**Texas Plant Materials Long Range Plan**

**2008-2013**

National Plant Materials Manual, Part 540, Operation and Management,
Subpart A, Plant Materials Operations, Section 540.1 Plant Materials
Long Range Planning

**I. Introduction**

The mission of the Plant Materials Program (PMP) is to develop and
transfer plant materials and plant technology to meet customer needs for
the conservation of natural resources. The purpose of the PMP is to
carry out specialized activities in resource conservation as part of the
overall program of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to:

-   Assemble, select, improve, test, and release plant materials for
    conservation use;

-   Determine techniques for the successful use and management of
    conservation species

-   Facilitate the commercial increase and production of conservation
    species; and

-   Provide for development and transfer of applied science technology.

The state plant materials Long-Range Plan (LRP) identifies and
prioritizes customer, resource and program needs. The LRP presents
proposed action items to address identified needs. The state LRP is
consistent with goals and objectives identified in the National PMP
Strategic Plan (2006-2010).

The goals and objectives for the PMP are referenced in the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS) Strategic Plans. The goals and objectives for the NRCS
PMP are:

**[Strategic Goal 1]{.underline}**

Identify and evaluate plants, develop technology for their successful
establishment and maintenance to solve natural resource conservation
problems; including protecting soils, improving air and water quality,
and enhancing wildlife resources.

> **Objective 1.1** Conserve and enhance soil resources using plant
> science technology.
>
> **Objective 1.2** Improve water quality and quantity using plant
> science technology.
>
> **Objective 1.3** Improve air quality using plant science technology.
>
> **Objective 1.4** Enhance fish and wildlife resources using plant
> science technology.

**[Strategic Goal 2]{.underline}**

Provide plant materials and technology that is economically feasible for
solving conservation problems.

> **Objective 2.1** - Provide for and promote commercial production of
> NRCS plant releases to ensure that adequate seed and plants are
> available for use in cooperative conservation programs.
>
> **Objective 2.2** - Maintain and improve the productivity of
> agricultural lands and watersheds through plants and plant management
> technology.
>
> **Objective 2.3** - Increase the alternative uses and specialized uses
> of conservation plant releases to meet emerging needs.

**[Strategic Goal 3]{.underline}**

Provide equal access for all Americans to the PMP

> **Objective 3.1** - Deliver products and services fairly and
> equitably.
>
> **Objective 3.2** - Promote the products of the PMP through effective
> marketing and program delivery.
>
> **Objective 3.3** - Increase the use of plant materials to address
> issues of human health, safety, culture, and aesthetics.
>
> **Objective 3.4** - Prioritize the training of career interns to
> prepare them for assuming key positions in the PMP.

II. **LRP Development**

This LRP was developed in accordance with the National Plant Materials
Manual, Part 540.12. This LRP serves as a guide for directing plant
materials activities within the state. This plan will be used along with
the respective plans of the other states within the service area to
develop the Plant Materials Center LRP. This plan may also serve as a
reference to develop specific action items which will be incorporated
into the state's annual Business Plan.

The State Plant Materials Committee is responsible for identifying
customers, resources, and program needs. The state plant materials
committee is comprised of NRCS employees and partners who have an
interest in plant materials work. A complete listing of the State Plant
Materials committee members can be found in Appendix A.

**III. Resource Information**

Texas is composed of thirty-four Major Land Resource Areas (MLRAs). A
map and general description of these areas can be found in Appendix B.
Detailed information relative to land use, climate and MLRA information
can be found in the USDA Agricultural Handbook 296 MLRA Land Resource
Regions, Agricultural Handbook 296**.**

Climate: USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 6a to 9b occur within the state of
Texas (Appendix C.) Annual average precipitation rates vary from 8
inches in El Paso to over 60 inches in Beaumont (Appendix D.)

**IV. Plant Materials Objectives, Problems, Needs, and Opportunities**

The priority plant materials needs of state fall into several defined
categories.

**[Objective 1.1]{.underline}** Conserve and enhance soil resources
using plant science technology

**Problem:** Excessive soil erosion and degradation of water quality
from non-point source water contaminants from mine land, saline sites,
and other critically eroding sites.

**Resource Concern:** Reduce agricultural and rangeland soil erosion and
water degradation.

**Opportunities:**

-   Develop or identify plants with quick establishment characteristics.

-   Co-operate with partners to develop and evaluate demonstration sites
    that address soil erosion issues.

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-   Evaluation of plant materials that are adapted to disturbed sites
    with shallow soils and droughty conditions (saline, sodic,
    mineralized).

-   Evaluation of native plant materials that are adapted to wet or
    flooded sites and can dispense wave action to conserve and protect
    constructed dams.

**[Objective 1.2]{.underline}** Improve water quality and quantity using
plant science technology.

**Problem:** Degradation of water quality by non-point source
contamination from soil erosion, nutrients, pesticides and
untreated/unconfined waste material.

**Need:** Develop plant materials and procedures that provide good
establishment and uptake of nutrients and pesticides or assist in
breakdown in filter strips, constructed wetlands and waste disposal
areas.

**Opportunities:**

-   Evaluate plant materials that will function as a nutrient/pollutant
    filter.

-   Evaluate plant nutrient up-take and bonding.

-   Develop plant architecture data for use in nutrient uptake
    situations

> (stem size, stem density numbers, plant height, odor abatement etc.)

