Seed Conservation Centre

• Introduction
• Seed Collection
• Seed Processing
• Seed Testing
• Seed Storage
• Alternative Conservation Techniques
• Partnerships
• Millenium Seedbank Project
• Student Research Projects

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Introduction

The fat leafed wattle Acacia pinguifolia is an example of one of South Australia's nationally endangered plants

The implementation of efficient conservation strategies for native plant species is essential to stem the rapid loss of biodiversity throughout Australia. Of South Australia's 3,500 native vascular plants, over 800 are considered to be threatened in their natural environments, if no actions are taken to secure their future. Furthermore, there is evidence that at least 33 indigenous plant species have become extinct in South Australia since European settlement, with the number of regional extinctions significantly higher.

The Botanic Gardens of Adelaide Seed Conservation Centre was established to contribute to the conservation of South Australia's threatened flora, using ex situ (outside natural environment) methodologies and integrating these collections with the State's in situ (within natural environment) conservation programs. The primary objective of the Centre is to undertake seed collections of priority plant species throughout South Australia for the establishment of long-term seed conservation collections and development of germination and storage protocols for each species collected. The Seed Conservation Centre is currently the only unit within South Australia undertaking this type of research with native plant species. The objectives of the Centre have been tightly aligned with state and national legislation, and closely linked with South Australia's regional biodiversity plans. The program also addresses the ex situ conservation targets established by the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation as developed by Parties to the Convention of Biological Diversity in 2002.

Seed Collection

Collecting seed from endangered plants on Kangaroo Island

Once a target species is identified in the field, seed is harvested in a manner that ensures a genetic representation of the population is collected. No more than 20% of the available seed is collected, ensuring the long-term impact of seed collection on wild plant populations is minimal. It is however important that sufficient seed be collected, as routine viability and germination trials during the life of the collection use up a proportion of the stock. Once collected, seed is kept dry in breathable cotton or paper bags until it reaches the Seed Conservation Centre.

Seed Processing

Incoming seeds are placed in a drying room, under ambient conditions of 15°C and 15% relative humidity. These conditions ensure slow, steady drying and minimise reductions in seed lot viability. Seeds are then cleaned to remove debris and foreign materials. For some species it is necessary to extract seed from pods or cones before cleaning can occur. Once cleaned and counted, seeds are returned to the drying room, and left to equilibrate to a water moisture content of 3.5-6.5% depending on oil content within the seed.

Seed Testing

Testing the viability of Whibley's Wattle seed Acacia whibleyana on water agar

A sub-sample of each seedlot is removed for germination trials. Seeds are tested for germination under a variety of conditions on water-agar plates. Species exhibiting dormancy mechanisms are subjected to a range of chemical and physical treatments to promote germination. Optimal conditions are recorded and applied during subsequent viability testing.

Seed Storage

A sub-sample of each seedlot is removed for germination trials. Once dried, seeds are transferred to foil pouches, hermetically sealed and stored under low temperature conditions. Although the storage life of seeds is variable, data suggests species producing orthodox (tolerant of desiccation and low temperature storage) seeds can be stored for over 100 years. To test viability and ensure storage conditions are not detrimental to collections, a sub-sample of seed is tested twelve months after first being stored, with subsequent tests every five years. To determine the suitability of these environmental conditions for conserving seed from native Australian species, the Seed Conservation Centre aims to investigate the effect of storing seeds under low temperature conditions with reduced moisture contents.

Alternative Conservation Techniques

Tissue culture of the endangered Spiny Everlasting Daisy Acanthocladium dockerii

In some instances, seed from particular plant species may be recalcitrant to long-term storage. Alternatively limitations in population size may prevent sufficient seed being collected from wild populations. Under these circumstances, alternative ex situ conservation techniques including the tissue culture based methods of micropropagation and embryo culture are adopted.

Partnerships

To enhance its capacity to contribute to the conservation of South Australia's threatened flora, the Seed Conservation Centre has developed collaborative links with a number of external groups at a national and international level, including botanic gardens, universities and other research institutions.

Millenium Seedbank Project

Inside the Millennium Seed Bank visitor area

In 2003 the Seed Conservation Centre entered into a six-year partnership with the Millennium Seed Bank. The Millennium Seed Bank is managed by the Seed Conservation Department, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew in the United Kingdom. The Partnership will enhance the Seed Conservation Centres capacity to achieve its objectives, providing additional resources as well as an opportunity to embark on collaborative research at an international level. By 2010 the collaborative project aims to undertake long-term seed conservation collections for over 800 of South Australia's priority plant species. For further information see the Millennium Seed Bank Project website.

Student Research Projects

Opportunities are available for tertiary students to undertake research projects at the Seed Conservation Centre. These projects range from small projects suitable for incorporation into undergraduate subjects to more extensive projects suitable for a post-graduate level. Projects are focused on understanding seed biology issues for native Australian plants including germination and long-term storage requirements.

Students at the Seed Conservation Centre

For further information about student research projects please contact the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide.

Honours Research Projects 2006

The Seed Conservation Centre was offering three funded Honours level research projects for 2006. All three positions are now filled. New projects will be available for 2007.

For further information and application details for Honours Reseach Projects please contact Dr Phillip Ainsley, Germplasm Research Coordinator at the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide Seed Conservation Centre by phone on (61 8) 8222 9327.