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Practiml Approaches for Effative E & 5 Control - 88 <br />number of seeds and rhizomes which then become esrabli:rhed as pan of the <br />mulching process. By this same principle, non native hmu and some srraw <br />materials can introduce undesirable plants by the same process. <br />G Percentage Germination <br />The effect of a BMP on the germination of seeds is relati~ to iu ability to. retain <br />moisture in the soil, moderate temptxature and provide tlhe optimum <br />environment for breaking the seed coat. Percentage germination can easily be <br />determined by consnvcting small test plots, 1' z 1', in the laboratory or fold, <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 seed selected is n~xessary. The following <br />general description of send quality and application rates is provided: <br />In grneral, most seed companies will assign a recommrnded rate of application <br />for the seeds they sell. When sced 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 l~ <br />reading the seed tag, which should contain the following information: <br />-Type of seed <br />- Where grown <br />- Lot a~ <br />-Net weight <br />- Purity (%) <br />- Crop (%) <br />-Inert material (%) <br />-Weed seed (%) <br />- Germination (4~) <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 true <br />cost of seed. PLS is determined by multiplying the germination % x the seed <br />purity % then dividing by 100. For example, if IOO lb.s of seed has a purity of <br />95% and a germination rate of 80 %, then the PLS is '16%: <br />r~ <br />L_J <br />O 1995 IECA <br />