What is treeseedhandbook.info?
This project started as an ISTA-OECD joint project.
The www.treeseedhandbook.info project was launched in Verona (Italy) in April 2013 by Fabio Gorian, at that time Italian representative within OECD Forest Seed and Plant Scheme and Chair of the ISTA Forest Tree and Shrub Technical Committee.
In 2016 the proposal to develop an Electronic handbook on seeds and seedlings of forestry species was approved by both the International organizations OECD and ISTA.
In 2021 OECD has decided to step out of this project and ISTA is continuing the project on its own.
The aim is to provide users with a useful tool to identify seeds and seedlings and to facilitate the international trade of these materials. This handbook was developed as a database and it provides comprehensive information on seed testing and nursery practices.
www.treeseedhandbook.info is a website dedicated to sharing testing seed procedures and seedlings nursery practices of woody species from all over the world. Whether you are a research scientist, an analyst, or simply curious about a plant that you have sown in a nursery or a seed you try to test in a laboratory, we invite you to search, download, and print data regarding the species available in the collection.
The treeseedhandbook.info is more than just a collection of data. It is also a collaborative project. We invite you to share your own data and images. See contributing for more information.
Aims
www.treeseedhandbook.info uses the ever evolving possibilities of the internet to:
Popularise data and images of seed testing and nursery practices worldwide.
Improve accessibility on tree seeds, & increase knowledge of them.
So, data and images are here for
- enjoyment
- education
- conservation
- science
How it works
On the database homepage there is the list of the species in alphabetic order. Clicking on a letter, a list of species is displayed, whose botanical name starts with that letter. Clicking on the species name, opens the relevant sheet.
The handbook is shaped as a database on tree and shrub species, with text and images. In this database each species has an individual file. The standard file is printable and it is composed of three sections. The first one is about seed testing; the second one is about the seedling nursery practices and the last contains general information, references and other useful data. Each field (i.e. substrate, germination time, tetrazolium etc.), is dated and the source of the information given (i.e. the name of the laboratory, ISTA rules, AOSA rules, etc.).
Each species has a wide iconography with drawings and pictures, in order to help the users to identify the species and facilitate the work of both analysts and nurseries.
OECD
The OECD Forest Seed and Plant Scheme seeks to encourage the production and use of forest tree seeds or plants that have been collected, processed, raised, labelled and distributed in a manner that ensures their trueness to name. This certified material is intended for use in a variety of forestry functions, including timber production, soil protection, and environmental criteria. The OECD Forest Seed and Plant Scheme is open to OECD members as well as members of the UN or WTO. To date, 29 participating countries implement the Scheme, including tropical countries developing their seed exchange for reforestation purposes. OECD certified forest seeds and plants are produced and officially controlled according to harmonised procedures.
For more Information
ISTA
ISTA is an independent organisation supported by the non-profit cooperation of experienced seed scientists and analysts. An authority in seed science and technology, we have been developing seed testing methods since 1924. ISTA members work together to achieve their vision of 'Uniformity in seed quality evaluation worldwide'. Our Association produces internationally agreed rules for seed sampling and testing, accredits laboratories, promotes research, provides international seed analysis certificates and training, and disseminates knowledge in seed science and technology. This facilitates seed trading nationally and internationally, and also contributes to food security.
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