Dr. David James, Extension Specialist in Seed Biology, joined our Department approximately one year ago and is the most recent addition to OSU's Floriculture Program. In addition to his extension responsibilities, his research interest is in the areas of flower seed quality improvement, seed performance enhancement, assessment methods, deve- lopment and refinement of plug plant production systems. Projects he is currently involved in include the following:
1) Improving the germination performance of specialty crop seeds: Many specialty crops started from seed and grown as plugs have extremely poor emergence characteristics. Investigations, in cooperation with plug plant producers as well as commercial seed companies, are working to identifying physiological factors such as seed maturity and dormancy mechanisms that regulate the germination rate and uniformity of seedling growth of specialty flower crop seeds. Findings from these studies will serve as the basis for production of higher quality seed. Related information from this work in regard to optimizing specific germination conditions will also be of direct benefit to plug plant producers.
2) Improving flower seed performance and stand establishment through the application of computer imaging technology: The use of computer imaging systems to interpret the quality and emergence performance of flower seeds is very limited and unavailable to plug plant producers. A project is currently underway in cooperation with Drs. McDonald, Bennett (Horticulture and Crop Science), Dr. Kikuo Fujimura and Mr. Jeremy Loomis (Computer Information Science) to examine how computer based imaging systems can be applied to improve seed quality and germination performance. Specific areas of application of this technology being explored include 1) precision sorting and grading of seeds for enhanced physical purity and uniformity, 2) integration of continuous real time monitoring of seedling development into existing plug production practices, and 3) development of pregermination systems to achieve 100% uniform seedling emergence.
3) The saturated salt accelerated aging test for high value horticultural seeds: New horticultural seed products, such as primed and pregerm seeds, are being marketed to plug plant producers. Most of these products have a very limited shelf-life compared to conventional seed and can deteriorate rapidly if not handled or stored properly. Working with Dr. McDonald, a research project has been initiated to develop a new seed quality testing method know as Saturated Salt Accelerated Aging (SSAA), to better predict the longevity of both conventional and enhanced seed. Availability of this test to growers will provide them a practical means to evaluate their seed storage conditions as well as the value of carry over seed. Seed companies would also be able to use the SSAA test to provide more accurate recommendations to plug plant growers concerning storage life.
