Preparations for Alaska's 2008 growing season continue with the Alaska Plant Materials Center's (PMC) announcement that its annual open request period for foundation seeds for grass and grain will run from April 16-30, Agronomist Andy Nolen said today.

"It's important for Alaska's growers to have access to sufficient quantities of high-quality seed that is well suited to Alaska's climate and soils," said Nolen. "This open request period helps us at the Plant Materials Center get the right seed to the growers at the right time, and also lets us know if we need to produce more of any particular variety in the future."

After selecting the appropriate plants to generate a first generation of "breeder-class" seeds, the PMC grows foundation seeds for sale to commercial growers. These growers use foundation seed to grow their own crop of "certified" seeds, which they then sell directly to farmers or end users like construction companies. Alaska growers produce about 25 percent of all seeds used in Alaska, Nolen said.

While the majority of foundation seed produced by the PMC is for grasses native to Alaska -- used for landscaping, for roadside revegetation and other uses - a significant amount is also used for grains. The seeds available this year include varieties such as oats, barley, rye, slender wheatgrass and a large number of other native grasses and forbs.

A list of the available foundation seed lots, including quantities, varieties and prices, will be posted on the Division of Agriculture's web page immediately prior to the open request period. The link will also describe how growers may request foundation seeds. The seed is available at the PMC, located at 5310 South Bodenberg Spur in Palmer.

While PMC hopes to accommodate all demand for foundation seeds, the request period may reveal that the demand exceeds the available supply, Nolen said. In that case, allocation of the seed will be made by an allocation committee, consisting of:

•The director of the Division of Agriculture (or his designee)
•A representative of the University of Alaska, Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station
•A representative of the Alaska Seed Growers Association
•A representative of the Alaska Plant Materials Center

A second open request period will be held from Aug. 1-15. This second period will make seed available that may not have been ready in April; let growers adjust planting plans to meet market demands; let growers take advantage of the fall seeding window; and give growers who might have missed the spring period a chance to secure seed, Noen said.

"Everyone involved in farming and agriculture looks forward to spring and the start of a new growing season," said Nolen. "Our annual announcement of the availability of foundation seeds is another milestone in that process, and we're proud to play an important part in supporting Alaska's agriculture industry."