Botanic Gardens Trust Sydney Australia

Amelia Martyn

Position

Seed Research Officer

Branch

Science & Public Programs

Section

Conservation & Horticultural Research
Mount Annan Botanic Garden

Email

amelia.martyn@rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au

Phone

+61 2 4634 7968

Fax

+ 61 2 4648 2465

Role

  • To improve understanding of the seed biology of common and threatened NSW species, including seed maturation, germination and dormancy, seed storage and longevity.
  • This position is funded through the SeedQuest NSW project.
  • SeedQuest NSW is a partnership between the NSW Seedbank at Mount Annan Botanic Garden and the Millennium Seed Bank project of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (UK).

Research interests

  • Seed biology and physiology of Australian native plants, conservation of rare and threatened Australian plants and communities, development of Australian plants for horticulture.

Keywords

seed biology, germination, dormancy, longevity, viability, horticulture, plant stress, plant physiology

Current research projects

Research for the SeedQuest NSW project aims to:

  • Improve the quality of seed collections held in the NSW Seedbank to ensure optimal long term storage
  • Determine the best methods to germinate seed by mimicking environmental cues experienced by seed in the field, including breaking dormancy in some species
  • Estimate how long seeds are likely to survive in storage, using rapid ageing techniques
  • Identify species with characteristics that suggest they may not survive the drying process, that is, desiccation sensitive or ‘recalcitrant’ species, and investigate alternative methods of storage
  • Assist with threatened species management and recovery planning by providing information to other government agencies, land managers and the public.

Other activities

  • Spokeswoman for Mount Annan Botanic Garden 2005-2007
  • Member of Wisenet (Women In Science Enquiry Network)
  • Mentor in Willing and Able Mentoring (WAM) Program 2005

Key publications

Peer reviewed publications

  • Martyn A, Seed LU, Ooi MKJ, Offord CA (in press) A review of seed fill, viability and germination: Family Rutaceae. Cunninghamia.
  • Frith A, Offord CA and Martyn AJ (in press) To bag or not to bag? The effect of different collection methods on seed germination of Zieria arborescens ssp. arborescens Sim. Ecological Management and Restoration.
  • Martyn AJ, Seed LU and Offord CA (2008) Seed desiccation tolerance of threatened Australian species Myrsine richmondensis. Seed Science and Technology 36:206-209. 
  • Martyn AJ, Larkum AWD, McConchie R and Offord CA (2008) Photoinhibition and change in pigments associated with bract browning in waratahs (Telopea spp., Proteaceae). Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology 83(3): 367-373.
  • Martyn AJ, Gollnow B, McConchie R and Offord CA (2007) Characterisation of bract browning and the effect of shade on browning in waratah (Telopea spp., Proteaceae) cultivars ‘Fire and Brimstone’, ‘Olympic Flame’ and ‘Wirrimbirra White’. Scientia Horticulturae 112:427-433.
  • Martyn AJ, Thomas CR, O’Neill ME, Offord CA and McConchie R (2007) Bract browning in waratahs (Telopea spp.) is not a localised calcium deficiency disorder. Scientia Horticulturae 112:434-438.
  • Martyn A (2004) The physiology and control of bract browning in waratahs. PhD thesis. Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, University of Sydney.
  • Martyn A, Tyler J, Offord C and McConchie R (2003). Swainsona sejuncta: A species of ornamental promise or a potential weed? Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 43:1369-1381.

Edited publications

  • Martyn AJ, Merritt DJ and Turner SR (2009) Seed banking. In Offord CA and Meagher PF (eds.) Plant germplasm conservation in Australia: strategies and guidelines for developing, managing and utilising ex situ collections. Australian Network for Plant Conservation Inc., Canberra. Chapter 4, pp 63-85.
  • Martyn A (2009) Seed longevity in Australian species: a collaborative study through the AuSCaR (Australian Seed Conservation and Research) network. Australasian Plant Conservation 17 (4): 9-10.
  • Seed L, Martyn AJ and Offord CA (2006).  Seed viability in serotinous species of the Sydney region.  Australasian Plant Conservation 15 (1): 8-9.
  • Martyn A, McConchie R. and Offord C (2006).  Effect of shade on bract browning of waratahs (Telopea spp.).  Acta Horticulturae  716:117-126.
  • Martyn A, Thomas C, Gollnow B, Offord C and McConchie R (2003) Investigations into the causes of bract browning in waratahs (Telopea spp.) Acta Horticulturae 602:99-102.

General publications

  • Martyn A (2008) Seeds take a journey to the heavens. WISENet Journal 79:9.
  • Martyn A (2008) The balancing act: Pearls of wisdom from busy women. WISENet Journal 79:15-16.
  • Martyn, A. (2006) A Passion for Australian Plants: Finding my way to the NSW Seedbank. WISENet Journal 71:4-5.
  • Martyn, A. (2004) Bract browning of waratahs is reduced by shading. Australian Flower Industry 1(3):16.
  • Martyn, A., Offord, C. and McConchie, R. (2002) Can shading and frequent irrigation reduce bract browning in waratahs? International Protea News 43:8-9.

 

 

 Amelia Martyn