Assessing the viability of genebanked seeds from rare, wild plants native to the United States using the D.E.A.D. paradigm

Abstract Premise Genebanks must maintain viable seeds for decades. Seeds that germinate are clearly alive, but some seeds, often from wild populations, do not germinate because they are dormant, empty, aged, or damaged (D.E.A.D.). This work evaluates the effects of D.E.A.D. factors on genebanked seeds using a unique dataset to improve genebanking practices and standards for ex situ conservation of seed collections. Methods Seeds from over 100 species were recently collected from the same populations as seeds that were genebanked decades ago. Germination proportion and speed were measured after applying various temperature, chemical, or seed coat abrasion treatments. Viability was further tested using vital staining of samples with a low germination proportion. Proportions of dormant, empty, aged, and damaged seeds were compared between seed cohorts. Results Germination proportion and speed varied among samples, and cues to stimulate germination of dormant seeds were identified for individual species, leading to a positive correlation between viability metrics of germination and vital staining. Empty seeds primarily contribute to low germination in this study. Aging, indicated by lower and slower germination, was evident in several of the stored samples, compared to those that had been recently harvested. Discussion This unique approach demonstrates the feasibility of genebanking seeds from diverse endangered plant species using freezer storage. Genebanking methods that are more relevant for crop seeds need to be modified when applied to seeds from wild populations because the sample sizes tend to be small and the seeds tend to germinate slowly and asynchronously.

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Publication Details

Journal
Applications in Plant Sciences
Published
2025-12-30
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/aps3.70035
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Seed Germination and Physiology
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.75
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article

Assessing the viability of genebanked seeds from rare, wild plants native to the United States using the D.E.A.D. paradigm

Noah Dell, Katherine Markstein, Joyce Maschinski, Jason J. Ligon et al.
1 citations
Applications in Plant Sciences
Seed Germination and Physiology
1.75
article

Assessing the viability of genebanked seeds from rare, wild plants native to the United States using the D.E.A.D. paradigm

Noah Dell, Katherine Markstein, Joyce Maschinski, Jason J. Ligon, Alexandra E. Seglias, Hannah M. Tetreault, Kristen C. Nelson, Thomas N. Kaye, Sheila E. Murray, Heather E. Schneider, Steve Blackwell, Nathaniel H. Kingsley, Carrie A. Radcliffe, Robert M. Jetton, Dustin Wolkis, Katherine D. Heineman, Jessamine Finch, Lisa M. Hill, David Sollenberger, David Remucal, Emily E. D. Coffey, Cheryl Birker, Michael Kunz, L.W. Blackmore, Christina Walters, Stacy Anderson, Shaimaa Ibrahim, Kate Wellspring, Wendy Gibble, Kris Freitag, Nicholas Matsumoto, Matthew A. Albrecht, Anita Tiller
article en
1 citations

Abstract

Abstract Premise Genebanks must maintain viable seeds for decades. Seeds that germinate are clearly alive, but some seeds, often from wild populations, do not germinate because they are dormant, empty, aged, or damaged (D.E.A.D.). This work evaluates the effects of D.E.A.D. factors on genebanked seeds using a unique dataset to improve genebanking practices and standards for ex situ conservation of seed collections. Methods Seeds from over 100 species were recently collected from the same populations as seeds that were genebanked decades ago. Germination proportion and speed were measured after applying various temperature, chemical, or seed coat abrasion treatments. Viability was further tested using vital staining of samples with a low germination proportion. Proportions of dormant, empty, aged, and damaged seeds were compared between seed cohorts. Results Germination proportion and speed varied among samples, and cues to stimulate germination of dormant seeds were identified for individual species, leading to a positive correlation between viability metrics of germination and vital staining. Empty seeds primarily contribute to low germination in this study. Aging, indicated by lower and slower germination, was evident in several of the stored samples, compared to those that had been recently harvested. Discussion This unique approach demonstrates the feasibility of genebanking seeds from diverse endangered plant species using freezer storage. Genebanking methods that are more relevant for crop seeds need to be modified when applied to seeds from wild populations because the sample sizes tend to be small and the seeds tend to germinate slowly and asynchronously.

Applications in Plant Sciences
California Native Plant Society (US), Oregon State University (US), National Tropical Botanical Garden (US), North Carolina State University (US), Center for Plant Conservation (US), New England Wild Flower Society (US), TD Bank (US), University of Minnesota System (US), Santa Barbara Botanic Garden (US), Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden (US), Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (US), Brooklyn Botanic Garden (US), Desert Botanical Garden (US), Missouri Botanical Garden (US), Denver Botanic Gardens (US), Tower Semiconductor (Israel) (IL), The Arboretum at Flagstaff (US), U.S. National Arboretum (US), Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden (US), San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research (US), Chicago Botanic Garden
Life in Land
Openalex Percentile: Top 10%
Seed Germination and Physiology
1.75
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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