-   Evaluate native plant materials that will provide shoreline
    stabilization

**[Objective 1.3]{.underline}** Improve air quality with plant science
technology.

**Problem:** Degradation of air quality through contaminants and air
pollutants.

**Need:** Evaluate and develop plant materials and procedures that
mitigate air pollution and contamination caused by erosion, livestock
confinement, construction, and other environmental disturbances.

**Opportunities:**

-   Develop technical notes or supportive documents for management of
    all buffer practices.

-   Evaluate conifers as alternative to eastern red cedar in windbreak
    plantings.

-   Evaluate and develop technical notes or supportive documents for
    windbreak plant species for odor management around poultry
    production facilities.

-   Evaluate carbon sequestration benefits of herbaceous and woody
    plantings.

**[Objective 1.4]{.underline}** Enhance fish and wildlife resources
using plant science technology.

**Problem:** There is a lack of diversity in native grasses, legumes and
woody species that provide wildlife benefits.

**Need:** Evaluate and develop plant materials and establishment
techniques for superior adaptation of a diverse list of native grasses,
legumes and woody species that provide wildlife benefits.

**Opportunities:**

-   Evaluate native cool season grass species for adaptability and use
    as a food source for migratory birds and waterfowl.

-   Evaluate native herbaceous wetland plant species for adaptability
    and use as food for migratory birds and habitat for aquatic
    invertebrates.

-   Evaluate native legume species for adaptability and use as a food
    source for upland birds and wildlife.

-   Evaluate native grass species for adaptability and use as nesting
    habitat for upland birds.

-   Evaluate native woody plants for declining habitats, riparian and
    wetland areas.

**[Objective 2.2]{.underline}** Maintain and improve the productivity of
agricultural lands and watersheds through plants and plant management
technology.

**Problem:** There is a lack of diversity in native legumes and native
cool season grasses that provide quality forage, wildlife benefits, and
erosion control.

**Need:** Evaluate and develop plant materials and establishment
techniques for superior adaptation of a diverse list of warm and cool
season species for use in the state.

**Opportunities:**

-   Evaluate native cool-season grass species for adaptability into
    grazing systems.

-   Evaluate native legume species for adaptability and use in native
    grazing systems.

-   Evaluate superior establishment characteristics of native legume
    species.

-   Evaluate procedures to limit or reduce the potential of invasive
    plant species.

-   Continue work with threatened and endangered native species within
    the state.

**[Objective 2.3]{.underline} Increase the alternative uses and
specialized uses of conservation plant releases to meet emerging
needs.**

**Problem:** There is a lack of information available to further efforts
in alternative uses of conservation plants and plant residue.

**Need:** Evaluate and develop plant materials and technology to support
the alternative use of conservation plants and plant residue.

**Opportunities:**

-   Evaluate conservation plant releases and develop planting technology
    for potential use as cellulosic biofuel.

-   Develop planting technology to support biofuels crop rotation and
    maintained or improved wildlife habitat

-   Develop technology to support maintaining existing cover in expiring
    conservation program contracts.

-   Evaluate native legume species for adaptability and use as cover
    crops in reducing water erosion and as a source of nitrogen
    fertilizer.

-   Evaluate conservation plant releases and develop technology to
    support the integration of existing conservation plant releases into
    the ornamental horticulture industry to improve both the agriculture
    and urban landscape.

**[Objective 3.2]{.underline}** Promote the products of the PMP through
effective marketing and program delivery.

**Problem:** There is a general lack of exposure of the PMP to NRCS
employees and partners.

**Need:** Develop programs and promotional materials that highlight the
PMP within NRCS and among our partners.

**Opportunities:**

-   Develop awareness and technical training for NRCS employees and
    partners outside the agency.

-   Evaluate and promote conservation plant releases which are suited to
    limited resource and small farm operations.

-   Provide quarterly newsletter to every NRCS employee and our partners
    within the service area.

-   Provide annual progress report of activities to any employee or
    partner that wants a copy.

> **V. Products**

1.  Plant Materials Releases

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a)  cultivar

b)  tested

c)  selected

d)  source identified

e)  germplasm

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2.  Technology Transfer

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a)  Progress Report of Activities

b)  Annual Technical Report

c)  Brochures

d)  Program aides

e)  Power point presentations

f)  Tours

g)  Training programs

h)  Video/DVD programs

> **VI. PMC Procedures and Operations**

The National Plant Materials Manual outlines NRCS authority, policy and
procedures for conducting plant materials activities. Each PMC's
activities are directed by its annual business plan and study plans. The
PMC Manager is responsible for fiscal management and day to day
operations at the Center.

**APPENDIX A.**

[TEXAS PLANT MATERIALS COMMITTEE]{.underline}

sTATE RESOURCE CONSERVATIONIST

STATE CONSERVATION AGRONOMIST

STATE WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST

STATE RANGELAND management SPECEIALIST

STATE WETLAND SPECIALIST

STATE FORESTER

State Coastal Ecologist

STATE GrAZING LANDS CONSERVATION INITIATVE COORDINATOR

ZONE AGRONOMIST

ZONE WILDIFE BIOLOGIST

ZONE RANGELAND MANAMENT SPECIALIST

APPENDIX B.

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**APPENDIX C.**

**USDA PLANT HARDINESS MAP**

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height="4.457638888888889in"}

**APPENDIX D.**

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