Prendergast, F. Grace
Job TitleMicropropagation Specialist
DepartmentJodrell Laboratory
SectionConservation Biotechnology
Science Teams:
Joined Kew: 1983
Foreign Language(s): French, German, Portuguese
Qualifications & Appointments
BSc, Applied Biology, Coventry Univ., 1988
PG Dip. Manag., Thames Valley Univ., 1995.
Vice Chair, Cypripedium committee (UK).
Role
Research into micropropagation and reintroduction of endangered orchid species, using symbiotic germination and in vitro techniques.
Research into seed storage, viability and germination, including symbiotic germination, fungal isolation and maintenance of orchid endophytes; In vitro propagation and acclimatization of orchids for ex situ conservation; Re-introduction, including UK Schedule 8 species such as Cypripedium calceolus, the Ladies slipper orchid, through liaison with conservation agencies; Collaborative research with scientists at Kew and other organizations; Training and managing staff, students and professional visitors.
Projects
Selected Recent Publications
- Prendergast, G. (2002) 'Orchid Re-introductions – Orchid Conservation Through Propagation from Seeds' Conference Proceedings: Return of the Natives - The re-introduction of Native Species Back into Their Natural Habitat’ Conference. Peoples Trust for Endangered Species / MammAliens - A one day conference on Problems caused by Non-Native British Mammals. People's Trust for Endangered Species / Mammals Trust UK 2003.
- Salman, R. S., Prendergast, F.G. & Roberts, P. (2002) Germination of Dactylorhiza fuchsii seeds using fungi from non-orchid sources. In Kindlmann, P., Willems, J.H. & Whigham, D.F. (eds) Trends and fluctuations and underlying mechanisms in terrestrial orchid populations. Leiden: Backhuys Publishers.
Selected Earlier Publications
- Pritchard, H.W. & Prendergast, F.G. (1989). Factors influencing the germination and storage characters of orchid pollen. In Pritchard, H.W. (ed) Modern Methods in Orchid Conservation: The Role of Physiology, Ecology and Management. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 1–16.
- Pritchard, H.W. & Prendergast, F.G. (1990). Viability Testing in Terrestrial Orchid Seed. Proceedings of the Symposium of Biology & Ecology of European Orchids. 11–16.
- Prendergast, G. (1994). Growing Epipactis seeds at Kew. Orchid review 102:199-203.
- Ramsay, M.M., Stewart, J. & Prendergast, F.G. (1994). Conserving endangered British orchids. In Pridgeon, A. (ed) Proceedings 14th World Orchid Congress, Glasgow. Edinburgh: HMSO. 176–179.
- Cribb, P., Hall, A. & Prendergast, G. (1995). The Genus Epipactis in Cultivation. Orchid Review 103
