Records

 

The efficient development of effective protocols for seedling production will be the result of the accumulation and aggregation of basic knowledge combined with the practical experience gained from operating the various systems over time. For this to be effective it is important to maintain records in a detailed, coherent and recoverable fashion so that this experience can be verified from a primary source which, in turn, is derived from the immediate context of the operating conditions at a particular site. This will allow the development of reliable protocols for use within the constraints of that particular establishment.

 

The primary records are most usefully maintained on the basis of each individual seed lot. This implies an ability to maintain a chronological record of all the events and details pertinent to a particular sample. This, in turn, will require that each lot can be identified by a numerical and/or alphabetical code or other detail (eg bar coding) which allows the quick referral of information to this particular log. Nowadays, with the development of ever improving and more efficient and sophisticated systems and databases, computerised record keeping becomes relatively easy – once the parameters of the database have been established and an understanding of the possibilities has been achieved.

 

It is not the intention to present sample record pages as the abilities of any particular operation and the amount of information recorded will depend on the time available – after all the object of the exercise is to produce seedlings – not to store data! Thus the following notes are presented as a guide to allow an operator to be aware of all the various parameters which might affect the outcome and provide an overall view of all the variables which might affect the development of a protocol.

 

Nevertheless the more information that can be recorded – however trivial – may turn out to be significant. Remember that with modern digital photography – images are easily produced and one picture can take the place of ‘a thousand words’! The current, ever accelerating, development of information technology equipment can allow hand held, mobile, digital ‘pieces of kit’ (with phenomenal abilities and memory) to be carried and that this will allow records to be made in the ‘field’.

 

All individual records of detail should be preceded by a date.

 

a) Seed lot recognition code

The most significant initial task is to assign each seed lot an individual identification code (see above) that will be used to monitor it throughout its presence in the system of production.

 

b) Identification

The name by which a seed lot is accessed should be recorded but the record should also allow for subsequent correction if later information demonstrates that the initial nomenclature was erroneous – either as a result of mistaken identification or as a result of taxonomic changes.

 

c) Source

 External origin

  Commercial

   Seedhouse

    origin – name of supplier

             cost

             invoice no.

    name (identification) as used

    lot number

    quantity – weight or count

    (image)

    any other information provided eg provenance

 

  Other supplier or collector

    relevant information as above

 

  Self collection

   weather conditions

   status/condition of the sample

   location – GPS

   (image)

   other relevant information 

 

d) Extraction

    details of methods and techniques used

    - this is usually relevant only to a species or group of species

 

e) Seed description and count

   (close-up image)

   unit count – 100 grain weight or

                no. per (relevant) 100gm, Kg, oz, lb

   viability

    method of assessment

    measure

 

(This feature is often a diagnostic feature in confirming the identification of the subject)

 

f) Storage

   container

   water content

   temperature

   other relevant details

 

g) Pregermination treatment

Dry seed - seed coat degradation,

 scarification

 heat treatment

 

Seed coat digestion

 material

 duration

 rinse

 

Seed imbibition

 period

 temperature

 

Warm stratification

 constituents of the medium and proportions

 ratios of seed to medium

 additives

 container

 temperature - provision and duration

 unit size

 monitoring

 

Chilling

 constituents of the medium and proportions

 ratios of seed to medium

 container

 temperature – provision and duration

 unit size

 monitoring

 

h) Sowing

 container

 medium - constituents and proportions, inc additives

 density – broadcast or station sown

 covering

 watering

 temperature

 

i) Germination

 emergence – daily records

 any relevant descriptions or peculiarities

 

j) Transfer to liner production

 seedling quality

 compost details

 container

 environment

 

Having collected the data – it is now important to use it – ie correlate, analyse and develop protocols and year on year refine one’s processes and protocols.