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Manhattan Plant Materials Center
USDA-NRCS
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Introduction:
The Manhattan Plant Materials Center (PMC) is one of a national network of plant
centers dedicated to providing vegetative solutions to conservation problems. The
center is owned and operated by the United States Department of Agriculture, Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
This PMC serves a diverse region of the heartland including Kansas, Nebraska, northern
Oklahoma, and eastern Colorado. This area of the country was originally native
grasslands. Annual precipitation rates in this region can vary greatly.
Temperatures fluctuate widely and are often accompanied by high winds. Soil types
also vary widely from the clays of northeastern Oklahoma to the course sandy soils found
in the Nebraska sandhills. The extremes of climate and soil offer a challenging and varied
environment in which conservation plants must survive and flourish to be effective.
It is the pursuit of these elusive, well-adapted, hardy, desirable plants that have the
ability to survive and prosper under adverse conditions that is the real focus of the
Plant Materials Program.
History:
The Center has been in existence in one form or another since the mid-1930's. The
main objectives of the early nursery were to produce woody plant seedlings and learn how
to harvest and process native grass seed needed for the massive revegetation program being
conducted in the great plains during the 1930's. The nursery was reduced in size and
scope during World War II and closed in 1953 due to a US Department of Agriculture
reorganization. The operation of the Center was turned over to Kansas State College
under an agreement with the Soil Conservation Service until 1965. The modern day
Plant Materials Center came into being in 1965 when USDA resumed operation and control of
the Center.
Program Objectives:
The purpose of the plant materials program is to assemble, select, improve, test, and
release plant varieties or germplasm for conservation use; to promote the use of improved
plant materials to meet the priorities and objectives of the national conservation
program, and to encourage commercial production of released materials.
The Manhattan Center has several identified conservation needs that impact its service
area.
1) Plants to stabilize either man induced or natural erosion.
2) Plants to improve the quality and productivity of grazeable range, pasture, and
forest land.
3) Windbreak plants adapted to semiarid regions.
4) Plants for improving wildlife habitat.
5) Plants to control shoreline erosion and improve water quality.
Program Outputs:
1) Cooperative release of over 25 varieties of conservation plant species.
2) Development of management and cultural techniques necessary for establishment and
acceptance of promising plant materials.
3) Technology transfer in the form of technical articles, poster papers, videos,
brochures, plant guides, and tours.
4) Production of foundation quality seed of released varieties.
Tours Available:
Visitors are always welcome at the Manhattan PMC. The staff is eager to share its
enthusiasm for plants and conservation. Public awareness and support are important to the
success of the program.
Manhattan Plant Materials Center
USDA/NRCS
3800 South 20th Street
Manhattan, KS 66502
Phone: (785) 539-8761
Fax: (785) 539-6928 |
