[SOS-PCA] SOS April Call - NOTES

[Hosna, Rachel]

SOS Call April - NOTES

There were 18 collecting teams on the call.

·         Announcements

o   *Target species lists are due Monday April 30th. *

o   SOS training in Fort Collins, May 15-17. Contact Lori Young for more
information lyoung at blm.gov

o   SOS DATA PORTAL WEBSITE HAS CHANGED. The link has been updated on the
SOS website. www.seeds-success.org

o   There is a new guide to using online herbarium records available on the
SOS website.

·         General collection rules:

o   The SOS Seed Collection Reference number is a binomial of your office
code, separated by a hypen, followed by the sequential collection number.
For example: UT030-46, AZ930-124, etc. If you have any questions as to what
your office code is or what your first seed collection reference number
should be for this year, please e-mail Rachel (rhosna at blm.gov).

o   Collections should be from wild populations of native species – so be
aware of past seeding efforts in your area.

o   Sample from at least 50 individuals and document the number of plants
sampled on the data form

o   Collect no more than 20% of available seed on a given day.

o   Seed collected on multiple dates throughout the same growing season can
be added to the same accession.

o   All BLM teams will send their seed to the Bend Seed Extractory for
cleaning.

o   Collection break down: 10,000 seeds will be taken from each collection
and sent to the USDA ARS in Pullman, WA for long-term storage and a small
research working collection.

§  2/3 of the 10,000 will go into long-term storage with ARS and the
remaining 1/3 will be available to researchers as a small working
collection through the ARS Germplasm Resource Information Network,
generally in small amounts (1-200 seeds). Smaller collections (less than
10,000 seed) may be sent entirely to ARS and no seed will be available for
research and development.

o   Any seed collected beyond the 10,000 needed for long-term storage and
the small working collection will be available for native plant materials
development projects such as common garden studies, grow outs, etc. Be sure
you plan accordingly and communicate your collection goals with your
interns.

·         Site assessments

o   Site assessments are really important to help meet your collection
goals.

o   Do the math!: # plants in your population * avg. seeds per fruit * avg.
fruits per plant * 20% = estimated seeds available for harvest in the
population

·         Reminders when collecting seed

o   Sample evenly and randomly, from tall plants and short plants, etc.

o   Collect on multiple days, if possible.

o   Be cautious when noxious weeds are present at your collection site.
Bend cannot process collections with noxious weeds.

·         BEND

o   Seed lots should not contain excessive stem material. *Aristida*
species can only be accepted if it is hand stripped from the stem in the
field; due to the fragile seed we cannot process it with any stem material.

o   Seed lots should be exposed to No Pest Strip for at least 48-hrs before
shipment to BSE. This is to reduce our exposure to insect bites as well as
seed loss to predation. Seed can be quarantined in a closed Rubbermaid
container with the strips in the bottom of the container and the paper
collection bags open.

o   Seed lots should be well packaged in breathable bags (ie. paper, cloth,
mesh, woven). Seed that has escaped in delivery may or may not be able to
be salvaged by BSE. Paper bags are most ideal for any seed, as we are able
to rip the bags open to capture all of the material.

o   All non-fleshy fruit material should be dry prior to shipment.

o   Fleshy fruits should be packaged in ziplock bags (double bagged is
preferred) and delivered with ice packs to keep the fruit cool in
transport. Please do not send any berry-like fruit dry, unless you have
*completely* removed the flesh. It is especially important with Yucca
species, to be shipped fresh, as to reduce bug damage to the seed and in
turn processing damage.

o   Please label all bags with lot number and NRCS Plants Database code.
Also, please label the bags with bag numbers (1 of 5, 2 of 5, etc.).

o   Please do not ship a lot in separate shipments. Please hold the seed
lot until you have all of it and ship it at one time all together. If you
need to ship the lot in separate shipments, please notify us by email or
phone and put a note in the box that tells us more is coming.

o   Please label boxes, if possible, so that we know they are coming from
your unit. Boxes should be well packed so that bags do not shift during the
shipping process.

o   Alternatively, boxes also should not be packed so full that the bags
rip/explode during the shipping process. It is difficult to pull bags out
when they are crammed tightly into a small box.

o   Seed lots should arrive with paperwork that is double checked for the
correct lot number, genus, species, and NRCS Plants Database code. Please
send a note with your shipment that has contact information.

o   Please notify BSE when you would like to deliver seed in person.

o   Please send clearance forms to Rachel.

·         Smithsonian

o   Collecting Vouchers

§  Great specimens have roots, shoots/stems, and reproductive parts
(ideally flowers and fruits). Be sure that the characteristics needed to ID
the plant are shown in the specimen.

§  Collect a large enough sample (or multiple samples) to fill a herbarium
sheet (11” X 17”)

§  Do not collect more than what can fit on a single sheet UNLESS you know
how to create multiple sheets.

§  Large specimens can be bent to fit on one sheet using the accordion
technique.

§  If collecting a bulky specimen (i.e. pine cone) to accompany a pressed
sheet, both materials require a label.

o   Labels & Shipping

§  All specimens should have labels that are printed on acid-free paper. DO
NOT tape, staple, etc. your label to newsprint.

§  Follow SOS guide online (pp 3-5). Try to find a box that fits your
specimens snugly. 18x12x13 is standard. Pad specimens with newspaper to
keep specimens from getting crushed.

§  Always include a transmittal notice AND contact information for a
permanent staff member in case any questions arise.

§  If sending NON-SOS specimens, include a separate deed of gift.

§  If shipping USPS, use PO Box address.

Thanks to our guest speakers from the Bend Seed Extractory and the
Smithsonian and to everyone for calling in.

Best,

Rachel


-- 
Rachel Hosna
Seeds of Success
National Collection Curator
202-912-7233
rhosna at blm.gov

Seeds of Success
<https://www.blm.gov/programs/natural-resources/native-plant-communities/native-plant-and-seed-material-development/collection>
Plant Conservation Alliance <http://www.plantconservationalliance.org/>
National Seed Strategy for Rehabilitation and Restoration
<https://www.blm.gov/programs/natural-resources/native-plant-communities/national-seed-strategy>
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