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Summary of and Comments on the 1999 AOSA Rule Proposals as reviewed by Front Range Seed Analysts members on April 8, 1999

FRSA Members present at review: Richard Agnew, Carri-Ann Bard, Mike Bricker, James Bruce, Pat Conine, Mike Dideriksen, Joseph Guante Jr., Dr. Arnold L. Larsen, Mary McMahan, Marilyn Milhous, Annette Miller, Gil Waibel, and Dr. Loren Wiesner.

Proposal #1
     Addition to section 2.3 of determining the weight of that kind of seed by using ISTA Weight Determination Method, Appendix 4.
     Adoption would be a continuation of harmonization of testing methods between AOSA and ISTA.
     FRSA Comment: FRSA supports Proposal #1.  In the wording of Appendix 4 a question was raised regarding the statement ‘If the coefficient of variation does not exceed 6.0 for chaffy grass seed,…’.   With reference to chaffy grass seed only what is to be done with regards to other chaffy seed species, i.e. winterfat for example?

Proposal #2
     New Rule: Addition of 23 species to Table 1. Weights for working samples.
     Weights obtained using the ISTA seed weight determination method (Proposal #1) addition to section 2.3.
     FRSA Comment: FRSA supports Proposal #2.

Proposal #3
     To adjust the minimum weight of purity analysis for 24 tree species in Table 1. Weights for working samples, based on seed counts from 1980 to present date (August 1998, date of  proposal).
     FRSA Comment: FRSA supports Proposal #3.

Proposal #4
     Addition of Lespedeza thunbergii to Handbook 25, with a Species Classification of  ‘R’ and that the contaminating classification for this species be ‘C’ under the “R” category.
     FRSA Comment: FRSA supports Proposal #4.

Proposal #5
     Addition of Lespedeza virgata to Handbook 25, with a Species Classification of ‘R’ and that the contaminating classification for this species be ‘C’ under the “R” category.
     FRSA Comment: FRSA supports Proposal #5.

Proposal #6
     Addition of Aeschynomene americana to Handbook 25, with a Species Classification of ‘R’ and that the contaminating classification for this species be ‘C’ under the “R” category.
     FRSA Comment: FRSA supports Proposal #6.

Proposal #7
     Addition of Stenotaphrum secundatum to Handbook 25, with a Species Classification of ‘T’ and that the contaminating classification for this species be ‘C’ under the “A”, “R”, and “T” categories.
     FRSA Comment: FRSA supports Proposal #7.

Proposal #8
     Addition of revised procedures for Hesperostipa comata (needle-and-thread) to the Rules.

    FRSA Comment: FRSA is unable to support Proposal #8 as presently written.  Serious questions raised about the generalization of the statement ‘Seed treatment with fungicide may be beneficial for some seed lots.’.  FRSA members present at review felt that should fungal growth become extensive, as the authors noted in the evidence literature, reference should be made to section 4.5 Evaluation of seedlings, (a.) Seedlings infected with fungi or bacteria, in-lieu-of a generalized statement that fungicide may be beneficial for some seed lots.
      FRSA would support the proposal if the authors change the proposal as suggested (refer to section 4.5a for fungal growth).
     Another question was raised about the use of GA3 as a growth stimulate in general usage.  However, the consensus of FRSA members present agreed that the use of GA3 for testing Hesperostipa comata is in line with AOSA rules for testing seeds.  The use of GA3 for testing any species may be a topic of future discussion by AOSA and SCST members.

Proposal #9
     Addition of Ephedra nevadensis (Nevada ephedra) to the Rules.
    >Addition of species to 2.4, Table 1. Weights for working sample of agricultural, vegetable and herb, flower, and tree and shrub seeds.
    >Addition of species to 4.10, Table 3. Methods of testing for laboratory germination.
     FRSA Comment: FRSA supports Proposal #9.

Proposal #10
     Addition of Collinsia heterophylla (Chinese-house) and Consolida ajacis (annual Larkspur) to Table1. Weights for working samples.
Seed data obtained according to the ISTA seed weight determination method (1999 Rule Proposal #1).
     FRSA Comment: FRSA supports Proposal #10.

Proposal #11
     Change the minimum weight for purity analysis in Table 1 for Lactuca sativa from 3 grams to 2.5     grams.  Change the minimum weight for noxious weed seed or bulk examination in Table 1 for Lactuca sativa from 50 grams to 25 grams.
     FRSA Comment: FRSA supports Proposal #11.

