What is the percent pure live seed (PLS) for a fescue seed with a germination rate of 80% and purity of 90%?

To calculate the percent pure live seed (PLS), you need to use the formula:

[ \text{PLS} = \text{Purity} \times \text{Germination Rate} ]

where purity is expressed as a decimal and the germination rate is also a decimal.

In this case, the purity of the fescue seed is 90%, which converts to a decimal as 0.90. The germination rate is 80%, or 0.80 in decimal form. You then multiply these two values:

[ \text{PLS} = 0.90 \times 0.80 = 0.72 ]

To express this as a percentage, you simply multiply by 100:

[ 0.72 \times 100 = 72% ]

Therefore, the percent pure live seed for the fescue seed with a germination rate of 80% and purity of 90% is indeed 72%. This calculation is crucial for agronomists and farmers as it informs them about the actual viability of the seed for planting. Understanding the concepts of germination and purity is essential in determining the effectiveness and potential yield of the crop.