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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>79598</law_id><section_number>3.2-4000</section_number><catch_line>Definitions</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="3.2">Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="III">Production and Sale of Agricultural Products</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="40">Seeds</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="1">Seeds</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>As used in this chapter, unless the context requires another meaning:
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Advertisement</span>&#x201D; means any representation relating to seed within the scope of this article that is not also required <span class="dictionary">labeling</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Agricultural seed</span>&#x201D; means seeds of grass, forage, cereal, and fiber crops; any other seed commonly recognized as <span class="dictionary">agricultural seed</span>; and any lawn seed, turf seed, and <span class="dictionary">mixtures</span> thereof (including any noxious-<span class="dictionary">weed seeds</span> that may be present).
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Bag</span>&#x201D; or &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">packet</span>&#x201D; means a container in the form of a sack or pouch.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Blend</span>&#x201D; means a mechanical combination of varieties of the same <span class="dictionary">kind</span> that is identified by a <span class="dictionary">blend</span> designation and is always present in the same percentages in each <span class="dictionary">lot</span> so designated.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Brand</span>&#x201D; means the name, term, design, or trademark of seed offered for <span class="dictionary">sale</span>.
		&#x201C;Bulk&#x201D; or &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">in bulk</span>&#x201D; means loose seed in bins or other containers, but not <span class="dictionary">bags</span> or <span class="dictionary">packets</span>.
		&#x201C;Certified seed,&#x201D; &#x201C;registered seed,&#x201D; or &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">foundation seed</span>&#x201D; means seed produced and labeled in compliance with the procedures and requirements of an official certifying agency of a state, the United States, a province of Canada, or the government of a foreign country where the seed was produced.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Code designation</span>&#x201D; means an identification assigned by the U.S. <span class="dictionary">Department</span> of Agriculture.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Conditioning</span>&#x201D; means any process of cleaning, scarifying, treating, or blending seed that changes the purity or <span class="dictionary">germination</span> of the seed.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Controlled conditions</span>&#x201D; means minimum seed stock standards established by regulation.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Cool-season <span class="dictionary">lawn and turf seed</span></span>&#x201D; means the seed of any lawn and turf grass identified in the section of the most current Recommended Uniform State Seed <span class="dictionary">Law</span>, as established by the Association of American Seed Control Officials, pertaining to label requirements for agricultural, vegetable, and <span class="dictionary">flower seeds</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Distribute</span>&#x201D; means to import, consign, produce, mix, <span class="dictionary">blend</span>, condition, sell, offer for <span class="dictionary">sale</span>, barter, warehouse, or supply seeds in the Commonwealth.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Dormant seed</span>&#x201D; means viable seed other than <span class="dictionary">hard seed</span> that fails to germinate when provided the specified <span class="dictionary">germination</span> conditions.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Flower seed</span>&#x201D; means any seeds of herbaceous plants grown for their blooms, ornamental foliage, or other ornamental parts; any other seeds commonly recognized as <span class="dictionary">flower seeds</span>; and any seeds designated as <span class="dictionary">flower seeds</span> by regulations.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Germination</span>&#x201D; means the percentage, by count, of seeds under consideration capable of producing normal seedlings in a given period of time and under conditions specified by regulations.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Guarantor</span>&#x201D; means the person whose name appears on the label.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Hard seed</span>&#x201D; means seeds that do not absorb moisture and germinate, thus remaining hard during the period prescribed for <span class="dictionary">germination</span> by regulations.
		&#x201C;Hybrid&#x201D; means the first generation seed of a cross produced by controlling pollination or using sterile lines and combining: (i) two, three, or four <span class="dictionary">inbred lines</span>; (ii) one <span class="dictionary">inbred line</span>, or a single cross, with an open-pollinated variety; or (iii) two varieties or species, except open-pollinated varieties of corn.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Inbred line</span>&#x201D; means a relatively stable and pure breeding strain resulting from: (i) four or more successive generations of controlled self-pollination; or (ii) four successive generations of backcrossing male sterile lines.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Inert matter</span>&#x201D; means all matter not seeds and includes broken seeds, sterile florets, chaff, fungus bodies, and stones as determined by methods prescribed by regulations.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Kind</span>&#x201D; means related species or subspecies known by a common name including wheat, oats, hairy vetch, white sweet clover, cabbage, and cauliflower.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Labeling</span>&#x201D; means all labels, tags, and any other written, printed, or graphic statements or representations (including representations on invoices) in any form pertaining to any seed.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Lawn and turf seed</span>&#x201D; means seeds of grasses commonly recognized and sold for lawns or other areas where turf is grown for beautification or erosion control.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Lawn or turf seed mixture</span>&#x201D; means two or more <span class="dictionary">kinds</span> of <span class="dictionary">agricultural seeds</span> that are combined and sold for lawns or other areas where turf is grown for beautification or erosion control.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Lot</span>&#x201D; means a definite quantity of seed that is identified by a number or other identification and is uniform throughout for the factors appearing on the label.
