Scottish wildflower seeds: Production and use

Abstract

Summary In this brief review, the use of wild flower seeds is described as a contribution to the enhancement of biodiversity and as a way of improving grassland and other plant communities. Ecological concerns about sowing seeds in locations that are climatically contrasted to the countries from which the seed is sourced are discussed. Characteristics that aid the spread and survival of normally uncultivated species create difficulties in seed production and use. Establishment of a crop for seed production and subsequent weed control can be troublesome and procedures to achieve these have been developed based on experience. Harvesting methods are selected and modified to suit the maturity and dispersal characteristics of different species. Drying and processing, to ensure the removal of a large proportion of the unwanted material, such as appendages that aid wind dispersal, insect parts and weed seeds, can consist of as many as 10stages for some species. As the final stage in production, seed quality control of wild flower seeds through germination testing has not been routine in the past. Our research has identified appropriate dormancy breaking treatments for a range of species, so that we currently can test the quality of seeds both from different harvest years and periods of storage.