People

Adams, John

Job Title Deputy Lab. Manager / Technology Specialist
Department Seed Conservation
Section Technology & Training
Science Teams Millennium Seed Bank Project
Joined Kew 2001
Foreign Language(s)

Qualifications & Appointments

HNC (Applied Biology), 1980.

Role

Maintain high standards of laboratory operating procedures through technical support within the Millennium Seed Bank.

Provision of advice and training to Seed Conservation Dept staff and international visitors on aspects of seed technology, especially moisture measurement. Assist in the delivery of formal training courses. Conduct applied research to improve seed conservation techniques including the development of post-harvest handling techniques that maximise the value of seed conservation collections. Research and development of cost-effective, low-technology solutions for seed-processing and storage for the MSBP’s developing-country partners.

Projects

Investigating Seed Drying: the Development of Low Technology Drying Options and Methods for Measuring Seed Moisture Status

Maximising Seed Quality: Maturity and Post-harvest Studies

Role of ‘Underdeveloped’ Embryos in Germination/ Dormancy Problems

Theme: Post-Harvest Technology

Selected Publications 2001-2005

Manger, K.R., Adams, J. & Probert, R.J. (2003). Selecting seed containers for the Millennium Seed Bank Project: a technical review and survey. In Smith, R.D., Dickie, J.D., Linington, S.H., Pritchard, H.W. & Probert, R.J. (eds) Seed Conservation: turning science into practice. Kew: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 637-652.

Probert, R.J., Manger, K.R. & Adams, J. (2003). Non-destructive measurement of seed moisture. In Smith, R.D., Dickie, J.D., Linington, S.H., Pritchard, H.W. & Probert, R.J. (eds) Seed Conservation: turning science into practice. Kew: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 367-387.

Adams, J. & Newton, C. (2003). Kew's Millennium Seed Bank Project: an education opportunity for schools and visitors. Osmosis No. 24, April 2003: Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS).