Seeds Continued

Question 1

What are the parameters of the moisture content test?

Answer 1

Conifer seeds store very well at low temperatures and low moisture contents

this test ensures seeds are prepared for freezer (-18 C) storage
a seedlot must be between 4.9% and 9.9% for registration

Question 2

How are seeds generally collected?

Answer 2

Helicopter raking, tree climbing, shooting, coordinate with falling.

Question 3

What is that max opening size if you are collecting cones?

Answer 3

1 Ha

Question 4

What is an important mistake not to make when collecting cones?

Answer 4

Don’t let cones hit the ground to minimize chance of pathogen.

Question 5

Mitosis vs meiosis recap

Answer 5

Mitosis: cell division for growth where 2n cell produces 2 2n daughter cells.

Meiosis: cell division for reproduction. 2n cell produces 4 1n gametes. 2 gametes can fuse to produce zygote which developes into an embryo.

Question 6

Why does moisture content need to be between 4.9 and 9.9%

Answer 6

Because seeds are stored at up to -18 degrees and will split at moisture contents above 10%.

Question 7

What are the steps leading up to germination testing?

Answer 7

• Soak seed in warm water overnight
• put in refrigerator at 1 to 4 degrees for. (Cold stratification) takes 21 to 28 days to simulate a natural germination.
• put into growth chamber

Question 8

What is the standard sample size for a germination test?

Answer 8

4 replicates of 100 seeds are equal to one germination test. The average of the 4 tests is considered the germination capacity.

Question 9

How often are seeds evaluated in a Germination test? What quantifies germination in a G test?

Answer 9

Radicle length evaluated 3x weekly for 21 - 28 days. Once radicle reaches 4x length of seed coat, seed is considered a successfully germination get seed.

Question 10

What is a Spp that doesn’t require stratification?

Answer 10

Red cedar

Question 11

What is pelleting?

Answer 11

A process where seeds are coated in diatomaceous earth mist to aid the mechanical sowing of small, light, winged or irregular shaped seeds.

Cw is a common species that is pelletelized

Question 12

What is the sequence for calculating how many seeds you require?

Answer 12

Find a seed lot and germination capacity on the spar system

Stock type

Number of grams

Question 13

What is the formula for grams of seed ?

Answer 13

Number of seedlings needed x seeds supplied per seedling

/ seeds per gram

Question 14

What is a sowing request?

Answer 14

A transfer of seed from the Surrey seed Center to the nursery of your choice.

Question 15

What is stratification?

Answer 15

The process of waking up seed

All trees need waking up after freezing except for red cedar

Question 16

What is the diameter of a seedling referred to as?

Answer 16

Caliper

A function of the density of cavities In A styro block.

Question 17

What is the planting medium for seeds in nurseries?

Answer 17

Forestry nursery grade peat moss with perlite (weathered obsidian) mixed in to improve aeration.

Some sawdust added to strengthen form

Some time release fertilizer mixed in as well as some lime to buffer pH

Question 18

How is dormancy broken in seeds?

Answer 18

Soaked in warm water to bring water content back up to 30 %

Put in refrigerator 4 C to complete cold sum

Sowed to induce germination by meeting heat sum

Question 19

What is important to do in the storage phase to protect the seedlings from mold?

Answer 19

Proper spacing will give the optimum ventilation to dissipate the heat from respiration and keep the boxes aerated.