Michigan Seed Law

Section 7a. of Act 329, the Michigan Seed Law (MCL 286.707a) states that:

Field bean seed produced east of a line dividing the central and mountain time zones and sold or offered for sale in Michigan, including seed offered for sale by its producer, shall be field inspected and laboratory tested for seed borne diseases which are determined by the director to be a threat to the bean industry. Those diseases include, but are not limited to:

• Common blight (Xanthomonas phaseoli)
• Fuscous blight (Xanthomonas phaseoli var. fuscans)
• Halo blight (Pseudomonas phaseolicola)
• Anthracnose (Colletotrichum lindemuthianum)

The field inspections and laboratory tests for disease approved by the director shall be at least equal to those field inspections and laboratory tests utilized for certified seed under Act No. 221 of the Public Acts of 1959, being sections 286.71 to 286.75 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, and rules promulgated under that act. In the case of field beans sold by variety name, the director may waive the requirement of inspection and analysis relative to a specific field bean disease if it is determined by the director that, through consultation with Michigan State University or other authorities recognized by the director, the variety is resistant to one or more specific field bean diseases. The director shall take enforcement action against any seed lots that he or she determines to be infected.

Field Inspection

Through an arrangement with the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development, Michigan Crop Improvement Association (MCIA) inspectors are officially authorized to conduct the field inspections required by the Seed Law. If you are growing field beans in Michigan and will be selling or offering those beans for sale in this state, the fields will need to be inspected by MCIA. Contact MCIA to schedule the necessary field inspections:

If you are in a state or province other than Michigan and located east of a line dividing the central and mountain time zones and planning to sell or offer for sale field beans in Michigan, you should contact your own state department of agriculture for information pertaining to the availability of field inspection services that will meet Michigan's requirements.

Dry Bean Testing

The Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development Laboratory performs the disease testing required for field beans. When submitting dry beans for blight, mosaic and/or anthracnose testing:

1. Sample size should be no less than 5 lbs.
2. One 5 lb. sample should be provided for each 25,000 lbs. of seed.
3. Blight, mosaic and anthracnose testing is performed between October 1 through March 30 only.

Note: Chemically treated seed will not be accepted for blight testing.

Dry Bean Seed Samples may be brought or mailed to the laboratory with the Dry Bean Seed Sample Analysis Request Form to:

Samples must be securely packaged to prevent damage during shipment. Payment may be made by check payable to the State of Michigan at the time of submission or after billing. For special tests or other information, please contact the laboratory at 517-284-0503.

Contact: