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Baughman O, Hosford A, Ralston E. Evaluating Seed Enhancement Technology's Effects on Seed Viability during Multi-Year Storage: A Case Study Using Herbicide Protection Pellets. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:3662. [PMID: 37896125 PMCID: PMC10610269 DOI: 10.3390/plants12203662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
The viability of seed often decreases during multi-year storage. For seed enhancement technologies (SETs) that apply treatments to native seed prior to sowing in restoration projects, it is important to determine if SETs affect the rate of viability loss in storage to understand if treated seeds can tolerate storage or if they must be sown immediately after treatment. Examining herbicide protection pellet (HPP) seed technology, we conducted germination trials on 10 seedlots of four species to compare three treatments: original bare seed kept in seed storage for 2-3 years, seed retrieved from 2-3-year-old HPPs made from pre-storage original bare seed (old HPPs), and seed retrieved from HPPs that were freshly-made using post-storage original bare seed (new HPPs). For three perennial bunchgrasses, we saw equal or higher germinability of seed from old HPPs compared to the original bare seed and new HPPs, suggesting application of HPP technology to these species prior to multi-year storage is suitable. For the seeds of a perennial shrub, although we saw greater germination of original bare seeds compared to old HPPs, the lowest germination was from new HPPs, still suggesting HPP application prior to storage as a suitable practice. We suggest these tests be performed with all new SETs under development for ecological restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Owen Baughman
- The Nature Conservancy, 67826A Hwy. 205, Burns, OR 97720, USA
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Zhang K, Khan Z, Yu Q, Qu Z, Liu J, Luo T, Zhu K, Bi J, Hu L, Luo L. Biochar Coating Is a Sustainable and Economical Approach to Promote Seed Coating Technology, Seed Germination, Plant Performance, and Soil Health. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:2864. [PMID: 36365318 PMCID: PMC9657824 DOI: 10.3390/plants11212864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Seed germination and stand establishment are the first steps of crop growth and development. However, low seed vigor, improper seedbed preparation, unfavorable climate, and the occurrence of pests and diseases reduces the germination rate and seedling quality, resulting in insufficient crop populations and undesirable plant growth. Seed coating is an effective method that is being developed and applied in modern agriculture. It has many functions, such as improving seed vigor, promoting seedling growth, and reducing the occurrence of pests and diseases. Yet, during seed coating procedures, several factors, such as difficulty in biodegradation of coating materials and hindrance in the application of chemical ingredients to seeds, force us to explore reliable and efficient coating formulations. Biochar, as a novel material, may be expected to enhance seed germination and seedling establishment, simultaneously ensuring agricultural sustainability, environment, and food safety. Recently, biochar-based seed coating has gained much interest due to biochar possessing high porosity and water holding capacity, as well as wealthy nutrients, and has been proven to be a beneficial agent in seed coating formulations. This review presents an extensive overview on the history, methods, and coating agents of seed coating. Additionally, biochar, as a promising seed coating agent, is also synthesized on its physico-chemical properties. Combining seed coating with biochar, we discussed in detail the agricultural applications of biochar-based seed coating, such as the promotion of seed germination and stand establishment, the improvement of plant growth and nutrition, suitable carriers for microbial inoculants, and increase in herbicide selectivity. Therefore, this paper could be a good source of information on the current advance and future perspectives of biochar-based seed coating for modern agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangkang Zhang
- MARA Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Shanghai Agrobiological Gene Center, No. 2901 Beidi Road, Shanghai 201106, China
| | - Zaid Khan
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Qing Yu
- MARA Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Shanghai Agrobiological Gene Center, No. 2901 Beidi Road, Shanghai 201106, China
| | - Zhaojie Qu
- MARA Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Jiahuan Liu
- MARA Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Tao Luo
- MARA Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Kunmiao Zhu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Nutritional Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology for Agro-Products, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Junguo Bi
- Shanghai Agrobiological Gene Center, No. 2901 Beidi Road, Shanghai 201106, China
| | - Liyong Hu
- MARA Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Lijun Luo
- Shanghai Agrobiological Gene Center, No. 2901 Beidi Road, Shanghai 201106, China
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Brown VS, Ritchie AL, Stevens JC, Hanks TD, Hobbs RJ, Erickson TE. Seed positioning in extruded pellets: Does it matter? Restor Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa S Brown
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Hwy Crawley Western Australia 6009 Australia
- Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions 2 Kattidj Close Kings Park Western Australia 6005 Australia
| | - Alison L Ritchie
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Hwy Crawley Western Australia 6009 Australia
- Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions 2 Kattidj Close Kings Park Western Australia 6005 Australia
| | - Jason C Stevens
- Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions 2 Kattidj Close Kings Park Western Australia 6005 Australia
| | - Taylah D Hanks
- Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions 2 Kattidj Close Kings Park Western Australia 6005 Australia
| | - Richard J Hobbs
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Hwy Crawley Western Australia 6009 Australia
| | - Todd E Erickson
- Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions 2 Kattidj Close Kings Park Western Australia 6005 Australia
