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WELCOME
The National Seed Laboratory, operated by the USDA Forest
Service, is the only facility of its kind. It began as a regional
facility in 1951 and now serves the entire nation and many international
clients.
HOT
NEWS!!
Woody Plant Seed
Manual
USDA FS Agriculture Handbook 727 - The Woody Plant Seed Manual,
a handbook on seeds of trees and shrubs, is now available in hard
copy format from the Government
Printing Office. The April 2008 version is also available
on our WPSM page.
Our Newsletter
has been updated with information for the FY2008 seed testing
season.
NEWS!!
The National Seed Laboratory and the National Center for Genetic
Resources Preservation have signed a cooperative agreement to
conserve plant species. This agreement provides secure storage
of valuable plant germplasm and incorporates this germplasm into
the Germplasm Resources Information System (GRIN). Full document
can be viewed here .
NEW!!
Seed cleaning and germination testing for the restoration of ground
layer plants in a Longleaf Pine ecosystem Seed Technology
Center-Publications page.
NEW!!
Seed conditioning of understory forbs in the Longleaf Pine ecosystemSeed Technology
Center-Publications page.
Great Basin
Native Plants Project
The National Seed Laboratory is developing seed germination
testing protocols for up to 35 native forb and grass species. Data
collected on germination and seed weight will be used to develop
proposals for seed testing rules to be included in the Association
of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA) "Rules for Testing Seeds". These
rules provide a means to assess seed quality and value according
to a standarized method. Seed test results are important to buyers
and sellers for product labeling, to growers for plant production
and to seed control officials for enforcement of state and federal
seed laws. Seed testing rules for these species will be necessary
as these seed enter the market. You can view this and other informative
information on our Native Plant Cooperative
Research page.
The Collection and Care of Acorns: A
Practical Guide for Seed Collectors and Nursery Managers,
written and compiled by Dr. Frank Bonner, has been added to our
site. The information tells readers how to estimate seed crops;
how to collect, clean, and store acorns; how to perform simple
test of seed quality on acorns; and how to prepare acorns for
planting. This is an illustrated, practical "how-to-do-it"
guide. You can view this and other informative information on
our Seed Technology Center-Publications
page.
Plant Conservation Alliance
The PCA is a consortium of ten federal government Member agencies
and over 220 non-federal Cooperators representing various disciplines
within the conservation field: biologists, botanists, habitat
preservationists, horticulturists, resources management consultants,
soil scientists, special interest clubs, non-profit organizations,
concerned citizens, nature lovers, and gardeners. PCA Members
and Cooperators work collectively to solve the problems of native
plant extinction and native habitat restoration, ensuring the
preservation of our ecosystem. Check out their site on our links
page.
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Pure Harvest
The National Seed Laboratory has implemented a program for
you to check your test results online. If you have submitted
samples for testing, contact us via email
, for your username and password. Use this link to Pure
Harvest , enter your username and password and you
can view your test information as it is completed.
National Seed Laboratory - Germplasm Meeting PowerPoint
SEED
COLLECTION DATA FORM
Powerpoint instructions on
collecting Ash Seed.
A Replacement
for Kodak Industrex 620 Paper used in Seed Analysis!
Kodak Industrex x-ray paper, (Industrex 600 and 620), widely
used for seed analysis in seed conditioning plants and seed
labs for about 3 decades, is no longer available. Researching
a film replacement for USDA Forest Service nurseries identified
the film, associated processing chemicals and film processor.
Due to availabiltiy and favorable pricing, Kodak products
were researched. The USDA Forest Service, does not endorse
any items. They are simply recognized as suitable for seed
analysis. For complete results, view this report on our Seed
Technology Center-Publications page.
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Moisture Charts
The moisture charts for the Dickey John Tri-grain and
the Dole moisture meters are now located on our Seed
Testing page.
Pyschrometric Chart for Drying Seed, Cones and Fruits
with Heated Air on the Seed Technology
Center-Publications page.
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