sign in sign up
<<
Home , Uniola, Uniola paniculata

Seaoats paniculata

Propagation Guide

Scientific Name Wetland Indicator Category L. FACU Common Name Growth Form Seaoats Rhizomatous perennial grass, Group stems tall with long and thin leaves Habitat Family , (Gramineae) Uniola paniculata

1 Collection Observe development of Uniola paniculata on and dunes. In coastal and along the northern Gulf of Mexico this generally occurs between June and November (Radford et al. 1968); however, this may vary from year to year depending on weather conditions. The inflorescence of Uniola paniculata is a long dense panicle (a branched cluster of flowers) with ascending branches. Each branch consists of many (100-200) light brown spikelets in a distinctive flattened paddle-shaped arrangement. Uniola paniculata generally produces only a few (six to eight) fertile flowers on a branch (Wagner 1964) and even fewer flowers will produce a brownish mature dry fruit (caryopsis) that contains a single seed. Wagner (1964) reported that Uniola paniculata produced less than two viable per branch. The seeds can be harvested in the field by cutting the stem below the and placing them into large plastic bags. It should be noted that Uniola paniculata is protected in many states and permits may be required before collecting the seeds or material. Not all inflorescences mature at the same time. Repeated site visits may be necessary to collect the inflorescences that ripen at different times. 2 Seed Preparation The Uniola paniculata inflorescences (which contain the seed-bearing spikelets) should be processed as soon as possible after collection. The spikelets can be removed from the inflorescences by hand and air dried at room temperature 70ºF (21ºC) for several weeks. The seeds are then separated from the spikelets by crushing and rubbing the spikelets over a U.S.A. Standard Test Sieve No.10 (2 mm mesh size) to remove the lighter chaff. The collected seeds are cleaned of debris (insects, plant material, fungal- infected seeds) by spreading small amounts of the sieved seeds onto white paper and removing the undesirable material with forceps (tweezers). This is a very time- consuming process, but essential to the successful storage conditions of the seeds. Burgess et al. (2002) reported there are approximately 96,000 seeds per pound dry weight. 3 Seed Storage Distichlis spicata PHOTO CPR The cleaned seeds should be stored dry in sealed containers at room Uniola paniculata with inflorescences temperature at 70ºF (21ºC). Westra and Loomis (1966) reported storage time PHOTO CPR over six months resulted in a decrease in germination. Before attempting germination, place the dry seeds in tap water and put them in the refrigerator for approximately 15 days of cold, wet stratification (Burgess et al. 2002). At this time a (TZ) tetrazolium red dye test can be performed to determine seed viability (see Appendix A). 4 Seed Germination The cold and wet stratified seeds are emptied into a U.S.A. Standard Test Sieve No.18 (1 mm mesh size) and rinsed several times under tap water. This step is best performed in a fume hood or outdoors to reduce odors. The rinsed seeds are placed on wet filter paper in covered glass petri dishes, and tap water is added to cover the seeds. The water level in the petri dishes should be checked periodically to make sure the seeds do not dry out. At least 0.25" (0.7 cm) of water is recommended. Uniola paniculata These petri dishes are placed under a bank of four to six fluorescent grow PHOTO CPR lights (60-100 W, <100 µmol irradiance) until germination occurs. Germination

