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Prairie seed genetics

Concern about the genetic origin of prairie seed is legitimate, especially 
when a planting is going to be done near a native prairie remnant.   In Iowa, 
the Natural Resources Conservation Service recommends using local-origin 
prairie seed when planting near a remnant, and is doing some work  (as are 
some other conservation agencies) to encourage the availability of 
Iowa-ecotype prairie seed.   

But the problems of availability and cost are far from solved.    
Bulk-harvested seed from mixed-species local-ecotype plantings could help.   
But that kind of seed is still having trouble finding acceptance in some 
agencies.

An article in the 10/12/00 issue of NATURE, called "Seeds of Doubt,"  
expressed concern about the implications of moving wildflower seed from one 
area to another because of potentially "diluting and modifying the local 
genetic resources."   The article ends as follows:  "The history of plant and 
animal introductions is littered with catastrophes.   These reports 
concerning the implications of moving genes between populations suggests that 
caution is needed here also."  

Unfortunately, there is evidence that two new prairie grass fungal diseases 
were introduced into Iowa because of the planting of western-cultivar grasses 
here.   These diseases have apparently moved from cultivar plantings into 
some remnants, and the long-term implications are unknown.  

In case someone on the listserve is new to this issue, which can be 
confusing, what matters is not where the prairie seed is raised or sold, but 
where the original (ancestral) seed was collected.   Western-cultivar prairie 
grass seed is being raised and sold in Iowa.   But genetically, it is still 
from Oklahoma, Texas, or wherever the original seed was collected.   And of 
course these western cultivar grasses were often bred for forage vigor.   
These and other distant-origin prairie plants often do not look or behave 
like native Iowa prairie plants.   I've heard a couple of reports of cultivar 
switchgrass, planted next to remnants, moving into the remnants and behaving 
somewhat like an invasive exotic.  

Certain states have or are developing seed-tagging programs that try to 
ensure that buyers will know the genetic origins of prairie seed.   Buying 
from reputable dealers can help.   It is also important to ask if 
local-ecotype seed is available, and specify it if you want it.  Some dealers 
 handle both local and distant-origin seed, and supply local-origin seed only 
to those who ask, because of limited quantities.

It may not be possible to get seed from within twenty miles of one's planting 
site, as some prairie planters are able to do.   But it might be possible to 
get seed from within 100 or 150 miles of one's planting site, instead of 
distant or unknown-origin cultivars.   And everyone who is working in a big 
or small way to educate people about the seed-source issue is helping  (thank 
you!)   


Cindy Hildebrand
grantridge@aol.com
57439 250th St.
Ames, IA  50010

"I can see them now, the cocks leaping and strutting, with trailing wings and 
down-thrust heads, displaying their bulbous orange-colored neck ornaments 
while the hens flutter and squawk in silly delight."   (Hamlin Garland)
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