		&#x201C;Mixture&#x201D; means seeds consisting of more than one <span class="dictionary">kind</span> or variety, when claimed or present, in excess of five percent of the whole.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Name of mixture</span>&#x201D; means the name or term designating a specific <span class="dictionary">lawn or turf seed mixture</span>.
		&#x201C;Noxious-<span class="dictionary">weed seed</span>&#x201D; means <span class="dictionary">prohibited noxious-<span class="dictionary">weed seeds</span></span> and restricted noxious <span class="dictionary">weed seeds</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Origin</span>&#x201D; means the state, territory, foreign country, or designated portion thereof, where the seed was grown.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Prohibited noxious-<span class="dictionary">weed seed</span></span>&#x201D; means seeds of weeds that are highly destructive and not controllable by common practices.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Pure seed</span>&#x201D; means agricultural or <span class="dictionary">vegetable seed</span> exclusive of <span class="dictionary">inert matter</span> and other seeds distinguishable from the <span class="dictionary">kind</span>, or <span class="dictionary">kind</span> and variety, being considered. <span class="dictionary">Pure seed</span> shall be determined by methods prescribed by regulations.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Quantity statement</span>&#x201D; means the net weight (mass), net volume (liquid or dry), count, or other form of measurement of a commodity.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Recognized variety name</span>&#x201D; and &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">recognized hybrid designation</span>&#x201D; mean the name or designation first assigned to the variety or hybrid by the person who developed and introduced it for production or <span class="dictionary">sale</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Registrant</span>&#x201D; means the person registering a <span class="dictionary">lawn or turf seed mixture</span> pursuant to this article.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Restricted noxious-<span class="dictionary">weed seed</span></span>&#x201D; means <span class="dictionary">weed seeds</span> that are very objectionable in fields, lawns, and gardens and are difficult to control by common practices.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Sale</span>&#x201D; means the transfer of ownership of seed as evidenced by the exchange of payment or seed, in whole or in part.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Screenings</span>&#x201D; means seed, <span class="dictionary">inert matter</span>, and other <span class="dictionary">materials</span> removed from <span class="dictionary">agricultural seed</span> or <span class="dictionary">vegetable seed</span> by cleaning or <span class="dictionary">conditioning</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Stop <span class="dictionary">sale</span>, use, removal, or seizure order</span>&#x201D; means an order that prohibits the distributor from selling, relocating, using, or disposing of seed until the <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> or the <span class="dictionary">court</span> gives written permission.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Tolerance</span>&#x201D; means the allowable deviation from any figure used on a label to designate the percentage of any fraction or rate of occurrence in the <span class="dictionary">lot</span> and is based on the <span class="dictionary">law</span> of normal variation from a mean.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Transgenetic</span>&#x201D; means any plant <span class="dictionary">material</span> or seed that has undergone the transfer of a gene from one genera to another.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Treated</span>&#x201D; means seed that has received an effective application of: (i) a generally approved substance; (ii) a process designed to control or repel certain disease organisms, insects, or other pests; or (iii) any other treatment to improve its planting value.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Tree and shrub seed</span>&#x201D; means seeds of woody plants commonly recognized as trees and shrubs and designated by regulations.
		&#x201C;Turf&#x201D; means the same as that term is defined in &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/3.2-3600/">3.2-3600</a>.
		&#x201C;Variety&#x201D; means a subdivision of a <span class="dictionary">kind</span> characterized by growth, plant, fruit, seed, or other characteristics that distinguish it from other plants of the same <span class="dictionary">kind</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Vegetable seed</span>&#x201D; means seeds of crops grown in gardens and on truck farms commonly recognized as <span class="dictionary">vegetable seed</span> and designated by regulations.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Weed seed</span>&#x201D; means seeds, bulblets, or tubers of plants commonly recognized as weeds, including noxious-<span class="dictionary">weed seeds</span>.</p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 3-219.2; 1958, c. 483; 1966, cc. 9, 702, &#xA7; 3.1-263; 1994, c. 577; 2008, c. 860; 2012, c. 297.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
