Reading the Certificate of Analysis
What purity, germination, moisture, weed-seed and dodder actually mean — why they vary by crop and lot, and how to verify them before you import. Practical guidance, not legal advice.
For: first-time importers · QA teams · distributors
Purity is the percentage of the lot that is pure clover seed of the stated species (the rest being inert matter or other seeds). Germination is the percentage of seeds that sprout under test conditions. Moisture affects storage life; weed-seed and dodder (Cuscuta) counts matter for phytosanitary compliance. Kohenoor's export minimums are 99% purity and 85% germination, dodder-free — with exact figures stated per lot on the Certificate of Analysis.
| Metric | What it means | Kohenoor standard |
|---|---|---|
| Purity | % pure clover seed of stated species | 99% min |
| Germination | % of seeds that sprout in test | 85% min |
| Moisture | Affects storage & shelf life | Within export norms (per lot) |
| Weed seed | Foreign weed seeds present | Screened & graded |
| Dodder (Cuscuta) | Parasitic weed — often restricted | Dodder-free |
Clover seed is an agricultural product, so purity, germination and moisture vary by crop year and lot. That's why responsible exporters state actual per-lot figures rather than fixed blanket claims.
Before confirming an order, always request the lot-specific Certificate of Analysis and, ideally, a current-crop sample and photo. Check that purity, germination and dodder status meet your market's requirements.
Confirm your destination country's phytosanitary limits (especially for dodder) before import — see our import guide and quality & export page.
Send your species, quantity and destination port — we reply with a live FOB/CNF quote and the current-crop Certificate of Analysis.