ASTM D5539-94(2008)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D5539 −94(Reapproved 2008)
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 3.2 Function—A seed starter media provides a seed (seed-
ling) with four basic needs:
1.1 This specification covers the material characteristics,
3.2.1 Aeration to permit an exchange of gases between the
physical requirements, and sampling appropriate to the desig-
emerging roots and the surrounding medium,
nation of a soil or soil-like material for seed starting purposes.
3.2.2 Adequate seed (seedling) to starter media contact to
This would consist of the duration of germination ending after
permit water to flow to the seed and seedling root. This
the cotyledon stage (at the opening of the first true leaves).
function also relates to the media having a sufficient amount of
1.2 Seed starter mix may include natural soils and artificial
water retention to maintain the amount of moisture needed for
mixtures of natural or artificial materials used for the initial
plant use,
germination of seeds to the cotyledon stage.
3.2.3 Asurface that does not inhibit emergence. This relates
to the media’s ability to resist surface crusting, and
2. Referenced Documents
3.2.4 A bulk density that does not inhibit root elongation
2.1 ASTM Standards: and proliferation.
C330 Specification for Lightweight Aggregates for Struc-
3.3 Material—Whileonematerialmaybeabletoprovideall
tural Concrete
of the needs of a seed (seedling), a mixture of varying
C331 Specification for LightweightAggregates for Concrete
percentage of at least two of these materials has been found in
Masonry Units
practice to yield more consistent results over a wide range of
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
management practices. Therefore, seed starters are generally
Fluids
mixtures of materials. The following is a list of materials that
D2607 Classification of Peats, Mosses, Humus, and Related
have been used as or in seed starter mixes:
Products (Withdrawn 1990)
3.3.1 Vermiculite—This is a natural mineral that has been
D4531 Test Methods for Bulk Density of Peat and Peat
treated with heat until it becomes porous. This material has the
Products
ability to hold a significant amount of water and still allow for
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
excellent drainage. However, it does not provide for good
Sieves
seed-media contact.
3.3.2 Sphagnum Peat Moss—This is a natural accumulation
3. Material and Manufacture
of plant material decayed and decaying under anaerobic
conditions, and meeting the specifications outlined in Classi-
3.1 The success of a seed starter mix is measured in its
fication D2607. Industry-wide, this seems to be the one
ability to provide a germinating seed with certain basic needs,
that are outlined as follows.Avariety of materials, both natural material that has no substitute.
3.3.3 Perlite—This is a volcanic ash that looks like small
and artificial, can be employed to provide the characteristics
that will fill the need. beads of plastic. Similar to vermiculite, it holds less water but
provides more seed-media contact.
3.3.4 CoarseSand—This is mineral soil material that passes
through a No. 10 sieve but is retained on a No. 40 sieve. It
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil
provides good drainage and maintains friability.
and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.22 on Soil as a
Medium for Plant Growth.
3.3.5 Expanded Shale, Clay, or Slate— These are engi-
Current edition approved July 1, 2008. Published July 2008. Originally approved
neered materials that are structural grade, inert, porous light-
in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D5539 – 94 (2003). DOI:
weight aggregates with properties meeting the requirements of
10.1520/D5539-94R08.
Specification C330 and C331. Because of their particle
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
strength these aggregates do not consolidate after initial
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
compaction and are thus free draining.
the ASTM website.
3.3.6 Peat Humus and Other Peat Products— This material
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. is more highly decomposed than the sphagnum variety. It
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D5539−94 (2008)
meets the specifications outlined in Classification D2607. 10 % of the total salt concentration. Conductivity measure-
While it may be used in the mix
...