SePPCon 2024: Propagation Protocols & Programs
SePPCon 2024: Propagation Protocols & Programs
Developing horticultural protocols for threatened Varronia species in Puerto Rico
M.A. Hamilton* (1,2), M. Dani Sanchez (1,3), J. Rosario Santana (4), A Marrero (4), J.A. Duran Baez (4), E. Lopez (4), B. Sanchez Santana (5), O.A. Monsegur-Rivera (6)
(1) South Carolina Botanical Garden at Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA. (2) The Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AE, UK. (3) Cooperative Extension Service, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA. (4) University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. (5) Natural Resources Conservation Service, Puerto Rico. (6) US Fish and Wildlife Service, Caribbean Ecological Services Field Office, Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
Varronia bellonis and V. rupicola (Boraginaceae) are threatened species, endemic to the U.S. Caribbean. Ongoing international collaborations are investigating key aspects of these species’ phylogenetic placement, populations genetics, biogeography and conservation status to inform future conservation actions. The project partners developed horticultural protocols for both species using seed for germination trials and cuttings for vegetative propagation trials. This work provides information necessary to develop an effective species conservation plan and may serve as a model for the conservation of other narrow endemics such as Varronia wagnerorum.
Restoring Native Asclepias: Assessing Stratification and Germination for Conservation
Savannah Cecchini*, Dr. Cathy Borer, Berry College
Video start time: 8:07
Native Asclepias (milkweed) species are rapidly declining, but as keystone species, they play vital roles in promoting biodiversity and sustaining food webs. They provide habitat and food for numerous pollinators, including the endangered Danaus plexippus (monarch butterfly). In this project, we are determining optimal stratification and germination conditions, assessing seed viability and germination rates of Asclepias tuberosa, and attempting to germinate several rare native Asclepias species. We compared two common media (vermiculite and paper towel) to stratify and germinate commercially-produced Asclepias tuberosa seeds. We found that vermiculite allowed the seeds to grow and mature at a faster rate, reduced the risk of fungal contamination, and facilitated more efficient seedling transfer. We collected one fruit from each of six different Asclepias tuberosa plants that were grown from seed last year and found that 87% of the seeds germinated after stratification and germination in moist vermiculite. We are also collecting a small number of seeds from rare Asclepias species growing at Berry College to attempt to repopulate these species. This work is part of a larger project to restore and monitor native Asclepias species and maintain safeguarding sites on the campus of Berry College and in the surrounding area. This project supports the conservation of native plant species, provides habitat for monarch butterflies along their migration routes, promotes pollinator diversity, and helps to restore ecosystems.
In vitro conservation of imperiled trees at Atlanta Botanical Garden
Qiansheng Li*, Jason Ligon, Emily Coffey, Atlanta Botanical Garden
Video start time: 17:15
In vitro culture is useful for conserving imperiled plants, particularly those unable to be successfully propagated by seeds or with recalcitrant seeds that can not be conserved by traditional seed banks. In vitro conservation has advantages such as high efficient multiplication rates, aseptic conditions and minimal space requirements. Following years of orchid micropropagation, the micropropagation lab at Atlanta Botanical Garden is currently developing in vitro culture protocols for imperiled trees, with a focus on magnolias (Magnolia ashei, M. pyramidata, M. splendens, M. stellata, M. zenii), oaks (Quercus boyntonii, Q. georgiana, Q. arkansana, Q. hinckleyi), Florida yew (Taxus floridana), Torreya (Torreya taxifolia). The conservation objectives can be approached by three distinct pathways from in vitro culture. Firstly, the in vitro propagated plantlets can serve ex situ conservation efforts in conservation nurseries, gardens and arboreta, as well as support horticultural practices to reduce the wild collection of seeds or cuttings. Secondly, short to medium term storage can be achieved by slow-growth strategy employing low temperature, low light level, minimal nutrient medium, and growth regulators. Additionally, the in vitro shoot tips can be utilized for cryopreservation as a long-term storage solution. The micropropagation at ABG is aiming to develop in vitro conservation protocols for more species endemic to southeastern America.
Developing a Georgia Native Seed Network for the Production of Conservation Species
Zach Wood *(1, 2), Jennifer Ceska (2), Melanie Flood (2), Joseph Kirsch (3)
(1) Southeastern Grasslands Institute, (2) State Botanical Garden of Georgia at UGA, (3) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Video start time: 26:40
There is inadequate supply and increased demand of locally adapted, genetically appropriate native (local ecotype) graminoid and forb seed and other plant materials within the state of Georgia and throughout most of the Southeast Region. This paucity of native seed and plant material hinders wildfire recovery work, and habitat restoration on federal, state, local municipality, and private lands. There currently is a supply and demand disconnect that makes seed and plant producers reluctant to invest in producing these perishable native plant materials despite significant public and private need. A coordinated seed network made up of field botanists, horticulturists, farmers, and producers linked with landowners, organizations, and agencies seeking native plant materials is needed for making local ecotype seeds and plant materials readily available in Georgia and throughout the Southeast Region. The Georgia Native Seed Network will be developed to facilitate and coordinate the field collection, commercial production, and purchasing or acquisition of native local ecotype seeds and other plant materials within each of the Level III Ecoregions in Georgia to meet future wildfire recovery and other land management demands within a timely manner while minimizing costs, creating jobs, and bolstering the native plant industry in the private sector. Through a two-phase process, the Network will collect seeds conservation relevant species from wild populations and create production sites across the state.
Addressing seed needs with the Plant Materials of the Atlantic Southeast Program
Alexandra Touloupas* (1), Michael Kunz (1), Emma Marzolf (2)
(1) North Carolina Botanical Garden, (2) The Jones Center at Ichauway
Video start time: 36:30
At the North Carolina Botanical Garden, we are expanding access and availability for locally-sourced native plant materials for restoration efforts through our initiative, Plant Materials of the Atlantic Southeast (PMAS). We will highlight the program’s progress, achievements, and partnerships that have advanced these goals. Since 2019, we have collected genetically-diverse seed for over 250 species across 5 ecoregions amounting to over 750 total collections, all cleaned and stored on site. From these collections, we established 25 seed increase plots to increase founder seed amounts and trial species new to production in an effort to increase diversity within the current restoration species pool. Through this program, we have provided plant materials to a wide range of partners including regional conservation organizations, researchers, local farmers, large-scale growers, and government agencies. One such partner is USFS, who we are working with to collect and amplify seed for species that are not commercially available with NC provenance for projects in the NC mountains and coastal plain. We have also partnered with Roundstone Native Seed Company, who has scaled up production for several NC piedmont and sandhills-ecotype species. Through the PMAS program, we’re working to improve access and address seed needs for successful southeastern restoration efforts.