Region 5 Rice Seed Count Project 2019

2. Region 5 Rice Seed Count Project 2019 AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA v30MAY2019

3. Participants & Stat. Analysis* Total value of donated testing services was ~$6,500. CE Points awarded to participants.

4. Region 5 Rice Seed Count Project 2019

5. Region 5 Rice Seed Count Project 2019 “Cajun Double Cropping” Rice + Crawfish OR Rice + Rice

6. Seed Counter Types “Low Tech” “High Tech”

7. “Mid Tech” Seedburo 801 Count-A-Pak The Old Mill International Marketing Design Data Technologies Contador

8. Rice Seed Count – Current Practices

9. PURPOSE OF PROPOSAL 26: • Proposed as a “tentative” rule proposal to trial the use of new method and obtain more seed count data to determine most appropriate tolerance factor (We will discuss why “tentative” later.) • Add future rice mechanical seed count instructions to Section 12 of the AOSA Rules • Add future rice seed count tolerance factor to Section 14.9 Table 14P of the AOSA Rules NOTE: AOSA Rules currently have a mechanical seed count method and tolerance factor for soybeans, corn, wheat, and field beans.

10. Note: Tolerances used for comparing BOTH mechanical and non-mechanical seed count methods.

11. Rice Seed Count Project - Method • Project statistical design by Sabry Elias, PhD (OSU) and Riad Baalbaki, PhD (CDFA) • Labs selected based on experience conducting mechanical & non-mechanical seed counts • Labs were each sent 200 gr samples each of long grain, medium grain, and short grain commercial rice seed lots • Labs conducted a purity exam on all samples prior to conducting seed counts

12. Rice Seed Count Project - Method • Labs calibrated and verified the mechanical seed counter following the AOSA Rules Section 12.2 using a 1,000 rice seed calibration sample • Labs created and mechanically counted four 100gr replicates, four 50gr replicates, and four 25gr replicates of each of the three samples • Labs also conducted a non-mechanical count (i.e. hand count) on four replicates of 200 seeds for each of the three samples

13. Rice Seed Count Project - Findings • Based upon the data and statistical analysis, it was determined the tolerance factor would be 2.5% • After the referee was concluded, 50commercial seed lots with seed count claims were checked and the following compliance rates were determined, with various tolerances being applied • 2.5% tolerance = 58% out of tolerance • 3.0% tolerance = 46% out of tolerance • 4.0% tolerance = 24% out of tolerance • 5.0% tolerance = 12% out of tolerance

14. Rice Seed Count Project - Questions • Do commercial seed lots have a larger variation of seed sizes than what was found in the samples used for this referee? • Would a mechanical seed count provide a more accurate and consistent seed per pound determination since a larger sample size would be counted? • Other factors and variables to consider?

15. Rice Seed Count Project - Conclusions • The 2.5% tolerance factor appears to be too strict to be implemented • More mechanical seed count data needed from commercial seed lots with labeled seed count claims • More mechanical seed count referee testing with multiple labs and multiple commercial seed lots