- Centre for Engineering Innovation: Agriculture and Ecological Restoration, School of Agriculture and Environment The University of Western Australia Crawley Western Australia 6009 Australia
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Heterogeneity-Based Management Restores Diversity and Alters Vegetation Structure without Decreasing Invasive Grasses in Working Mixed-Grass Prairie. LAND 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/land11081135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Non-native plants can reduce grassland biodiversity, degrade wildlife habitat, and threaten rural livelihoods. Management can be costly, and the successful eradication of undesirable species does not guarantee the restoration of ecosystem service delivery. An alternative to the eradication of invasive species in rangelands is to target the restoration of diversity and heterogeneous plant structure, which have direct links to ecosystem function. In this study, we evaluate patch-burn grazing (PBG) with one and two fires per year and variably stocked rotational grazing in Poa pratensis- and Bromus inermis-invaded grasslands using traditional (cover) and process-based (diversity and vegetation structural heterogeneity) frameworks in central North Dakota, USA. Within 3–4 years of initiating management, we found little evidence of decreased Poa pratensis and Bromus inermis cover compared to continuous grazing (Poa pratensis F3,12 = 0.662, p = 0.59; Bromus inermis F3,12 = 0.13, p = 0.13). However, beta diversity increased over time in all treatments compared to continuous grazing (tPBG1 = 2.71, tPBG2 = 3.45, tRotational = 3.72), and variably stocked rotational treatments had greater increases in spatial heterogeneity in litter depth and vegetation structure than continuously grazed pastures (tvisual obstruction= 2.42, p = 0.03; tlitter depth = 2.59, p = 0.02) over the same time period. Alternative frameworks that promote grassland diversity and heterogeneity support the restoration of ecological services and processes in invaded grasslands.
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Svejcar LN, Brown VS, Ritchie AL, Davies KW, Svejcar TJ. A new perspective and approach to ecosystem restoration: a seed enhancement technology guide and case study. Restor Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren N. Svejcar
- USDA‐Agricultural Research Service Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center 67826‐A Hwy 205 Burns OR 97720 U.S.A
| | - Vanessa S. Brown
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Highway Crawley WA 6009 Australia
| | - Alison L. Ritchie
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Highway Crawley WA 6009 Australia
| | - Kirk W. Davies
- USDA‐Agricultural Research Service Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center 67826‐A Hwy 205 Burns OR 97720 U.S.A
| | - Tony J. Svejcar
- Oregon State University, Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center 67826‐A Hwy 205 Burns OR 97720 U.S.A
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Brown VS, Erickson TE, Merritt DJ, Madsen MD, Hobbs RJ, Ritchie AL. A global review of seed enhancement technology use to inform improved applications in restoration. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 798:149096. [PMID: 34340083 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Seed-based restoration often experiences poor success due to a range of edaphic and biotic issues. Seed enhancement technologies (SETs) are a novel approach that can alleviate these pressures and improve restoration success. Broadly, SETs have been reviewed for agricultural and horticultural purposes, for specific types of SETs such as coating or priming, or for focal ecosystems. However, information is lacking for SETs within a restoration focused context, and how they are being used to alleviate certain barriers. This review aimed to synthesise the current literature on SETs to understand what SETs are being tested, in which sectors and locations they are being tested, what issues are faced within restoration using SETs, and how SETs are being used to approach these issues. Priming was highlighted as the main SET investigated. Inoculation, pesticide application and magnetic fields were also commonly tested (SETs we termed 'prospective techniques'). SET research mainly occurred in the agricultural sector. More recently, other sectors, such as restoration and rangeland management, have increased efforts into SET research. The restoration sector has focused on extruded pelleting and coating (with activated carbon), in combination with herbicide application, to overcome invasive species, and coating with certain additives to alleviate edaphic issues. Other sectors outside restoration were largely focused on evaluating priming for overcoming these barriers. The majority of priming research has been completed on crop species and differences between these species and ecosystems must be considered in future restoration efforts that focus on native seed use. Generally, SETs require further refinement, including identifying ideal additives and their optimum concentrations to target certain issues, refining formulations for coating and extruded pelleting and developing flash flaming. A bet-hedging approach using multiple SETs and/or combinations of SETs may be advantageous in overcoming a wide range of barriers in seed-based restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa S Brown
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia; Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, 2 Kattidj Close, Kings Park, Western Australia, 6005, Australia.
| | - Todd E Erickson
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia; Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, 2 Kattidj Close, Kings Park, Western Australia, 6005, Australia
| | - David J Merritt
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia; Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, 2 Kattidj Close, Kings Park, Western Australia, 6005, Australia
| | - Matthew D Madsen
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, 701 East University Parkway, Provo, UT 84602, United States of America
| | - Richard J Hobbs
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Alison L Ritchie
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia; Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, 2 Kattidj Close, Kings Park, Western Australia, 6005, Australia
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