Native Seed Mixes and Orders -Quality Assurance

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1 PCAP Native Prairie/Reclamation Workshop February 8 9, 2012 Saskatoon Native Seed Mixes and Orders -Quality Assurance Larry K. Gabruch P.Ag Nature Conservancy of Canada Saskatchewan Region Parklands Program Saskatoon Office

2 Outline Seed Pedigrees Certified v. common Weed Seed Tolerances Native Plant Certification Program Seed Types Ecovar, Cultivar, Ecotype (Wild harvest) Calibrating Seeding Equipment Case Study- Diverse Seed Mix for Saskatchewan Site

3 Forage Seed Pedigrees Breeder: breeder seed programs (e.g.. Agric Canada) Foundation: generally for commercial seed increase. (Production of Registered or Certified seed) Registered: Generally for commercial seed increase (production of Certified seed) Certified: commercial seed. Photo Credit: Manitoba Forage Seed Association Common: No pedigree

4 SEED QUALITY If Certified seed not available, it may be necessary to purchase Common seed. Common seed cannot be sold by variety name in Canada.. Varieties are legally defined as distinct, uniform and stable and often require a long term investment in plant breeding and testing. (CSGA website) Therefore - determine its genetic origin (from supplier). This is more important when purchasing native seed. RULE OF THUMB: native seed should not be moved more than 300 miles north or 200 miles south of its point of origin as problems with winter hardiness, longevity and disease may result. Movement east or west is affected by changes in precipitation and elevation. An increase of 1,000 feet in elevation is equal to a move of approximately 175 miles north Source seed from a reputable dealer that can provide and blend high quality seed and mixtures!

5 Common #1: Prohibited: 0 Primary: 0 Primary plus Secondary: 5 Total Weeds: 75 Weed Seed Tolerances for Pedigreed Seed Examples of tolerances for weed seeds in some forage grasses(maximum number of seeds per 25 grams) Canada Foundation #1: Prohibited: 0 Primary Noxious: 0 Primary plus Secondary: 1 Total Weeds: 5 Canada Certified #1: Prohibited: 0 Primary: 0 Primary plus Secondary: 4 Total Weeds: 50

6 Weed Seed Categories (examples) PROHIBITED Russian Knapweed, Leafy Spurge, Jointed Goat Grass. PRIMARY: Canada Thistle, Field Bindweed, Cleavers, Couch (Quack) Grass, Wild Mustard. SECONDARY: Wild Oat, Persian Darnel, Stinkweed, Cow Cockle, Scentless Chamomile. Other: Wild (Foxtail) Barley, Barnyard Grass, Kochia, Flixweed.

7 Native Plant Certification Program This is a voluntary quality control process provided by the CSGA for native plant seed identification. Although legally separate from pedigreed seed crop certification, similar CSGA documents and procedures are used to verify the origin of collection or production of native plant reproductive materials that have not been released as a variety. This program documents the identity of plant material and verifies that it is from a designated geographical location (Source Identified Class) or selected for specific characteristics (Selected Class).

8 Native Plant Certification Program Source Identified (SI) This seed certification class of pre-variety germplasm provides third party assurance of geographical origin, usually for perennial native grasses, legumes and forbs produced from parent populations which have not been selected. SI seed labels issued by the CSGA identify the original geographic location of the collection or production that has been declared by the responsible Plant Breeder Selected This seed certification class of pre-variety germplasm provides third party assurance of identity, usually for perennial native grasses, legumes and forbs produced from selected parent populations with distinctive, identifiable characteristics or potential genetic improvement. Selected class seed labels issued by the CSGA identify the name assigned to the selection by the responsible Plant Breeder

9 Native Seed Genetic Sources Ecovars Ecological variety is a selection that is developed with equal emphasis on maintenance of broad genetic base and agronomic characteristics (i.e.. Seed production) Ecotypes Wild harvested, local harvest Ensure seed harvested in the vicinity of the revegetation location Cultivars cultivated variety- is rigidly selected for uniformity of agronomic characteristics (defined as: distinct, uniform and stable) Often from one parent plant. Ecovar is a trademarked name by Ducks Unlimited Canada

10 Case Study Diverse Seed Mix Kettlehut Lake Project (Dry Upland Site) Species Variety Class seeds/lb PLS lbs/acre Seeds/foot 2 Green Needlegrass Mallard certified 181, Needle & Thread Sharp tail certified 115, Western Wheatgrass WR Poole certified 110, Northern Wheatgrass Polar certified 154, Awned Wheatgrass Sprig certified 138, June Grass Keystone certified 2,000, Purple Prairie Clover & inoculum Larmor certified 300, Little Bluestem Taylor certified 255, Blue Grama Ecovar if available certified 725, Prairie Sandreed Ecovar if available certified 274, Hookers Oatgrass Ecovar if available certified 140, ecotype - whatever 2,000,00 Sandberg's Bluegrass is available Canada Wildrye Mandan certified 121, Slender Wheatgrass Adanac or Revenue certified 159, Lewis Wild Blue Flax Common 295, Sub total

11 Calibrating Seeding Equipment Objective: An accurate and consistent rate of seed flow Several methods dependant on type of drill used: Conventional drills Bulk weight of seed measured Seeds per row of foot Air drills Bulk weight of seed measured Bulk density input into seeding rate monitor Follow manufacturers guidelines for calibration Seeding depth setting is a critical step after calibration Further details: Revegetating with Native Grasses in the Northern Great Plains (DUC/NPS)

12 Food For Thought What about seed quality assurance measures for seed used during the pre-planting years???? i.e. annual crop, greenfeed Using bin run seed? Do you know what weeds are in the seed lot?

13 Thank You and GOOD LUCK Seeding!