Download - USDA Forest Service National Tree Seed Laboratory 50 years of service to global reforestation
USDA Forest Service National Tree Seed
Laboratory
“50 years of service to global reforestation”
National Tree Seed Laboratory
Laboratory Functions
• Seed Testing of all tree, shrub, and native plants in the US using Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA) rules
• Seed Bank –seed to international researchers, certificates for international seed shipments
• Technical Assistance – solve seed problems for the reforestation community
• Seed Technology Center – information distribution, www.ntsl.fs.fed.us
Seed Testing
• Standardized seed tests for public, private, and corporate agencies – Germination percent with X-ray analysis– Purity percent– Seed per pound, seed per kilogram– Moisture content percent– Filled seed percent from X-ray analysis– Estimated viability percent
Quality Systems Program
• Accredited by International Seed Testing Association
• Review in October 2004• Quality Assurance Manual
developed and audited internally • Management Review of manual• Standard Operating Procedures
for each seed test
International Involvement
• Organization for Economic & Community Development (OECD) tree seed committee
• International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) meetings and committees
• International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) seed physiology committee
• ISTA certificates for international seed shipments
• Visiting scientists from other countries • International conferences
Yearly Seed Test Requests
0
500
1000
1500
2000
Number
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
Year
samples
Seed Tests Type by Year
0200400600800
100012001400160018002000
Number
'92 '93 '94 '95 '96 '97 '98 '99 '00 '01
Year
sd/lb Moisture Purity germ
Speciality Tests
0
50
100
150
200Number
'92
'93'
94 '95
'96
'97
'98
'99
'00
'01
'02
Year
Tetrazolium, excised embryo X-ray
International Seed Bank
• Clearinghouse for international seed shipments from the Forest Service to international researchers for genetic testing for a small fee
• Maintain small seed bank in storage• Export / Import requirements for seed• Obtain phytosanitary certificates and permits • Expanded future role – germplasm
conservation
Technical Assistance
• Free workshops on seed testing and cleaning
• Individual training on seed testing
• Tours for visiting scientists of reforestation programs (public and private)
• Projects and studies on seed problems • Support to other testing laboratories- ring
tests with ISTA and AOSA • Site visits to nurseries, seed plants, etc • Publications- regional, national,
international• Presentations at conferences, meetings
Projects and Studies
• Juniperus scopulorum seed dormancy study• Quercus rubra seed sizing study in Northeast• Pinus palustris laboratory & nursery
temperature study• Germination media study of Pinus palustris
and Pinus taeda for AOSA and ISTA• Seed storage study of Taxodium distichum,
Liriodendron tulipera, Nyssa, Fraxinus pennsylvanica
• Prunus persica paper on tetrazolium and excised embryo for ISTA
• Stratification study of Diosypros, Malus, Liriodendron
Seed Technology Center
• Technology Transfer- publications, information distribution
• Websites – www.ntsl.fs.fed.us , rngr.net,
• Training – workshops, conferences• Woody Plant Seed Manual –Ag
Handbook 450, ww.ntsl.fs.fed.us • Forest Service publications – Tree
Planters’ Notes, The Native Plant Journal, Seed Dealers’ Directory