[SOS-PCA] SOS Call Notes: August 6, 2013

[Haidet, Margaret]

There were 33 participants on the call.

Agenda:

-       *Update on data entry portal* – We are working with the developers
on this.  Once the product is ready, a small group from the field will test
it.  Once all of the kinks are worked out we will let everyone know.
Multiple webinars will be presented to inform the field how to use the
web-based data entry portal.


-       *Genetic Purity* - What if seed from more than one species become
mixed?  If seed from multiple species are accidentally mixed into the same
collection, do not submit them to SOS.  Instead, check with specialists in
your office, or partners in your area to see if they have a use for both
species.

-       *Seed Ripening* – “After-ripening” is not embryo development.  Many
folks misunderstand the term “after-ripening.”   Various species do
“after-ripen” (ie. Conifer cones), however there is a large difference
between “after-ripening” and embryo development.  Once you harvest any seed
it no longer has the ability to develop physiologically.  This is a common
misconception for many.  “After-ripening” is a period during which internal
changes must occur in dormant, but fully developed seeds, before
germination can occur.  Please do not collect seed in which the embryo has
not fully developed, because it will not store and the material inside will
only become desiccated and you will have a lot of dead seed.  The seed will
be completely developed when the embryo fills 90% or more of the length of
the seed coat.  If you collect too early the seed will not germinate as it
does not have the proper structure to do so.

Woody Plant Seed Manual is a great reference -
http://www.nsl.fs.fed.us/nsl_wpsm.html


-       *Data forms* – Please send them to mahaidet at blm.gov as soon as they
are complete.



-       *Clearance forms* – Please submit these, with at least 30 days turn
around time, if you would like any seed balance returned to your office.
If you have more than 3 collections to request back, please use the Word
document and add extra rows to the form.


-       *Annual report *– Don’t forget that annual reports will be due at
the end of the calendar year.  Please take a look at them and keep track of
partnerships, volunteers, and educational/outreach events.



Update from Bend:

-       Please do not send partial collections to Bend.  Wait until all
seed has been collected, then ship it.

-       Many collections coming in from SOS and they look really great,
they are labeled well, packaged nicely, people are being communicative
about fruit shippments.  Good Work!



Update from Smithsonian

-       Please label your herbarium sheets.  There is an example of an
herbarium label on the SOS website (
http://www.nps.gov/plants/sos/training/How%20to%20Create%20a%20Herbarium%20Label.pdf
)

-       Contact Meghann Toner (tonerm at si.edu) or Andrew Clark (
clarkap at si.edu) if you have to make changes to any of your herbarium labels
. Herbarium sheets should measure 113/4” x 161/2” so it is best to pre-cut
paper accordingly.  For guidance on herbarium voucher preparation check out
the following resource:
http://www.nps.gov/plants/sos/training/Basic%20Herbarium%20Voucher%20Preparation%20Techniques.pdf
.

Q&A

-  Astragalus – What to do when there is a moldy collection? It depends on
a case by case basis. Contact Kayla (kherriman at fs.fed.us) directly, take
photos, the mold may not affect the seed but it could contaminate the
equipment at Bend.

-  Mold with lupines tends to happen when they quarantine them in the
rubbermade with no-pest strips. When this happens odds are the moisture
content is too high to begin.  If you can dry the seed more before
quarantining you should be good.  Silica gel and rice are other moisture
absorption options.

- What to do when seeds disperse as soon as they ripen and get eaten by
animals?  One team is trying to collected and let them ripen/dry out over
the weekend. Generally you want the seed coat to be full with embryo or
cotelydon.  If you cut it a few days later, and the seed is dessicating,
then the collection wasn't ready.

-       Net bags has worked well for MOBOT when collecting species that
dehiss and can be difficult to collect.

If any changes need to be made to the identification of a species, contact
mahaidet at blm.gov with the information that needs to be edited.  Depending
on where the seed and data is in the chain of collection to cleaning to
storage, Megan Haidet will contact the appropriate parties so the data can
be updated appropriately.

You can use any email address to sign up for the SOS listserve.
Instructions can be found here: http://www.nps.gov/plants/sos/maillist.htm.

Next Call: Tuesday, September 3rd, 2013


Megan Haidet
Seeds of Success
National Collection Curator
Seeds of Success
202-912-7233

www.blm.gov/sos
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