chewings, and creeping red fescues.

***** See COMAR 15.08.01.05AA and C for list.

NOTE: Bentgrass, meadow fescue, redtop, rough bluegrass, and tall fescue may be permitted only when included as a labeled component of the seed mixture.

B. The Maryland State Highway Administration shall prescribe the minimum seed standards that apply to component seed lots to be used in supervised seed mixtures.

C. The Department, in an emergency, and after it has determined in writing that a serious shortage of seed exists, may allow the applicant to use seed lots that have failed for other than genetic reasons to meet the standards indicated in this regulation as interagency certified mixtures.

D. Except as provided in §B of this regulation, the applicant shall only use components that are certified seed.

Md. Code Regs. 15.08.05.09