Pacific cordgrass seeds mature in the San Francisco Bay area in October; 

 seed heads begin to shatter shortly thereafter. Harvesting must be timed just 

 before shattering when seeds are easily dislodged by tapping the heads or 

 stalks. Mature heads may be harvested by hand either from a boat or by wad- 

 ing. Seeds should be stored in cold saltwater for about 2 weeks to loosen 

 inflorescences. Seeds may then be threshed by placing the heads on a No. 30 

 screen and subjecting them to a strong spray of water from a hose. Viability 

 of seeds is maintained over winter by storing in cold (4° Celsius) freshwater 

 or saltwater (11 to 12 parts per thousand). Saltwater is more effective in 

 preventing germination during storage. Mason (1976) found that satisfactory 

 germination resulted when seeds were placed in freshwater at the end of the 

 storage period. The germination of Pacific cordgrass may be more sensitive to 

 salinity than smooth cordgrass. Viability is not maintained by drying or 

 freezing. Seedling production procedures are the same as for smooth cord- 

 grass. Though 5- to 7-month-old seedlings of Pacific cordgrass have not been 

 tested, it is reasonable to assume that they would perform in a manner similar 

 to smooth cordgrass seedlings. 



The seeds are removed from storage and scattered over the surface of 5- to 

 10-centimeter pots filled with sand (seeds may be germinated in flats and 

 transplanted into pots). Approximately 10 seeds are applied to the surface of 

 each pot and covered with a thin layer of sand. The pots are then irrigated 

 with tapwater and 10-10-10 fertilizer is applied after the seeds have germi- 

 nated (0.25 to 0.50 kilonewton per hectare or 25 to 50 pounds per acre) and as 

 often thereafter as needed to maintain good color and growth or slow-release 

 materials may be mixed in the pot. If the seedlings are to be transplanted in 

 a site where salinity is above 15 parts per thousand the solution should be 

 adjusted with sodium chloride to maintain a salinity comparable to the site 

 (Garbisch, 1977a, 1977b). 



In saturated, fine-grained sediments, the potted seedlings can be inserted 

 into the sediment without the assistance of a shovel or other implement. In 

 sand substrates holes can be opened with a shovel, dibble, or mechanical 

 auger. Pots should be set slightly below the substrate surface and soil 

 firmed tightly around them. 



(3) Plugs . A plug is root-soil mass, 10 to 15 centimeters in 

 diameter and 15 to 20 centimeters deep, which contains roots and a number of 

 stems. Plugs can be used as an alternative to sprigs or nursery seedlings. 

 Plugs are much more expensive than sprigs. However, on the Pacific coast it 

 is often difficult to locate uncrowded stands of cordgrass from which good 

 quality sprigs can be obtained. Consequently, plugs may be used more fre- 

 quently in this region than in other areas. Plugs are harvested from existing 

 marshes which have heavy-textured sediments (Knutson, 1976). An intact root- 

 soil mass cannot be maintained if plugs are excavated from noncohesive, sandy 

 sediments. Similar to potted seedings, plugs should be planted slightly below 

 the substrate surface and soil firmed tightly around them. 



Studies (Newcombe, et al., 1979) in San Francisco Bay have demonstrated 

 the effectiveness of a new type of plug. It has been observed for some time 

 that Pacific cordgrass growing in association with mussels {I sohadium demiseum 

 Dillwyn) form a ripraplike mat which is extremely resistant to wave energy 

 (Pestrong, 1972). Newcombe, et al. (1979) harvested plugs from these mats and 



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