Seed Collecting
Small-Scale Seed Collecting
Most wildland seed is hand collected. There are a variety of tools that can speed up this process. The species being collected often dictates which equipment is appropriate.
Large-Scale Seed Collecting
Grass seed can be harvested by several types of commercial machines. Hard slick seed is relatively easy to harvest while chaffy seed with awns and hairs that impedes the flow of seed through machinery is difficult to harvest. Timing of harvest is of utmost importance because seed development between medium dough and seed shatter can last from a few days to two weeks. Conventional grain combines are widely used alone or following swathing. Combining is a once-over treatment and must conducted when the greatest number of seeds are mature and remain on the plants. Brush harvesters have become popular for many of the chaffy seeded species. They can strip plants multiple times to capture seed crops that mature over a long period. Small plot combines and handheld units are also available. Seeds from shrubs are usually hand stripped and collected in lightweight hoops. Freshly harvested seed is usually high in moisture content and requires drying before processing to prevent damage to the seed.
References/Additional Information
Anon. 2022. Assessing a population for seed collection. Technical Information Sheet 02. UK: Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and Millennium Seed Bank Partnership. 4 p.
Anon. 2022. Measuring seed moisture status using a hygrometer. Technical Information Sheet 05. Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and Millennium Seed Bank Partnership. 2 p.
Anon. 2022. Seed collecting techniques. Technical Information Sheet 03. Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and Millennium Seed Bank Partnership. 2 p.
Basey, A.C.; Fant, J.B.; Kramer, A.T. 2015. Producing native plant materials for restoration: 10 rules to collect and maintain genetic diversity. Native Plants Journal. 16(1): 37-53.
Desai, B.B.; Kotecha, P.M.; Salunkhe, D.K. 1997. Seeds handbook: Biology, production, processing, and storage. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker, Inc. 640 p.
Dykeman, K.; Hallman, D. 1981. Forest Service Equipment Development Center activities. In: 35th Annual Report of the Vegetative Rehabilitation and Equipment Workshop (VREW); 1981 February 8-9; Tulsa, OK. Missoula, MT: USDA Forest Service Equipment Development Center: 46-49. (Report discusses tree shaker and netting to catch cones).
European Native Seed Conservation Network [ENSCONET]. 2009. ENSCONET seed collecting manual for wild species. Edition 1: 32 p.
Glick, B. 2004. Collecting seeds from southeastern US woodland species. Native Plants Journal. 5(1): 48-49.
Gucker, C.L.; Shaw, N. L. 2019. Western forbs: Biology, ecology, and use in restoration. Reno, NV: Great Basin Fire Science Exchange.
Hamernik; M.; Hamernik, H. 2005. Cordless hedge trimmer for seed collection. Native Plants Journal. 6(2): 132.
Houseal, G.A. 2007. Tallgrass Prairie Center's native seed production manual. Faculty Book Gallery 102. Cedar Falls, IA: University of Northern Iowa. 122 p.
Jensen, S. 2004. Racquets, hoppers and felt boards: Low-tech devices for processing seeds. Native Plants Journal. 5(1): 50-51.
Karrfalt, R.P. 2008. Seed harvesting and conditioning, Chapter 3. In: Bonner, F.T.; Karrfalt, R.P., eds. The woody plant seed manual. Ag Handbook 727. Washington, D.C.: USDA, Forest Service. 1228 p.
Pedrini, S.; Gibson-Roy, P.; Trivedi, C.; Galvez-Ramirez, C.; Hardwick, K.; Shaw, N.; Frischie, S.; Laverack, G.; Dixon, K. 2020. Collection and production of native seeds for ecological restoration. Restoration Ecology. 28(3): 228-238.
Stevens, R.; Walker, S.C.; Young, S.; McArthur, E.D.; Vernon, J.; Whittaker, A. 2026. Collecting and cleaning seed of Intermountain wildland shrubs, forbs, and grasses [Draft]. Salt Lake City, UT: Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife Resources. 235 p.
St. John, L.; Ogle, D.G.; Scianna, J.; Winslow, S.; Tilley, D.; Hoag, C. 2010. Plant materials collection guide. Tech Note 1. Boise, ID: USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 16 p.
Tilley, D.J.; Ogle, D.; Cornforth. 2011. The pop test: A quick aid to estimate seed quality. Native Plants Journal. 12(3): 227-232.
Tilley, D.; Taliga, C.; Bair, C. 2018. Case study of in situ harvesting in restored grasslands to increase native seed availability. Native Plants Journal. 19(2): 109-116.
USDI Bureau of Land Management, Seeds of Success. 2023. BLM technical protocol for the collection, study, and conservation of seeds from native plant species for Seeds of Success. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Plant Conservation and Restoration Program. 45 p.
Young, J.A.; Evans, R.A.; Kay, B.L.; Owen, R.E.; Budy, J. 1981. Collecting, processing, and germinating seeds of western wildland plants. U.S. Department of Agriculture Research. Science and Education Administration. Oakland, CA: 44 p.
Young, J.A.; Young, C.G. 1986. Collecting, processing, and germinating seeds of wildland plants. 3rd ed. Portland, OR: Timber Press. 236 p.