Proposal #12
     >Addition of new section 2.6b(10)  Hardened involucre in Coix lacryma-jobi.
     >Addition of Coix lacryma-jobi (Job’s tears) to Section 2.7g(1) and Section 2.10a(9).
    Harmonization to ISTA Rules for the seed unit described in ISTA PSD 37.
     FRSA Comment: FRSA supports Proposal #12.

Proposal #13
     Rewording of Section 2.6e, from fruits and half fruits in the carrot family (Apiaceae); to schizocarps and mericarps in the Apiaceae and Tropaeolaceae;.
    Harmonization to ISTA Rules for the seed units as described in ISTA PSD 16.
     FRSA Comment: FRSA supports Proposal #13.

Proposal #14
     Addition of the family Nyctaginaceae to Section 2.6c, to cover the seed unit of Mirabilis jalapa (Nyctaginaceae) which consists of a one seeded, dry indehiscent fruit surrounded by a persistent and hardened calyx.
     Harmonization to ISTA Rules for the seed unit of Mirabilis jalapa as described in
ISTA PSD 1.
     FRSA Comment: FRSA supports Proposal #14.

Proposal #15
     Addition of sentence: True seeds with attached structures such as aril, caruncles, wings, except as specified in section 2.10a(6)., before the sentence: Refer to section 2.10a(6) for classification of tree and shrub fruit wings.
     These natural attachments are not usually removed during post harvest and are part of the seed unit common in the seed trade.  Removal of attachments is tedious and time consuming.
     Harmonization to ISTA Rules for seed units from families with attached structures as described in ISTA PSD 13 & 14.
     FRSA Comment: FRSA supports Proposal #15.

Proposal #16
     Addition to Table 1. Weights for working samples for Ocimum basilicum (basil).
Seed counts conducted following the ISTA 100 seed replicate method (1999 Rule Proposal #1).
     FRSA Comment: FRSA supports Proposal #16.

Proposal #17
     Addition to Table 1. Weights for working samples for Borago officinalis (borage).
Seed counts conducted following the ISTA 100 seed replicate method (1999 Rule Proposal #1).
     FRSA  Comment: FRSA supports Proposal #17.

Proposal #18
     Addition to Table 1. Weights for working samples for Anthriscus cerefolium (chervil).
Seed counts conducted following the ISTA 100 seed replicate method (1999 Rule Proposal #1).
     FRSA Comment: FRSA supports Proposal #18.

Proposal #19
     Addition to Table 1. Weights for working samples for Eruca sativa (roquette).
Seed counts conducted following the ISTA 100 seed replicate method (1999 Rule Proposal #1).
     FRSA Comment: FRSA supports Proposal #19.

Proposal #20
     Addition to Table 1. Weights for working samples for Coriandrum sativum (coriander).
Seed counts conducted following the ISTA 100 seed replicate method (1999 Rule Proposal #1).
     FRSA Comment: FRSA supports Proposal #20.  A question was raised as to whether the weight for working sample was based on a schizocarp or mericarp for the species.

Proposal #21
     Addition to Table 1. Weights for working samples for Origanum majorana (sweet marjoram).  Seed counts conducted following the ISTA 100 seed replicate method (1999 Rule Proposal #1).
     FRSA Comment: FRSA supports Proposal #21.

Proposal #22
     Addition of Achnatherum thurberianum (Thurber needlegrass) to Handbook 25, with a Species Classification of ‘R’ and that the contaminating classification for the species be ‘C’ under the “R” category.
    Species added to Rules for Testing Seeds in June of 1998, however was overlooked as being added to Handbook 25.
     FRSA Comment: FRSA supports Proposal #22.

Proposal #23
     Handbook 25 change: Reclassify Machaeranthera tanacetifolia (tansy aster, tahoka daisy) from ‘W’ to ‘C’ in the contaminating classification for “R”.
     Species a native wildflower in UT, NV, SD, NE, KS, TX, and Mexico. Recommend that species be considered an other crop when found as a contaminant in revegetation seed lots.
     FRSA Comment: FRSA supports Proposal #23.

Proposal #24
     Adding of subspecies and variety designations to Pisum sativum and creating new listing for each subspecies in Table 1. Weights for working samples, Table 3. Methods of testing for laboratory germination, and Handbook 25.
     Handbook 25 implies that the two common names for P. sativum are equal and interchangeable kind names, where-as in fact, field peas and garden peas are different and utilized for different purposes.
     FRSA Comment: FRSA supports Proposal #24.

Proposal #25
     Handbook 25 revision for Sanguisorba minor (small burnet), reclassification of species in contaminating classification to ‘C’ under “R” and the addition of little burnet as a common name.
     FRSA Comment: FRSA supports Proposal #25.

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