CENTER FOR PLANT RESTORATION & COASTAL PLANT RESEARCH Propagation Guide

occurs best at temperatures of 95ºF day: 77ºF night (35:25ºC) for 8 and 16 hours respectively (Burgess et al. 2002). Many of the seeds will germinate in about 15 to 30 days. Seedlings should be transplanted at this stage. Burgess et al. (2002) reported that rates of seed germination vary from year to year, and are generally high (70%). 5 Seedling Propagation When the young seedlings are about 0.5" (1.3 cm) in height they can be removed from the glass petri dishes and transplanted into hydrated peat pellets (Jiffy Products -Jiffy 7) using forceps. Planted seedlings are then placed in 20 x 10" (51 x 25 cm) plastic bedding trays (Landmark Plastic - L1020NCR(N) no holes). These hold 50 peat pellets and should be sub-irrigated with tap water on a daily basis. Trays with seedlings are best kept indoors in a temperature controlled room at 81-86ºF (27-30ºC) under fluorescent grow lights (60-100 W, 60-100 µmol irradiance) on a 18:6 hour (light:dark) photoperiod. It is important to keep Uniola paniculata inflorescence the young seedlings in a humid environment for one to two PHOTO CPR weeks after planting. To reduce desiccation use clear plastic propagation domes (Curtis Wagner Plastics -CW221) over the trays. Caution, heat can build up under these domes and kill the seedlings. Temperature should be kept below 95ºF (35ºC ). The trays with seedlings can be placed in a greenhouse and grown for four to six months until they reach a size of at least 6" (15 cm) tall. These larger plants can then be planted into 4 or 6" (10 or 15 cm) diameter containers with a low- organic mixture (2:1 :peat ratio), and kept sub- irrigated for a minimum of six to eight months to form a well- developed mass (Appendix B). Plants are fertilized with a full strength (per manufacturer directions) water-soluble 20-20-20 general purpose fertilizer monthly, poured directly 1 cm onto the soil. When the root mass is well developed these plants are ready to be transplanted to a restoration site or Uniola paniculata inflorescence with spikelets transplanted into larger containers for further growth PHOTO CPR (Appendix C). Alternatively, seedlings can be planted directly into standard 72 well inserts (Dillen Products -D1206), which fit into the plastic bedding trays, in a low-organic soil mixture (2:1 sand:peat ratio). The advantage is that plants grown in these 1.5" (4 cm) plugs will have a quick turnaround time to become root-bound in the nursery and can be easily transported to the restoration site. However, a disadvantage to these plugs is the plants and the root ball are smaller. 6 Vegetative Propagation Successful vegetative propagation protocols are not well-known for this species, and should be further investigated. 1 mm

Uniola paniculata seed PHOTO CPR

CENTER FOR PLANT RESTORATION & COASTAL PLANT RESEARCH Uniola paniculata Propagation Guide

Seedling and Plant Propagation Charts

95ºF (35ºC) 81-86ºF Day (27-30ºC) Ambient 77ºF (25ºC) <95ºF (35ºC) Temperature Temperature Night Controlled

Greenhouse Fluorescent Fluorescent 18:6 Light:Dark Full Sun

Sub-irrigated Submerge Sub-irrigated Peat Pellets/ 0.25" Water Peat Pellets Filter Paper Containers Fertilize Monthly

Seed Germination 2-4 Weeks Seedlings 1-2 Weeks Seedlings 6 Months Container Plants 6-8 Months

Citations CPR Propagation Guide Team Burgess, T.L., F.A. Blazich and D.L. Nash. 2002. Seed germination of southern Dr. Patrick Biber J.D. Caldwell Scott R. Caldwell Matthew Marenberg seaoats (Uniola paniculata) as influenced by stratification, temperature, and light. Journal of Environmental Horticulture 20(3): 180-183. Further Information Radford, A.E., H.E. Ahles and C.R. Bell. 1968. Manual of the Vascular Flora of USDA PLANTS profile: the Carolinas. The University of Press, Chapel Hill, NC. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=UNPA

Wagner, R.H. 1964. of Uniola paniculata in the -strand habitat of Center for Plant Restoration and Coastal Plant Research: North Carolina. Ecological Monographs 34: 79-96. http://sites.google.com/site/coastalplantrestoration/home

Westra, R.N. and W.E. Loomis. 1966. Seed dormancy in Uniola paniculata. Field guide and images of Coastal Mississippi Wetland plant species: American Journal of Botany 53(4): 407-411. http://jcho.masgc.org/

NRCS Jamie L. Whitten Plant Materials Center: Plant Guide for Establishing Coastal Vegetation on the Mississippi Gulf Coast http://www.plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/pubs/mspmspu7271.pdf

Dr. Patrick Biber Email [email protected] Phone 228 872 4200 Fax

228 872 4204 This brochure is funded in part with qualified outer continental shelf oil and gas revenues by the Coastal Impact Assistance Program, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement, U.S. Mail Department of the Interior through a grant award to the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources. 703 East Beach Drive The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Government. Mention of trade names or Ocean Springs, MS 39564 commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Government.