Pacific Northwest Research Station

Title: Vacuum collection of Douglas-fir pollen for supplemental mass pollinations.

Author: Copes, D.L.; Vance, N.C.; Randall, W.K.; Jasumback, A.; Hallman, R.

Date: 1991

Source: Res. Note PNW-RN-503. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 9 p

Station ID: RN-PNW-503

Description: An Aget Cyclone dust collector and peripheral equipment were fieldtested for use in vacuuming large quantities of pollen from 30- to 40-foot trees in a Douglas-fir seed orchard. The Cyclone machine (Model 20SN31P) operated without a vacuum bag or filter device, so no blockage or reduction in vacuum efficiency occurred when large volumes of pollen were collected. Vacuum heads were fabricated out of sheet metal, aluminum or Lexan plastic. The Lexan head was preferred because it was durable and weighed only 12 ounces. Lightweight extension poles and hose permitted workers on the ground to gather pollen from as high as 25 feet. The weight of each collection apparatus (22-foot-long extension pole, 25 feet of 4-inch hose, and Lexan vacuum head) was 9.5 pounds. Approximately one-tenth quart of pollen per minute was gathered by four people working simultaneously with the Cyclone machine. Effect of vacuuming on pollen performance was tested by controlled pollinations. The number of filled seeds per cone and percentage or round seed that were filled were significantly greater (p<0.05) from vacuum-collected pollen than from catkin-gathered pollen. In vitro pollen germination tests indicated no significant difference between vacuum- and nonvacuum-collected pollens. Use of the equipment and procedures outlined in this report will allow cost-efficient collection of hundred-liter quantities of pollens and greatly enhance supplemental mass pollination in Douglas-fir orchards.

Keywords: Pollination, pollen, pollen collection, supplemental mass pollination, Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii, vacuuming

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Citation

Copes, D.L.; Vance, N.C.; Randall, W.K.; Jasumback, A.; Hallman, R.  1991.  Vacuum collection of Douglas-fir pollen for supplemental mass pollinations..   Res. Note PNW-RN-503. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 9 p