130 likes | 141 Views
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
E N D
USDA Forest ServiceNational Tree Seed Laboratory “50 years of service to global reforestation”
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
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 • Quercusrubra 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