Green shoots even when it’s cold outside

Germination tests in Gunnarsholt

Land and Forest Iceland is entrusted with the critical task of evaluating seed quality for seed merchants operating within Iceland. Upon meeting the minimum germination standards, MAST assumes the responsibility of issuing an official certificate for the specific seed batch. The seed types subjected to rigorous testing encompass barley, edible green fodder, red clover, rape, diverse grass seed varieties, and more.

The germination technique varies based on seed type. Circular germination paper is utilised on plates and in other cases rolled-up paper strips. A total of 400 seeds from each seed batch are meticulously counted and tested for germination, with 50 seeds per plate or roll. Variations exist in seed handling during the test, the duration of cold stimulation, and the temperature at which they are allowed to germinate in a specialized germination cabinet. After a predetermined germination period, the seeds are categorised into germinated, ungerminated, and dead. Subsequently, the outcomes are relayed to the seed vendor and the MAST, which ensures that only seed batches passing the germination test are permitted for market distribution.

Greeneries in a container in Vaglir

At the Land and Forest facilities in Vaglaskógur Forest, a specialized and isolated container serves as a dedicated facility for conducting a range of experiments and quality assessments. This facility plays a crucial role in evaluating samples of forest plants obtained from nurseries. These assessments are meticulously carried out to ascertain the health and overall condition of the plants before determining their suitability for distribution to forestry professionals and practitioners. The timing of these evaluations coincides with the late winter or early spring seasons.

Several experiments are also being conducted in the container. For instance, in recent years, experiments have been conducted with the propagation of the larch hybrid Hrymur using cuttings. Hrymur seeds are scarce, and since this hybrid has proven to be fast-growing and well-suited for Icelandic growing conditions, it is essential to determine the viability and cost-effectiveness of this propagation method. Anne Bau in Gunnarsholt and Rakel Jónsdóttir in Akureyri are among the fortunate individuals at Land and Forest Iceland who have the opportunity to work with greenery long before the vegetation begins to grow outdoors in the spring, even while it is snowing heavily outside, like this year in late March.

Sources: Anne Bau and Rakel J. Jónsdóttir