The seed program focuses on consumer protection by monitoring and sampling agricultural and vegetable seeds throughout Indiana to guarantee truth in labeling. Through analysis, we ensure all guarantees on the label are accurate and meet the minimum requirements set by the Indiana State Seed Law. We publish an annual report of our results every year for transparency.
IC 15-15-1 - Indiana Seed Law
The Indiana Seed Law protects seed buyers and supports a fair marketplace by requiring seed products sold in Indiana to be properly labeled and meet quality standards.
The law:
- Requires businesses to follow seed labeling and reporting requirements.
- Establishes oversight for seed quality, testing, and distribution.
- Gives the Office of Indiana State Chemist authority to inspect and evaluate seed products.
- Provides enforcement tools to address noncompliance.
The law helps ensure farmers, businesses, and consumers can make informed decisions when purchasing seed.
View the full text of IC 15-15-1
IC 15-15-2 - Plant Growth Substances
Indiana’s Plant Growth Substances law regulates the sale and distribution of certain products used to promote plant growth. The law:
- Requires registration and approval before covered products are sold or distributed in Indiana.
- Requires businesses to provide accurate information about product contents and intended uses.
- Allows the State Chemist to review products and deny or cancel approval when claims are false or misleading.
- Provides authority for inspections, sampling, and enforcement.
The Office of Indiana State Chemist administers these requirements to support reliable plant growth products and protect users.
View the full text of IC 15-15-2
IC 15-15-5 - Indiana Seed Arbitration Council
Indiana’s Seed Arbitration Council law establishes a process to help resolve disputes involving seed quality and performance. The law:
- Creates a council that reviews certain seed-related complaints between buyers and sellers.
- Provides a process for investigating disputes before legal action may be pursued.
- Allows qualified members to evaluate seed issues and make findings based on available information.
- Supports fair resolution of disagreements involving seed products.
The Office of Indiana State Chemist oversees the program and supports the council’s role in promoting accountability and confidence within Indiana’s seed industry.
View the full text of IC 15-15-5
IC 15-15-7 - Inspections Under Seed Contracts
Indiana’s Inspections Under Seed Contracts law helps ensure that seed grown or produced under contract meets agreed-upon requirements and quality standards. The law:
- Allows inspections of seed production fields and related records under certain contracts.
- Establishes requirements for conducting inspections and reporting findings.
- Helps protect the interests of seed producers, contractors, and buyers.
- Gives the Office of Indiana State Chemist authority to oversee compliance and address violations.
The law supports accurate verification of contracted seed production and promotes fairness within Indiana’s seed industry.
View the full text of IC 15-15-7
360 IAC 1 - Indiana Seed Rules
The Indiana Seed Rules (360 IAC 1) detail the noxious weed seeds in Indiana.
- Identify the noxious weed seeds that are prohibited in seed sold or distributed in Indiana under IC 15-15-1-18:
- Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense).
- Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis).
- Johnson grass and Sorghum almum (Sorghum halepense).
- Perennial sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis).
- Quackgrass (Agropyron repens, Elymus repense).
- Wild garlic and Wild onion [Allium vineale (Wild garlic), Allium Canadense (Wild onion)].
- Identify the noxious weed seeds that are restricted - limited but not banned outright, under IC 15-15-1-20:
- Bitter wintercress (Barbarea vulgaris).
- Buckhorn (Plantago lanceolata).
- Cocklebur (Xanthium pensylvanicum).
- Corncockle (Agrostemma githago).
- Curled dock (Rumex crispus).
- Dodder (Cuscuta sp.).
- Eastern black nightshade (Solanum ptycanthum).
- Field peppergrass (Lepidium campestre).
- Giant foxtail (Setaria faberii).
- Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense).
- Mustard (Brassica arvensis).
- Oxeye daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum).
- Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense).
- Palmer Amaranth, Waterhemp, and any pigweed seed, or Amaranth seed (Amaranthus spp.).
This restriction does not apply to Amaranthus species that are sold as vegetable seed, edible grains for human consumption, or seed for ornamental landscape plants.
Federal Regulations:
- Federal Seed Act
- Minimum Germination Standards
- USDA Cooperative Agreement (pdf)
- USDA - Seed Regulatory & Testing Branch
Other Regulatory Agencies:
- AOSA - Association of Official Seed Analysts
- AASCO - Association of American Seed Control Officials
- AOSCA - Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies
More information:
- RUSSL - Recommended Uniform State Seed Law