A Comparison of Seed Longevity of Eastern Tree Species Jillian Pieciak and Dr. Vandermast Elon University, Elon, NC Aged seeds will have lower overall germination rates and lower proportion of seeds with living embryo as determined with tetrazolium chloride testing than young seeds. Seven species of seeds were studied, comparing old seeds to young seeds. Preserved seeds were stored in ˚C with minimal moisture for 15 years. The species include the following: Kesseler R and Stuppy W Seeds: time capsules of life. London:Papadakis. 255p. Long RL, Panetta FD, Steadman KJ, Probert R, Bekker RM, Brooks S, and Adkins SW Seed persistence in the field may be predicted by laboratory-controlled aging. Weed Science. 56(4): Common NameScientific Name Red Maple Acer rubrum Sugar Maple Acer saccharum Yellow Poplar Liriodendron tulipifera Red Spruce Picea rubens White Pine Pinus strobus Rhododendron Rhododendron maximum Eastern Hemlock Tsuga canadensis Abstract Methods References Introduction Hypothesis Species Being Studied Results and Discussion The hypothesis was not supported, but some seed species have proven to survive up to fifteen years, including L. tulipifera and A. saccharum. Staining with tetrazolium chloride showed that 7-60% of aged seeds and % of new seeds contained viable seed tissue. Low germination trends were attributed to damping off by fungi. Figure 1. Layout of pots in the greenhouse when first planted. Figure 2 (left) shows new P. strobus sprouts after one month. Figure 3 (center) shows 15 year old P. strobus seeds after tetrazolium treatment. Figure 4 (right) shows a 15 year old L. tulipifera sprout after one month. Efforts are currently underway to preserve plant seeds for extended periods of time, due to a number of threats to plant populations: Climate change Emerging infectious diseases Invasive species Anthropogenic factors These efforts are expensive and require much technology though. Methods of preservation must be determined that can be made accessible to more people to have greater success overall. Fifteen-year-old seeds and new seeds of the same species were stratified for three months before being planted in the Elon University greenhouse and germinated for three months. Results indicate that both sugar maple and yellow-poplar germinated, suggesting seeds of these species can remain viable for at least 15 years. Results of the other species were equivocal: no older seeds germinated but some younger seeds did. A tetrazolium chloride test indicated survivorship for all species. Low germination is attributable to damping-off in the greenhouse after planting. Fungal growth was a problem on seeds during stratification and could have contributed to the poor germination results. Results suggest that individuals can preserve seeds of at least some eastern forest woody species. Germination rates and viability were determined and analyzed from data collected Remaining seeds were treated with tetrazolium chloride to determine embryo tissue viability Seeds were germinated for two months, through June and July 2013 Seeds were planted in the Elon University greenhouse by species and age class Seeds were stratified for three months and treated with fungicide Figure 5. Percent germination in new and aged seeds. Figure 6. Percent embryo viability based on tetrazolium chloride testing in new and aged seeds.