Technical Notes:	190-PM-7	Date:	April 19, 2022
Subject:	ECS - Plant Materials Program - The Importance of Seed Quality for Natural Resource Conservation Practices

Purpose. To distribute technical note, Title 190, Plant Materials (PM), Technical Note 07, “The Importance of Seed Quality for Natural Resource Conservation Practices”.

Effective Date. Effective upon receipt.

Background. Seed quality is a complex issue encompassing broad concerns including vigor, dormancy mechanisms, pests, pathogens, genetic integrity, costs, and physical characteristics among others. The effectiveness of conservation practices with a plant component depends on choosing the right plants, using high quality seed and successfully establishing those plants.

Explanation. To ensure the highest probability of success of any vegetative conservation practice, it is important to evaluate and understand seed quality. This technical note provides some basic facts about seed quality, seed labels, and information about calculating pure live seed and seed certification. Appendix A in the attachment is a quick reference guide to seeding calculations with examples.

Distribution. This directive is available on the NRCS Electronic Directives System website at https://directives.sc.egov.usda.gov/.

Filing Instructions. The availability of this information is limited to electronic format. States are recommended to file this document or provide a link to it in their State Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG). If a paper copy is retained, file it sequentially within Title 190, Ecological Sciences, of the Technical Note binder.

Contact. For further information, please contact the Acting National Program Leader-Plant Materials, Ecological Sciences Division, by telephone at (971) 323-3297, or by email to heather.dial@usda.gov.


/s/ NOLLER HERBERT Deputy Chief for Science and Technology

Attachment