Seed biology

Dr Amelia Martyn, Seed Research Officer & Dr Cathy Offord, Senior Research Scientist

Research into seed germination, dormancy and longevity for the SeedQuest NSW project continued in 2007-08, as an essential component of the partnership between the NSW Seedbank of the Botanic Garden Trust and Millennium Seed Bank Project of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (UK). Understanding germination and breaking seed dormancy are critical for future utilisation of the seed resource. More than 800 germination tests have been completed for species banked as part of SeedQuest NSW, with more than 600 tests exceeding 75% germination. These successful germination tests indicate the initial viability of each collection and give confidence that healthy living plants can be regenerated from banked seeds. Seed longevity (rapid ageing) studies have been conducted for 46 NSW species, with results to be combined with other Australian seedbank partners for publication.

Studies on difficult-to-germinate species have focused on the NSW Rutaceae. Research on germination of three species of Boronia was presented at Seed Ecology II, the 2nd International Society for Seed Science meeting on Seeds and the Environment in Perth in September 2007. A review of seed quality and germination for Rutaceae species held at the NSW Seedbank is in preparation. Significant efforts have been made to educate seedbank practitioners in best-practice techniques for seed handling, storage and germination. This was done through formal training, community talks and seedbank tours, and the drafting of updated germplasm guidelines (through ANPC).

For more information see NSW Seedbank.

Seed Research Officer Amelia Martyn and Veronica Viler (Horticulturist) examine healthy seedlings germinated from the NSW Seedbank
Photo: Simone Cottrell, Botanic Gardens Trust.