Session: Seed Production
Wednesday 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Ballroom 2
John Englert & Jim Briggs, Moderators
1:30 p.m.
Investigations of wetland seed establishment
Derek Tilley
Presentation (PDF)
Wetland plants are difficult to establish in field settings by seeding. The direct seeding of sedges and rushes for wetland establishment or restoration has been largely unsuccessful, and this has mostly been attributed to the unique requirements necessary for germination; namely adequate sunlight, heat and moisture. These three conditions can be difficult to meet in field settings using typical direct seeding practices. For this reason many restoration specialists use greenhouse grown transplants to establish wetland species in the field. This practice has been proven to be far more effective than direct seeding yet is time consuming and expensive. Wetland seed is in high demand on the commercial market, however the cost to produce seed in agricultural settings results in high retail costs. Seed production fields of wetland species are often planted with greenhouse grown transplants. The production expenses are then passed down to the consumer. Since 2004, the Aberdeen Plant Materials Center has been investigating techniques to meet seed germination requirements of wetland seed in field settings in order to reduce cost and effort required for adequate establishment.
A Range Conservationist at the Aberdeen Plant Materials Center in Aberdeen, ID, Derek Tilley graduated with a Master’s degree in Plant Taxonomy from Brigham Young University in 2001. After graduation he worked for the National Park Service as a Fire Effects Monitor for Dinosaur National Monument. Following his term in Dinosaur, Derek worked for two years at the University of Idaho Research and Extension Center in Parma, Idaho as a Scientific Aide in the Weed Science program conducting herbicide trials. In 2004 Derek began work with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Plant Materials Center in Aberdeen, Idaho. His research interests are plant materials development for Intermountain West rangeland plant communities and restoration of riparian and wetland habitats.
2:00 p.m.
Herbicide Effects on Seed Production of Native Wildflowers
Susan R. Winslow
Presentation (PDF)
The control of broadleaf weeds is critical in successful establishment and growth of wildflower seed production fields. The traditional approach of hand weeding and mechanical cultivation to reduce resource competition is time consuming and expensive. There are few herbicides labeled for weed control in wildflowers due to a lack of information on the impacts to seed production and stand longevity. A two-phase field study was initiated to examine the effect of pre-and post-emergence herbicide treatments on six native wildflowers. Results in the first phase of six pre-emergence treatments show broadleaf weeds were best controlled in Dalea candida, Liatris punctata, and Penstemon eriantherus with pendimethalin, and in Phacelia hastata with prodiamine. Results were inconclusive for Gaillardia aristata and Ratibida columnifera. The lowest weed densities in the second phase of six post-emergence herbicide treatments were imazapic in Dalea candida, pendimethalin in Gaillardia aristata, linuron in Liatris punctata, and S-metolachlor in Ratibida columnifera. Results were inconclusive for Penstemon eriantherus and Phacelia hastata. For the most part, wildflower densities were not significantly different among treatments, with the exception of Phacelia hastata. This may have been caused by the short-lived nature of the species rather than impacts associated with herbicide applications. Floral initiation and seed production were extremely variable across species and treatments. These results indicate herbicide effectiveness is species-specific in controlling broadleaf weeds in wildflower seed production fields. This study may provide growers and land managers information on the successful establishment of native wildflowers. As commercial demand continues to increase for native wildflower seed, so does the importance of recognizing the need to continue herbicide research on a variety of additional species.
Susan, an agronomist, has been employed as a Plant Scientist for 16 years at the Plant Materials Center (PMC) in Bridger, Montana. Susan’s work at the PMC focuses on the establishment and production of native herbaceous species in the harsh environments of Montana and Wyoming. A primary responsibility is in the identification, seed collection, evaluation, and selection of native wildflowers. Susan provides leadership in all aspects of three interagency agreements with Yellowstone National Park, as well as in the cooperative agreement with Wyoming Bureau of Land Management to evaluate the performance of wildflowers for enhancing sage-grouse habitat. She participated in a 1998 plant germplasm collection expedition in Mongolia and again in 2000 to assist in development of a plant materials program. Susan holds a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture and Master of Science in Range Science, MSU-Bozeman.
2:30 p.m.
Selecting and Growing Great Basin Native Forbs
Scott Jensen
Presentation (PDF)
Objectives of the Great Basin Native Plant Selection and Increase Project include increasing the availability of native species for restoration efforts and advancing information about their use and suitability. This presentation will cover work performed by several cooperators relating to wildland seed collection, species screening, cultural practice trials, germplasm evaluation, and partnering with private sector seed producers.
