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