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' • Practical Approa~ for Eliative E &. S Cogwl - 88 <br />t number of seeds and rhizomes which then become established as parr of the <br />mulching process. By this same principle, non native hays and some straw <br />materials can introduce undesirable planrs by the same process. <br />G Percentage Germination <br />The effect of a BMP on the germination of seeds is related to its ability to retain <br />' moisture in the soil, moderate temperature and provide the optimum <br />environment for breaking the seed coat. Percentage germination can easily be <br />' determined by constructing small test plots, 1' x 1', in the laboratory or field, <br />disbursing the same number of seeds on a bare soil, control plot as on the BMP <br />treated plot and measuring the differences in germination over a set period of <br />' time. <br />Some information about quality of the served selected is necessary. The following <br />' general description of seed quality and application rates is provided: <br />' In general, most seed companies will assign a recommended rate of application <br /> for the seeds they sell. When seed is broadcast and lies on the soil surface <br /> instead of being covered,(as in the drilling process) the rate of application is <br />' usually doubled. However, it is important to establish the quality of the seed by <br /> reading the seed tag, which should contain the following information: <br />' <br /> -Type of seed <br /> -Where grown <br />' -Loth <br /> - Net weight <br /> -Parity (%> <br />' -Crop (%) <br /> - Inert material (%) <br />' -Weed seed (%) <br /> - Germination (%) <br /> -When tested <br />' -Noxious weeds per lb. <br />The quality of seed and thereby the rate of application is quite easily established <br />' by determining PLS, or Pure Live Seed. PLS is also used to determine the we <br />cost of seed. PLS is determined by multiplying the germination % x the seed <br />purity % then dividing by 100. For example, if 1001bs of seed has a purity of <br />95% and a germination me of 80 %, then the PLS is 76%: <br />1 <br />' O 1995 IECA <br />