The Seed Information Database (SID)
The Seed Information Database is an on-going compilation of
species’ seed characteristics and traits, both from the MSBP’s own collections and from the published and unpublished data of many seed biologists worldwide.
Hippocratea parvifolia
The large number of species targeted (>24 000) by the MSB Project provide both the opportunity and the need for the database. Many of those species’ seeds have never been studied before, and any new information on them will be interesting in itself. However, a proportion of those species will pose problems for us, as we try to conserve their seeds, e.g. in storage and germination. We use SID to help with decision support by analysing the large, accumulated datasets, to reveal informative correlations and trends that will allow us to predict outcomes in the absence of specific data.
At the same time as using the various kinds of information about species’ seeds within the MSB Project, we share it with users worldwide via the internet where it is part of Kew’s electronic Plant Information Centre (ePIC). As well as seed trait data, we also provide users with an online seed viability calculation tool, so they can make their own estimates of storage lives and optimal storage conditions.
We welcome collaborations with owners of relevant data, and with scientists and others interested in using all, or large portions of SID’s data in their research.
Contact : sid@kew.org
