95 



of inflation. Table 2 demonstrates the price structure of 

 various classes of seed. Hybrid seed is most expensive, although 

 new varieties, disease resistant varieties, and other types of 

 value-added, or specialty seed are also expensive. Older 

 varieties are generally unprotected by PVPA and tend to be least 

 expensive. Seeds of varieties protected by PVPA are often 

 intermediate in price. By preventing brown-bagging, it is 

 thought that S. 1406 will allow breeders to recover their 

 investment costs over a longer period of time, thus lowering the 

 price of protected seed compared to its current price structure. 



Table 1. 1970 to 1990 Average Seed Prices of Selected Crops 1/ 



Crop 



Beans, Green 

 Cantaloupes, Hybrids 

 Cantaloupes, Others 

 Cucumber, Hybrids 

 Cucumber, Others 

 Lettuce, Head 

 Lettuce, Leaf 

 Lettuce, Romaine 

 Peas 



Peppers, Hybrids 

 Peppers, Others 

 Tomato, Hybrids 

 Tomato, Others 

 Watermelon, Hybrids 

 Watermelon, Others 

 Marigold 

 Zinnia 



1/ Source: 1970 and 1990 Burpee Commercial Seed Catalogues. 



2/ Reported in 1970 dollars, where purchasing power of 1970$ is 

 3.36 times that of 1990$. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) 



(SEE TABLE 2 ON FOLLOWING PAGE) 



