The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

“Advertisement.” All representations other than those on the label, disseminated in any manner or by any means, relating to seed within the scope of this chapter.

“Agent,” “inspector” or “deputy.” Any person duly authorized or appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to act as the representative of the Department of Agriculture in carrying out any of the provisions of this chapter.

“Agricultural seeds.” The term includes the seeds of grass, forage, cereal, oil and fiber crops and any other kinds of seeds commonly recognized within this Commonwealth as agricultural seeds and mixtures of such seeds.

“Blend.” Seed consisting of more than one variety of a kind, each in excess of 5% by weight of the whole.

“Certified seed.” Any seeds, including seed potatoes, agricultural, vegetable and such other seeds and plants, which have been inspected and tested during their period of growth and conditioning by a recognized seed-certifying agency and found to conform to the requirements of the laws and regulations governing seed certification in this Commonwealth or any other state.

“Complete record.” Any and all records and required labeling information which relates to each lot of seed, including agricultural, vegetable, flower, tree or shrub seed, sold, distributed or stored in this Commonwealth. Such information includes seed samples and records of declarations, labels, purchases, sales, conditioning, bulking, treatment, handling, storage, analyses, tests and examinations.

“Conditioning.” The processing, cleaning, blending or other operations which would change the purity or germination of the seeds.

“Department.” The Department of Agriculture of the Commonwealth.

“Distribution.” The importing, consigning, offering for sale, selling, bartering or otherwise supplying seed in this Commonwealth.

“Distributor.” The person whose name appears on the label of seed.

“Flower seeds.” The term includes seeds of herbaceous plants grown for their blooms, ornamental foliage or other ornamental parts and commonly known and sold under the name of flower or wildflower seeds in this Commonwealth.

“Germination” or “germ.” The emergence and development from the seed embryo of those essential structures which, for the kind of seed in question, are indicative of the ability to produce a normal plant under favorable conditions.

“Hard seeds.” Seeds which remain hard at the end of the prescribed test period because they have not absorbed water due to an impermeable seed coat.

“Hybrid.” The first generation seed of a cross produced by controlling the pollination and by combining two or more inbred lines, one inbred or a single cross with an open-pollinated variety or two varieties or species, except open-pollinated varieties of corn. The second generation and subsequent generations from such crosses shall not be regarded as hybrids. Hybrid designations shall be treated as variety names. The term “cross” means the union of two varieties of the same species. The term “inbred line” means a relatively homozygous line produced by inbreeding and selection.

“Inert matter.” All matter not seed, which includes broken seeds, sterile florets, chaff, fungus bodies and stones as determined by methods defined by rule.

“Kind.” One or more related species or subspecies which singly or collectively are known by one common name, for example, corn, oats, alfalfa and timothy.

“Label.” The display of all written, printed or graphic matter upon the immediate container or a statement accompanying the seed.

“Labeling.” All written, printed or graphic matter upon or accompanying any seed or advertisements, brochures, posters or electronic media used in promoting the distribution of seed.

“Lot.” A definite quantity of seed identified by a lot number or mark, every portion or bag of which is uniform for the factors which appear in the labeling within permitted tolerances.

“Mixture,” “mixed” or “mix.” Seeds consisting of more than one kind when each is present in excess of 5% of the whole.

“Mulch.” A protective covering of any suitable substance placed with seed which acts to retain sufficient moisture to support seed germination and sustain early seedling growth and aid in the prevention of the evaporation of soil moisture, the control of weeds and the prevention of erosion.

“Other crop seed.” Seed of plants grown as crops, other than the kind or variety included in the pure seed, as determined by methods defined by rule.

“Person.” An individual, partnership, association, firm, corporation or any other legal entity.

“Prohibited noxious weed seeds.” The seeds of perennial weeds that reproduce by seed and also those that spread by underground roots, stems and other reproductive parts and which, when well established, are highly destructive and difficult to control in this Commonwealth by ordinary good cultural practice.

“Pure seed.” Seed exclusive of inert matter and all other seeds not of the seed being considered as determined by methods established by regulation.

“Record.” The term includes all information relating to the shipment or shipments involved and includes a file sample of each lot of seed.

“Relabeling sticker.” An adhesive sticker printed with the germination test date, lot number matching the lot number on the original label and a sell-by date, if required.

“Restricted noxious weed seeds.” The seeds of such weeds as are very objectionable in fields, lawns and gardens of this Commonwealth but can be controlled by good cultural practices.

“Secretary.” The Secretary of Agriculture of the Commonwealth or the secretary's designee.

“Seed potatoes.” The tubers of the Irish potato which are grown and intended to be used as seed.

“Stop-sale.” The term includes any written or printed notices given or issued by the Secretary of Agriculture or his agent to the owner or custodian of any lot of seeds in this Commonwealth directing such owner or custodian not to sell, offer or expose for sale or move such seeds within or out of this Commonwealth until the requirements of this chapter, and the regulations promulgated under authority of this chapter, shall have been complied with and a written release has been issued.

“Tolerance.” A permitted variation from the seed analysis stated on the label.

“Treated.” Seed that has received an application of a substance, or seed that has been subjected to a process, for which a claim is made.

“Tree and shrub seeds.” The term includes seeds of woody plants commonly known and sold as tree or shrub seeds in this Commonwealth.

“Type.” A group of varieties so nearly similar that the individual varieties cannot be clearly differentiated except under special conditions.

“Undesirable grass seeds.” Seeds of grass species declared to be restricted noxious weed seed when found in lawn and turf seed and mixtures and blends thereof.

“Variety.” A subdivision of a kind characterized by growth, yield, plant, fruit, seed or other characteristics by which it can be differentiated from other plants of the same kind.

“Vegetable seeds.” The term includes the seeds of those crops which are grown in gardens or on truck farms and are generally known and sold under the name of vegetable or herb seeds in this Commonwealth.

“Vegetatively propagated.” Sod pieces or the stolons or rhizomes of the creeping bent grass species (Agrostis palustris), or prenuclear seed potatoes, or tree or shrub plant parts intended for vegetative reproduction, or whole plants propagated vegetatively or grown from certified seed, or other crop species as may be designated by the Secretary of Agriculture.

“Weed seeds.” The term includes the seeds of all plants generally recognized as weeds within this Commonwealth and includes the prohibited and restricted noxious weed seeds.