Cal. Code Regs. tit. 3 § 3864

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 3864 - Seed in Hermetically Sealed Containers

The period of validity of germination tests is extended, as provided in Section 52481(c), Food and Agricultural Code, to the following period for seed packaged in hermetically sealed containers under conditions and label requirements set forth in this section:

(a) Germination Tests. The germination test for agricultural and vegetable seed shall have been completed within the following period, exclusive of the calendar month in which the test was completed, immediately prior to shipment, delivery, transportation, or sale:

(1) In the case of agricultural or vegetable seeds shipped, delivered, transported, or sold to a dealer for resale, 18 months;

(2) In the case of agricultural or vegetable seeds for sale or sold at retail, 36 months.

(b) Conditions of Packaging. The following conditions are considered as a minimum under the provisions of Section 52481(c), Food and Agricultural Code:

(1) A container, to be acceptable under the provisions of this section, shall not allow water vapor penetration through any wall, including the wall seals, greater than 0.05 gram of water per 24 hours per 100 square inches of surface at 100U F. with a relative humidity on one side of 90 percent and on the other of 0 percent. Water vapor penetration or WVP is measured by the standards of theU.S. Bureau of Standards as:

gm H2O/24 hr./100 sq. in./100U F./90% RH V. 0% RH

(2) The percentage of moisture, on a wet weight basis, of agricultural or vegetable seeds subject to the provisions of this section shall not exceed the following:

	Family		Kind	Maximum percent seed moisture

Graminae		Sweet corn..........................		..........................8.0
		Kentucky bluegrass..........................		..........................6.0
		Red fesue..........................		..........................8.0
		Perennial ryegrass..........................		..........................8.0
Liliaceae		Onion, leek, chive, welsh onion..........................		..........................6.5
Chenopodiaceae		Beet, chard..........................		..........................7.5
		Spinach..........................		..........................8.0
Cruciferae		Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, collards, Chinese cabbage, kale, turnip, rutabaga, kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts, mustard, radish..........................		..........................5.0
Leguminosae		Snap bean, lima bean, pea..........................		..........................7.0
		Crimson clover..........................		..........................8.0
Umbelliferae		Carrot, celery, celeriac..........................		..........................7.0
		Parsnip..........................		..........................6.0
		Parsley..........................		..........................6.5
Solanaceae		Tomato..........................		..........................5.5
		Pepper..........................		..........................4.5
		Eggplant..........................		..........................6.0
Cucurbitaceae		Cucumber, muskmelon, squash, pumpkin..........................		..........................6.0
		Watermelon..........................		..........................6.5
Compositae		Lettuce..........................		..........................5.5
		All other agricultural or vegetable seed not listed above..........................		..........................6.0

A tolerance of one (1.0) percent moisture is applicable to the maximum percentage of moisture listed above and the percentage of moisture found by an official test. The percentage of moisture shall be determined by the air oven method.

(c) Labeling Required. In addition to the labeling required by Sections 52452, 52453 or 52484, Food and Agricultural Code, seed packaged under the provisions of this section shall be conspicuously labeled with the following information:

(1) Seed has been preconditioned as to moisture content.

(2) Container is hermetically sealed. "Germination test valid until (month, year)" may be used on the label. (Not to exceed 36 months from date of test.)

Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 3, § 3864

1. Amendment filed 7-28-77 as organizational and procedural; effective upon filing (Register 77, No. 31). For prior history, see Register 66, No. 1.
2. Amendment of subsections (b) and (c) filed 3-24-83; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 8, No. 13).

Note: Authority cited: Sections 407 and 52331, Food and Agricultural Code. Reference: Section 52481, Food and Agricultural Code.