Seed Storage Policies and Procedures

A. Two seed storage areas are in room A1 in the WSU Plant Growth Facility

1. The medium-term seed storage area has 9 sections with 16 shelves and 12 columns.  Each section holds 192 metal boxes.  The medium-term seed storage area is held at 10C and low humidity for approximately 10 years viability.
2. The long-term seed storage area is in the walk-in freezer in A1and is held at -18C. A limited number of shelves and boxes are available for long term storage of valuable seeds (TILLING populations, original mapping populations, genetic stocks). 

All use of the seed storage area is coordinated by the PGF Onsite Advisory Committee.

A. PGF Manager

The manager of the WSU Plant Growth Facility is an On-site Advisory Committee member and may designate a person from the advisory committee to help manage the seed storage facility.

B. WSU Plant Growth Facility On-site Advisory Committee

Members composed of representatives from WSU and USDA.

A. Space Assignment

1. No plant material shall be placed into the facility without documentation and prior approval from the Plant Growth Facility manager or designee.
2. Both medium-term storage (cold room 10C) and long-term storage (freeze chamber -18C) space will be assigned on a per-shelf or half-shelf basis.

B. Requesting Space

1. For both seed storage areas, each user shall submit a Seed Storage Space Request Form. Space requests can be located on the PGF website and will be sent to the manager or designee for review.
2. Material requiring a Biosafety Approval Form must have the BAF submitted with Seed Storage Space Request form for review.
3. All boxes must be labeled outward facing with the unit name and begin date of storage. This includes the main storage area and the freezer.
   1. Each box of seed stored shall be documented using the Seed Inventory template, or similar listing system, to include the Unit name, Principal Investigator name, date, the list of entries and the date for discard.
   2. A paper copy of the Seed Inventory shall be included in the box with the seed.
   3. Document templates can be found on the PGF website.
4. Space is finite. When a program uses up assigned space, seed will have to be relocated or discarded. 
5. The seed storage area is for greenhouse generated material. It is not to be used to store field generated material. Field grown material must be increased in the greenhouse prior to storage in the seed storage facility. Exceptions will be granted rarely and only after review by the PGF On-site Advisory Committee.
   1. Exceptions will be documented on the submitted space request form and included with the seed inventory list.
6. All seed will be stored in containers approved by the WSU PGF advisory committee. Containers were chosen because they can be sealed and are highly insect proof.
7. No loose paper envelopes or bags are allowed in any part of the seed storage facility.
8. Material not stored in compliance with the policies
   1. Improperly Labeled
      1. Unit and/or PI will be contacted up to 3 times to remedy labeling and given a timeframe no less than 60 days from initial contact for addressing concerns.
      2. Material for which a Unit cannot be identified will be flagged by PGF manager and a single email will be sent via distribution list to all users of the PGF with a timeframe of no less than 60 days to claim material.
      3. Labeling issues not addressed within designated time frame shall be removed by the PGF manager and disposed of accordingly.
   2. Improperly Stored
      1. Unit and/or PI will be contacted up to 3 times to remedy storage violations and given a time frame no less than 60 days from initial contact for addressing concerns.
      2. Materials with storage concerns not addressed within designated time frame shall be removed by the PGF manager and disposed of accordingly.

A. Space Assignment

1. To reserve storage space, a space request form is completed and sent to the PGF manager. Forms are available on the PGF website.
   1. Space can be denied by PGF manager and On-site Advisory Committee on a case-by-case basis.
2. Upon space assignment, project leader must select from the approved container list.
3. Complete Seed Inventory list to be included with stored material.
4. Store material in designated location.

• 1 liter plastic containers with screw on lids.
• 5oz specimen cups with screw on lids.
• 2 ml plastic laboratory tubes with snap or screw cap lids.
• Vacuum sealed packages (seal-a-meal) for paper envelopes.
• Sealed 96 well S-Blocks.
• Other containers as approved.

1. The Crown lift should only be used after training.