Scott works as a botanist in Provo, Utah for the USDA Rocky Mountain Research Station’s Grassland, Shrubland, and Desert Ecosystems Program. He began undergraduate studies at Western Oregon State College and finished B.S and M.S degrees at Brigham Young University in Wildlife and Range Resources. He enjoys spending free time with his family hiking, bicycling, camping and kayaking. He has worked in noxious weed research and control, wildlife habitat, and restoration. His current assignment is as a member of the Great Basin Native Plant Selection and Increase Project where his research efforts are focused on evaluating plant materials in an effort to bring new species onto the commercial seed market.
3:30 p.m.
The Logistics of Seed Production for South Texas Ecotypic Releases
John Reilley
Presentation (PDF)
The concept of the ecotype release is to mix numerous collections of a species in an effort to provide a broad spectrum of the genetic makeup adapted to a specific ecoregion. How many collections are necessary to provide a good representative sample of that species in a particular ecoregion? How much genetic diversity is inherent within and between collections of a species in that ecoregion? And if we mix multiple collections of a cross breeding species, do we know the ploidy levels of these collections, and have we taken precautions not to produce sterile hybrids? The ecotype release by nature is a wild creature, unlike its tame, homogenized relative the cultivar. Ecotype collections may have multiple growth forms and differing dates of seed maturity, which will complicate harvesting if mixed together in the same field. Furthermore, how many isolated fields are necessary to reflect the spectrum of a species’ genetics? How many isolated fields are feasible? Other classic production issues that must be addressed with an ecotype release include seed drying, seed storage, seed structure, and how common cultural practices may effect production.
John Reilley has been the manager for 18 years at the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, E. “Kika” de la Garza Plant Materials Center in Kingsville, Texas. The Center evaluates native plant materials as well as methods to improve water quality, stabilize erosion, restore degraded habitats, and increase plant diversity. Under John’s leadership, the Center has released or co-released 15 different plant species to the commercial seed trade. The Center’s objectives are accomplished through its joint efforts with the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M - Kingsville, Texas AgriLife Experiment Stations, the South Texas Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the Gulf Coast Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
4:00 p.m.
Harvesting for Diversity in Wildflower Seed Production Fields
Amy Bartow
Presentation (PDF)
Growing native forbs for seed production can be very difficult. These plants have traits that are advantageous in the wild, but make cultivation and harvest of these species unproductive. Harvest techniques need to be adjusted so the harvest of the crop does not significantly decrease the amount of genetic diversity that is present in the seed increase field. Paying attention to plant traits such as seed shatter and evenness of ripening among a plant as well as between plants in the field will help to determine which harvest method will collect as much diverse seed (which will usually also increase yields). Aside from the harvest technique, there are also ways of establishing seed increase fields to aid in harvesting diverse populations, such as planting populations in blocks. If population blocks exhibit different phonologies they can be harvested at different times.
Amy Bartow, a soil conservationist, has worked at the Corvallis Plant Material Center since 1997 specializing in plant and seed production of native species. She enjoys gardening, traveling, hiking, and playing with her two sons. She dislikes weeding and public speaking.
4:30 p.m.
How To Be A Seed Connoisseur
Stanford Young
Facing a pile of seed in bags, packets, or bulk containers can be daunting for a farmer, rancher, gardener, or professional reclamation specialist. What is actually in that pile of seed? A bulletin titled “How To Be A Seed Connoisseur”, compiled by the Utah Crop Improvement Association and Utah State Seed Laboratory, will soon be published. This bulletin explains how to evaluate what is in that pile of seed. It is divided into three sections, (I) how to evaluate a seed analysis label, (II) how to evaluate a seed certification label, and (III) how to take a seed sample for analysis. The bulletin provides an easily accessible, pocket-friendly guide that that will help those contracting, bidding, producing, buying, selling, receiving, storing, or planting seed to be able to evaluate the genetic identity, genetic purity, viability, and overall quality of a seed lot as it moves in commerce.
Stanford Young, the secretary/manager of the Utah Crop Improvement Association and Seed Certification Specialist at the Utah State University in Logan, UT, has been promoting seed certification in the native plant seed industry for over 20 years. He is a graduate of Utah State University and Oregon State University, with a PhD in plant pathology and plant breeding.
