Banking Wyoming big sagebrush seeds

Abstract

Five commercially produced seed lots of Wyoming big sagebrush (<i>Artemisia tridentata</i> Nutt. var. <i>wyomingensis</i> (Beetle &amp; Young) S.L. Welsh [Asteraceae]) were stored under various conditions for 5 y. Purity, moisture content as measured by equilibrium relative humidity, and storage temperature were all important factors to successful seed storage. Our results indicate that no losses in germination will occur for at least 5 y if seeds are cleaned to 66 to 80% purity, dried to 30% equilibrium relative humidity, sealed in moisture-proof containers, and kept frozen at temperatures ≤ 8 °C. Because they can deteriorate rapidly, Wyoming big sagebrush seeds should be dried, cleaned, and placed in storage soon after harvest.