ASTM D5539-94(2013)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:D5539 −94(Reapproved 2013)
Standard Specification for
Seed Starter Mix
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5539; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope that are outlined as follows.Avariety of materials, both natural
and artificial, can be employed to provide the characteristics
1.1 This specification covers the material characteristics,
that will fill the need.
physical requirements, and sampling appropriate to the desig-
nation of a soil or soil-like material for seed starting purposes.
4.2 Function—A seed starter media provides a seed (seed-
This would consist of the duration of germination ending after
ling) with four basic needs:
the cotyledon stage (at the opening of the first true leaves).
4.2.1 Aeration to permit an exchange of gases between the
emerging roots and the surrounding medium,
1.2 Seed starter mix may include natural soils and artificial
4.2.2 Adequate seed (seedling) to starter media contact to
mixtures of natural or artificial materials used for the initial
permit water to flow to the seed and seedling root. This
germination of seeds to the cotyledon stage.
function also relates to the media having a sufficient amount of
2. Referenced Documents
water retention to maintain the amount of moisture needed for
2 plant use,
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.2.3 Asurface that does not inhibit emergence. This relates
C330 Specification for Lightweight Aggregates for Struc-
to the media’s ability to resist surface crusting, and
tural Concrete
4.2.4 A bulk density that does not inhibit root elongation
C331 Specification for LightweightAggregates for Concrete
and proliferation.
Masonry Units
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
4.3 Material—Whileonematerialmaybeabletoprovideall
Fluids
of the needs of a seed (seedling), a mixture of varying
D2607 Classification of Peats, Mosses, Humus, and Related
percentage of at least two of these materials has been found in
Products (Withdrawn 1990)
practice to yield more consistent results over a wide range of
D4531 Test Methods for Bulk Density of Peat and Peat
management practices. Therefore, seed starters are generally
Products
mixtures of materials. The following is a list of materials that
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
have been used as or in seed starter mixes:
Sieves
4.3.1 Vermiculite—This is a natural mineral that has been
treated with heat until it becomes porous. This material has the
3. Terminology
ability to hold a significant amount of water and still allow for
3.1 Definitions—Fordefinitionsoftermsinthistestmethod,
excellent drainage. However, it does not provide for good
refer to Terminology D653.
seed-media contact.
4.3.2 Sphagnum Peat Moss—This is a natural accumulation
4. Material and Manufacture
of plant material decayed and decaying under anaerobic
4.1 The success of a seed starter mix is measured in its conditions, and meeting the specifications outlined in Classi-
ability to provide a germinating seed with certain basic needs,
fication D2607. Industry-wide, this seems to be the one
material that has no substitute.
4.3.3 Perlite—This is a volcanic ash that looks like small
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil
beads of plastic. Similar to vermiculite, it holds less water but
and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.22 on Soil as a
provides more seed-media contact.
Medium for Plant Growth.
Current edition approved Jan. 15, 2013. Published February 2013. Originally
4.3.4 Coarse Sand—This is mineral soil material that passes
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D5539 – 94 (2008).
through a No. 10 sieve but is retained on a No. 40 sieve
DOI: 10.1520/D5539-94R13.
(Specification E11). It provides good drainage and maintains
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
friability.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
4.3.5 Expanded Shale, Clay, or Slate— These are engi-
the ASTM website.
neered materials that are structural grade, inert, porous light-
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. weight aggregates with properties meeting the requirements of
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D5539−94 (2013)
Specification C330 and C331. Because of their particle attributable to sodium (Na) or chloride (Cl) must not exceed
strength these aggregates do not consolidate after initial 10 % of the total salt concentration. Conductivity measure-
compaction and are thus free draining. ments are made by method 10-3.3 in Agronomy No. 9, Part 2.
4.3.6 Peat Humus and Ot
...