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

Key publications

Peer reviewed publications

Martyn, A.J., Seed, L.U. and Offord, C.A. (in press) Seed desiccation tolerance of threatened Australian species Myrsine richmondensis. Seed Science and Technology.
Martyn, A.J., Larkum, A.W.D., McConchie, R. and Offord, C. A. (in press) Photoinhibition and change in pigments associated with bract browning in waratahs (Telopea spp., Proteaceae). Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology.
Martyn, A.J., Gollnow, B., McConchie, R. and Offord, C. A. (2007) Characterisation of bract browning and the effect of shade on browning in waratah (Telopea spp.) cultivars ‘Fire and Brimstone’, ‘Olympic Flame’ and ‘Wirrimbirra White’. Scientia Horticulturae (in press).
Martyn, A.J., Thomas, C. R., O’Neill, M. E., Offord, C. A. and McConchie, R. (2007) Bract browning in waratahs (Telopea spp.) is not a localised calcium deficiency disorder. Scientia Horticulturae (in press).
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, A., McConchie, R. and Offord, C. (2006). Effect of shade on bract browning of waratahs (Telopea spp.). Acta Horticulturae 716:117-126.
McConchie, R., Martyn, A. and Offord, C. (2005). Effect of shade on bract browning of waratahs (Telopea spp.) Acta Horticulturae 694: 439-443.
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., 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. (March 2006) A Passion for Australian Plants: Finding my way to the NSW Seedbank. Wisenet Journal 71:4-5.
Seed, L., Martyn, A.J. and Offord, C.A. (2006). Seed viability in serotinous species of the Sydney region. Australasian Plant Conservation 15 (1): 8-9.

Botanic Gardens Trust, Sydney, Australia