propagation of rare and endangered species at the state botanical garden of georgia
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Propagation of Rare and Endangered Species at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. Dr. Jim Affolter University of Georgia 2010 Curators Workshop. Silene polypetala Fringed Campion. The State Botanical Garden of Georgia. A unit within the University of Georgia - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Propagation of Rare and Endangered Species at the State
Botanical Garden of Georgia
Dr. Jim Affolter
University of Georgia
2010 Curators Workshop
Silene polypetalaFringed Campion
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia• A unit within the University of Georgia• 313 acres, including 35 acres of accessioned collections• Serves a university and public audience, ca. 200,000
visitors annually• Member of the Center for Plant Conservation and Botanic
Gardens Conservation International
Why do we propagate rare and endangered species?
• Ex situ safeguarding• Reintroduction projects• Research• Public display
Lindera melissifolia is a federally protected species threatened by the recent spread of laurel wilt disease
Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance (GPCA)
• Membership includes
botanical gardens,
NGOs, government
agencies, utility companies, colleges and universities in the state
• Established in 1995• Collaborate on rare plant
research, management and education projects
Elliottia racemosa
Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance GPCA Member Organizations• Atlanta Botanical Garden
• Atlanta History Museum• Callaway Gardens• Chattahoochee Nature Center• Coastal Plain Research Arboretum• Fort Valley State University• Georgia Botanical Society• Georgia Department of Natural Resources• Georgia Department of Transportation• GA Exotic Pest Plant Council• Georgia Native Plant Society• Georgia Power• Georgia Southern Botanical Garden• Georgia Wildlife Federation• Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research
Station• The Nature Conservancy of Georgia • TNC at Fort Benning• North Georgia College and State University• The State Botanical Garden of Georgia• The University of Georgia• USDA Forest Service• US Fish and Wildlife Service• Valdosta State University Herbarium• Zoo Atlanta
Typical Propagation Sequence for Rare and Endangered Plants
• Cold stratification• Grow Lab (fluorescent light)• Greenhouse• Outdoor Propagation Area
Ex Situ Safeguarding
Baptisia arachnifera
Reintroduction of Echinacea laevigata and woodland prairie associates
(Heather Alley)
Echinacea associates propagated at SBG for Currahee Mountain Outplanting
• Asclepias viridiflora (S3) Green Milkweed• Clematis ochroleuca (S2) Curly-heads• Helianthus strumosus (NR) Pale-leaf Sunflower• Lysimachia fraseri (S1) Fraser’s Loosestrife• Oligoneuron album (S3) Prairie Goldenrod• Sericocarpus linifolius (NR) Narrow-leaf Whitetop Aster• Symphyotrichum (S2) Georgia Aster
georgianum
Granite Rock Outcrops
• Piedmont rock outcrops support many endemic species and are a unique feature of the southeastern flora
• Outcrops are threatened by development, quarrying, dumping, recreational abuse, and invasive species
Piedmont Rock Outcrop Habitats
• Range from Virginia to Alabama; by surface area ¾ of the outcrops (6,000 acres) are in Georgia
• Granite, gneiss, or quartzite; high in Si and Al, low in Fe and Mg
• Vegetation differs significantly form surrounding plant communities and exhibits a high level of endemism (many species with closest relatives in the arid Southwest and Mexico)
• “Desert islands” in a surrounding sea of mesic environments
Adapting to a Harsh Environment
• High light environment and heat absorbing capacity of rocks result in high summer temperatures
• Rainfall runs off rapidly• Irregular weathering of rock
face creates numerous microenvironments
• Plant adaptations include succulence, reflective hairs, annual life cycle, CAM physiology
Seed Germination Study(Suzzanne Tate)
Analyze stratification requirements needed to break seed dormancy in representative species associated with pied- mont rock outcrops.
Juncus georgianus Juncaceae Endemic
Lindernia monticola Scrophulariaceae Near endemic
Crotonopsis elliptica EuphorbiaceaeAssociate
Hypericum gentianoides HypericaceaeAssociate
Viguiera porteri Asteraceae Near endemic
Aster avitus Asteraceae Endemic
Species with seeds that were available in sufficient quantity
Seeds were exposed to three temperature treatments simulating
seasonal conditions:
• Spring/Fall (18/10°C)
• Summer (35/20°C)
• Winter (8°C)
Juncus georgianus (Summer group)
Seed collected June 29
X = 4, 8, 12, 16 weeks
Juncus georgianusWarm Treatments
Days
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Perc
ent G
erm
inat
ion
0
20
40
60
80
100
Control4 weeks 35/20oC8 weeks 35/20oC12 weeks 35/20oC16 weeks 35/20oC
Juncus georgianusWarm + Cold Treatments
Days
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18Pe
rcen
t Ger
min
atio
n
0
20
40
60
80
100
Control4 weeks 35/20oC, 8 weeks 8oC8 weeks 35/20oC, 8 weeks 8oC12 weeks 35/20oC, 8 weeks 8oC16 weeks 35/20oC, 8 weeks 8oC
Aster avitus (Fall group)
Collected Nov. 6
X = 4, 8, 11
Aster avitusAll Treatments
Days
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Pe
rce
nt G
erm
ina
tion
0
20
40
60
80
100
Control4 weeks 8oC8 weeks 8oC11 weeks 8oC
General Conclusions
• Temperature fluctuations were important in controlling dormancy in all species studied
• Fruit maturation time was a good indicator for stratification times needed to break dormancy and induce germination
• Further research needed to develop production protocols for use of these species in green roof settings, etc.
Pitcherplant Bog
Micropropagation of Georgia Plume
InductionYoung leaf explants TDZ+IAA (1 month)
Shoot developmentSame medium (2 months)
Multiplication & Elongation2iP medium
Rooting and acclimation(2 months)Regenerated plant
Culture lines initiated from populations in the field