March 23, 2011 March Seed of the Month Can you identify this seed? Steve Hurst. Provided by ARS Systematic Botany and Mycology Laboratory. Turkey. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ CSAAC Breaking Dormancy March 23, 2011 Page 1 of 17 February Seed of the Month Verbascum thapsus L. Common mullen U.S. National Seed Herbarium image: collected by P. Russell from Washington, D.C., United States [photographed by Steve Hurst*] __________________________________________________________________________________________________ CSAAC Breaking Dormancy March 23, 2011 Page 2 of 17 Distribution Map: Verbascum Thapsus L. Common mullen __________________________________________________________________________________________________ CSAAC Breaking Dormancy March 23, 2011 Page 3 of 17 Did you know that Continuing Education points can be earned by writing articles for the Germination Magazine? CSAAC needs members to write articles that can be submitted for printing in the Germination Magazine which is published 4 times a year. We would like to be able to have an inventory of articles ready to go, so we are not scrambling at the last minute to meet our deadline. These articles provide your fellow analysts, as well as other seed industry members with technical information on seeds that they might not find anywhere else. It also reminds readers of what seed testing is all about. The articles are a challenge to write, but can also be fun and exciting as you research a topic and put your ideas onto paper. The articles are to be no more than 500 words. Don’t let that scare you. When you have an interest in a topic, the words will come. Check your word count easily by going to “Tools” option and clicking on “Word Count”. I have at this point 169 words already! And now 174! Topics can be on Seed Identification, Seed Testing, Germination, Purity, Challenges in the Seed Industry, or any other topic of interest. I have written a few over the years and it is good to have an “editor” to look it over and give you feedback. Frank at the CSAAC office can do that for you; or I can if you like. It is just for a double check. When writing, it is important to keep it in the 3rd person which limit using many “I’s” in the article; or saying “well” instead of “while”. Having an editor check things like that just makes it easier. (Feel free to come up with any topic you wish; Please check with Frank at the CSAAC office first in case it is already being done.) Each member who submits a topic will get 2 points on the Continuing Education requirements. A way to get points without traveling any further than your computer! If you wish, you can have your name and contact information attached to the article as well for exposure to your lab. Or you can write them anonymously. It is your choice. Any Potential Writers Out There – We need you! Please e-mail Frank at CSAAC office or myself if you require any further information. Frank Lewis [email protected] or Betty Girard [email protected] __________________________________________________________________________________________________ CSAAC Breaking Dormancy March 23, 2011 Page 4 of 17 The table below gives a list of articles previously written by other contributors. If you can write an article by the proposed deadline (see chart) below. Please forward the information to the CSAAC office. Articles for Germination Magazine __________________________________________________________________________________________________ CSAAC Breaking Dormancy March 23, 2011 Page 5 of 17 CSAAC Annual Meeting, 2011 Plans are moving ahead for the 2011 Annual Meeting. It is scheduled to be held in Montreal, Q.C on June 27 – 29. The Board of Directors’ meeting will be held on June 27, the workshop on June 28 and the members open forum and annual meetings on June 29. Workshop and meetings will also be at the Maritime Hotel, located in downtown Montreal. Rooms have been blocked off and will be available to CSAAC members until April 26th 2011 at the special room rate per night of $129.00, inclusive of high-speed internet, locals calls, parking for single or double occupancy plus 17% tax (Room Tax 3.5%) + 5% GST +8.5% PST). Please note, when making the room reservation, make reference to Government National Research Council. Dinner is planned for the night of June 28. We will be joined by some members of the Quebec Seed Conditioners who will be meeting in Montreal at the same time. Further details about the workshop will be in the April Breaking Dormancy Newsletter. Note: You are asked to make your hotel reservation before April 26th, because there are many activities going on in Montréal during the same period, so the hotel would not hold rooms after April 26th. SCST Referees CSAAC members are encouraged to participate in the series of referees and/or surveys indicated below. You can earn continuing education points by participation and completing any of these referees or surveys. Region 2 Online Virtual Referee: The online virtual referee is now available, each participant will receive 2 continuing education points (please note you must include your name on the survey to receive the points, this information will be kept confidential). Please complete the referee by April 30, 2011 Referee Link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GWX59MN Partridge pea referee survey: The Southern Region Referee is focused on development of a standard lab procedure for partridge pea. Thank you for taking the time to fill out this short survey. Please return results by April 1, 2011 via email: [email protected] or fax: 859-257-7351. Only one set of responses per laboratory (or location) is necessary. Thanks! Tall fescue referee participation: The samples for the national tall fescue blowing point referee are being put together. Cindy Finneseth is the project coordinator, the samples will be sent from the SCST office. The main objective of the referee is to compare the uniformity and timeliness of separating inert matter from tall fescue blind samples representing different varieties, seed sizes, production regions and cleaning levels using: a) the current AOSA method, b) a uniform blowing procedure __________________________________________________________________________________________________ CSAAC Breaking Dormancy March 23, 2011 Page 6 of 17 (UBP), and c) a modified UBP where both the light and heavy fractions are examined. A detailed protocol will be sent to the laboratories that decide to participate. If your laboratory would like to participate in this referee please respond to Anita Hall by April 1, 2011. Please include a contact name and mailing address. Anita Hall, Executive Director Society of Commercial Seed Technologists, Inc. 101 East State St., #214 Ithaca, NY 14850, USA Telephone: 607-256-3313 Fax: 607-273-1638 Cell phone: 607-592-2951 [email protected] www.seedtechnology.net HOTEL Maritime Plaza 1155, rue Guy, Montréal (Québec) H3H 2K5 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ CSAAC Breaking Dormancy March 23, 2011 Page 7 of 17 Reservations: Tel. (514) 932-1411 Toll Free 1-800-363-6255 Fax: (514) 932-0446 email: [email protected] Internet reservations: www.hotelmaritime.com ___________________________________________________________________ Commercial Seed Analysts Association of Canada 67th Annual Meetings and Workshop Montréal, Québec June 27-29, 2011 Hotel Registration Form Please complete and return to the Hotel Maritime If not using this form, please be certain to indicate “CSAAC Meeting” – Government National Research Council to receive the CSAAC rate. First Name ____________________________ Last Name ___________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________________________ City ____________________________ Prov/State ____________ Postal Code/Zip ______________ Phone No. _________________________________ Fax No. ______________________________ Email _____________________________________ 1 bedroom, single or double occupancy, per night: $129 + 17% taxes Hotel arrival date _________________________ Time _________________ Hotel departure date ______________________ Time _________________ Number of adults ________ Number of children ________ Credit card name and # ______________________________________ Exp. Date __________ Children 12 years and under free sharing room with parents. Check-in time from 3 pm, Check out time noon Reservations must be guaranteed with a major credit card at time of booking. Failure to cancel a guaranteed reservation by 4 pm on the day of arrival will incur the cost of the first night’s accommodation plus tax. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ CSAAC Breaking Dormancy March 23, 2011 Page 8 of 17 CSAAC 67th Annual Meeting Hotel Maritime Plaza 1:00 pm, June 29, 2011 Preliminary AGENDA for Business Meeting 1. Call to order – Dianne Gilhuly 2. Opening and Presidential address – Dianne Gilhuly 3. Approval of Minutes of last annual meeting – Dianne Gilhuly 4. Affiliate Organizations greetings and updates a. Canadian Seed Trade Association b. Canadian Seed Institute c. Canadian Seed Growers Association d. Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Seed Section e. Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Seed Lab f. International Seed Testing Association g. Society of Commercial Seed Technologists 5. Regional Directors and Committee reports a. Eastern Regional Director – Christine DeRooy b. Central