Comparison of Four Purity Testing Methods for Festuca brevipila R. Tracey and f ovina L.

Comparisons among the AOSA purity testing method for hard fescue (Festuca brevipila R. Tracey) and sheep fescue (F. ovina L.), and three other more efficient methods were made by the AOSA Purity Subcommittee. Percent pure seed, number and type of seed unit attachments, quantity of inert matter recovered from attachments, time required for inert recovery, and laboratory performance were examined. Two alternate methods produced nearly identical purity results to the AOSA Method, with reduced analysis time requirements and no significant differences.