NAC587.020. Hermetically sealed containers.

The following standards govern the sale of hermetically sealed containers:

     1. The seed must be packaged within 9 months after harvest.

     2. The container must not allow penetration of water vapor through any wall, including the seals, greater than 0.05 grams of water per 24 hours per 100 square inches of surface at 100° Fahrenheit with a relative humidity on one side of 90 percent and on the other side of 0 percent. Penetration of water vapor is as defined by the U.S. Bureau of Standards as:

    

               gm. H₂0/24 hr./100 sq. in./100° F/90% RH V.0% RH.

     3. The seed in the container must not exceed the percentage of moisture, on the basis of wet weight, as follows:

Agricultural Seeds	Percentage                   of Moisture
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

Seeds of Vegetables	Percentage                   of Moisture
Bean, garden	7.0
Bean, lima	7.0
Beet	7.5
Broccoli	5.0
Brussels sprouts	5.0
Cabbage	5.0
Cabbage, Chinese	5.0
Cauliflower	5.0
Celeriac	7.0
Celery	7.0
Chard, Swiss	7.5
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

     4. The container must be conspicuously labeled in not less than 8-point type to indicate the month and year of the test for germination, that the container is hermetically sealed and that the seed has been preconditioned as to moisture contained in the seed.

     5. The percentage of germination of seeds of vegetables at the time of packaging must be equal to or above the standards in NAC 587.120.

     [Dep’t of Agriculture, No. 87.04, eff. 8-1-71]—(NAC A 3-17-86)