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Amelanchier (alnifolia)

John T. Harrington
Professor
New Mexico State University-Mora Research Center
P. O. Box 359
Mora, New Mexico 87732-0359
575-387-2319
575-387-9012 (fax)
joharrin@nmsu.edu
www.arborday.org

Family Scientific Name: Rosaceae
Family Common Name: Rose Family
Scientific Name: Amelanchier alnifolia (Nutt.) Nutt. ex M. Roemer
Common Name: Western serviceberry
Species Code: AMAL
General Distribution: Western serviceberry is a deciduous shrub or small tree occurring in numerous habitat types and plant communities in the United States and Canada, ranging from California north to Alaska east to Quebec and south to Colorado and Utah (Howard 1997).
Propagation Goal: plants
Propagation Method: seed
ProductType: Container (plug)
Stock Type: 164 ml conetainer
Time To Grow: 0
Target Specifications: Height: 15 to 20 cm Caliper: 2 to 3 mm Root System: Firm root plug.
Propagule Collection: Fruits, which are berrylike pomes containing 4 to 10 small seeds, turn blue purple in July to August when ripe (Brinkman and Strong 2002 ). Fruits should be picked as soon as possible after ripening, to avoid losses from birds and other animals, and should be kept cool and dry until processing (Brinkman and Strong 2002).
Propagule Processing: Fruits are macerated in water, and seeds are washed over screens to remove the pulp (Brinkman and Strong 2002).
Pre-Planting Treatments: Seeds are surface sterilized by a 2-hour soak in 3% hydrogen peroxide, soaked overnight (8-12 hours) in water and stratified at 3 to 5 C for a minimum of 100 days (until at least 15% germination has occurred during stratification). Hydrogen peroxide treatment involves submersing seeds in a sufficient volume of hydrogen peroxide to completely cover the seeds and stirring vigorously for at least 30 seconds at the start of treatment. Following treatment, the seeds are rinsed under running tap water for several minutes. After 60 days of stratification, seeds are checked every 2 weeks and germinants are removed from stratification and transplanted. The remaining seeds are thoroughly rinsed and returned to stratification. Removing germinants frequently helps to reduce fungal build up in the seed lot during the remainder of stratification, and increases the survival odds for those seeds germinating during stratification.
Growing Area Preparation/
Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:
Propagation occurs in a greenhouse and outdoor nursery (shadehouse) facility. During establishment and the initial portion of the active growth period seedlings are kept in the greenhouse. During the later portion of the active growth period through the storage period seedlings are kept in the shadehouse. Seed is sown in early May and seedlings are moved into the shadehouse in late June when seedlings are between 7 and 10 cm tall. Growing media is a 2:1:1 (v:v:v) peat:perlite:vermiculite mixture. Controlled release fertilizer 14-14-14 (N-P-K) 3 -4 month is incorporated into the media at the rate of 4 kg/m3. Greenhouse and shadehouse irrigation is provided via computer controlled irrigation system utilizing RainBird plastic MPR nozzles. Irrigation heads are spaced to provide head to head coverage. Seedlings are fertilized using a fertigation system, which utilizes the irrigation system.
Establishment Phase: The top of the media is dibbled between 2 and 4 mm and seed is placed in the dibble hole. A 2 to 5 mm layer of fine chicken grit is placeof the top of the media/seed to serve as a gravel mulch. The containers are irrigated 4 to 8 times daily to keep the surface of the media moist. Greenhouse night and day temperatures range from 18 to 26 C and no supplemental light is provided. Thinning of germinants to one seedling per cell begins after 14 days. The container system allows for the consolidation of germinants to separate containers, which are removed from daily misting. Consolidation begins after 14 days.
Length of Establishment Phase: 28 days
Active Growth Phase: The first portion (through week 4 to 5) of the active growth phase is performed in the greenhouse. The remaining 8 to 10 weeks is performed in the shade house. Containers are irrigated as needed, which usually involves irrigation once every 4 to 5 days for the first several weeks then one every 2 to 3 days through the remainder of the active growth period. Containers are allowed to dry down to a moderate state between irrigations. This irrigation regime is used to help minimize root disease problems. All irrigations are done early in the morning, which allows foliage to sufficiently dry before nightfall, minimizing foliar disease problems. During the active growth phase, seedlings are fertigated every other irrigation with a liquid based fertilizer (20-10-10; N-P-K) at a rate of 50 ppm N until they attain the target shoot height (15 to 18 cm). During the greenhouse portion of the active growth period greenhouse temperatures during the day are 21 to 26 C and during the night 18 to 22 C. Ambient photoperiod is supplemented with 5 min light interruptions every 2 hours throughout the night from 75 watt incandescent lights suspended 2 meters above greenhouse benches. Once transferred outside, ambient temperature and light regimes are utilized.
Length of Active Growth Phase: 12 to 15 weeks
Hardening Phase: This phase begins in late summer to early fall as soon as seedlings attain their target shoot height. Containers are leached with a heavy irrigation and a series of incrementally increasing water stresses is applied to restrict any further height growth. In Las Cruces, ambient day temperatures are still quite warm, but the interval between irrigations becomes progressively longer due to seedlings becoming acclimated to water deficits and the gradual cooling associated with the onset of fall. Seedlings are fertilized every third irrigation (fertigated) with a liquid based fertilizer (10-30-20; N-P-K) at a rate of 25 ppm N.
Length of Hardening Phase: 4 to 6 weeks
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: Seedlings are kept in the shadehouse through the winter and are usually shipped in late February to early March. Irrigation intervals are extended during this period and fertilizer is provided every fourth irrigation as described above.
Length of Storage: 5 months
References: Brinkman, K.A., and T.F. Strong. 2002. Amelanchier Medik. serviceberry. In: Bonner, FT. Woody Plant Seed Manual interim website; www.wpsm.net Washington, DC: USDA Forest Service. Accessed November 27, 2002.

Howard, J. L. 1997. Amelanchier alnifolia. In: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (2002, September). Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ Accessed November 26, 2002].

[ITIS] Integrated Taxonomic Information System. 2001. [Online]. http://www.itis.usda.gov. Accessed November 11, 2002.

Citation:

Rosner, Lee S.; Harrington, John T. 2002. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Amelanchier alnifolia (Nutt.) Nutt. ex M. Roemer plants 164 ml conetainer; New Mexico State University-Mora Research Center Mora, New Mexico. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/03/29). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.