Glossary Item

Purity is the percentage of actual seed of the species requested in the seed lot. It is expressed as a percent pure seed. Other seeds and inert matter are accounted for and expressed as a per cent of the seed lot that is not pure seed. The other seeds fraction will include the seeds of all other species present in the sample being analysed. The seeds will be identified as fully as possible, usually to species level but sometimes it is not possible to identify the seed beyond its genus. Inert matter comprises all of the extraneous matter in the sample and includes plant matter, soil, sand, stones, fungal bodies and all matter and structures not specifically classified as pure seed or other seed.