Table 13. Relative Life Expectancy of Vegetable Seeds Stored Under Favorable Conditions.
Vegetable Years Vegetable Years Asparagus 3
Leek 3
Bean 3
Lettuce 6
Beet 4
Muskmelon 5
Broccoli 3
Mustard 4
Brussels sprouts 4
New Zealand spinach 3
Cabbage 4
Okra 2
Carrot 3
Onion 1
Cauliflower 4
Parsley 1
Celeriac 3
Parsnip 1
Celery 3
Pea 3
Chard, Swiss 4
Pepper 2
Chicory 4
Pumpkin 4
Chinese cabbage 3
Radish 5
Collard 5
Rutabaga 4
Corn 2
Salsify 1
Cucumber 5
Southern pea 3
Dandelion 2
Spinach 2
Eggplant 4
Squash 4
Endive 5
Tomato 4
Kale 4
Turnip 4
Kohlrabi 3
Watermelon 4
STORAGE OF VEGETABLE SEEDS IN HERMETICALLY SEALED CONTAINERS
The 5-month normal limitation on the date of test shall not apply when:
- The seed was packaged within 9 months of harvest.
- The container does not allow water vapor penetration through any wall or seal greater than 0.05 grams of water per 100 square inches of surface at 100 degrees F with a relative humidity on one side of 90% and on the other side of 0%.
- The container is conspicuously labeled in not less than 8-point type that the container is hermetically sealed, that the seed has been preconditioned as to moisture content, and the calendar month and year in which the germination test was completed; not to exceed 24 months.
- The seed in the container does not exceed the percentage of moisture, on a wet weight basis, as listed below.
Vegetable Moisture (%) Vegetable Moisture (%) Bean, garden 7.0
Leek 6.5
Bean, Lima 7.0
Lettuce 5.5
Beet 7.5
Muskmelon 6.0
Broccoli 5.0
Mustard, India 5.0
Brussels sprouts 5.0
Onion 6.5
Cabbage 5.0
Onion, Welsh 6.5
Carrot 7.0
Parsley 6.5
Cauliflower 5.0
Parsnip 6.0
Celeriac 7.0
Pea 7.0
Celery 7.0
Pepper 4.5
Chard, Swiss 7.5
Pumpkin 6.0
Chinese Cabbage 5.0
Radish 5.0
Chive 6.5
Rutabaga 5.0
Collards 5.0
Spinach 8.0
Corn, Sweet 8.0
Squash 6.0
Cucumber 6.0
Tomato 5.5
Eggplant 6.0
Turnip 5.0
Kale 5.0
Watermelon 6.5
Kohlrabi 5.0
All others 6.0
Adapted from Federal Register, Vol. 59, No. 239, Wednesday, December 14, 1994. Rules and Regulations 64492.
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