Shelagh McCartan, BSc, MSc, PhD

 

Seed Scientist, Forest Management Division

Email: shelagh.mccartan@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

Tel: +44 (0)1420 22255
Tel direct: +44 (0)1420 526150
Fax: +44 (0)1420 23563

Address:
Forest Research
Alice Holt Lodge
Farnham
Surrey GU10 4LH
UK

Shelagh McCartan obtained a BSc (Hon) in Botany from Rhodes University, South Africa in 1992; a PhD in Botany from University of Natal, South Africa in 2000; and carried out post-doctoral research on the micropropagation and in vitro acclimation of rare plants. She joined Forest Research in 2006.

Current role

Seed Scientist, Forest Management Division

Current programmes

Seed and seedling biology
Seed Scientist

Research areas

• Seed dispersal, longevity, predation, collection, processing, storage, testing, dormancy, pre-treatment, germination
• Seedling establishment and survival.

Main recent publications

Gosling, P.G. & McCartan, S.A. (2006). Seed dormancy in a nutshell! Canadian Tree Improvement Association, Tree Seed Newsbulletin 44, 3 - 6.

McCartan S.A., Beckett R.P & van Staden J. (2005). In vitro hardening — the role of supra-optimal sucrose on acclimation stress in Kniphofia leucocephala. S. Afr. J. Bot. 71: 107–109

McCartan S.A., Beckett R.P., Ivanova M.V. & van Staden J. (2004). In vitro hardening – the role of ventilation on acclimation stress in Kniphofia leucocephala. Plant Growth Regulation 43: 49-55

McCartan S.A., Ramarosandratana A.V. & van Staden J. (2004). In vitro germination and propagation of the ornamental restio, Ischryolepis subverticillata. S. Afr. J. Bot. 70: 326-328

McCartan S.A. & van Staden J. (2003). Micropropagation of the endangered Kniphofia leucocephala Baijnath. In vitro Biology – Plant 39: 496-499

McCartan S.A. & van Staden J. (2002). Micropropagation of Scilla kraussii and Scilla dracomontana. S. Afr. J. Bot. 68: 223-225

McCartan S.A., Crouch N. R. & Krynauw S. (1999). Micropropagation of the naturally rare pineapple lily, Eucomis vandermerwei. J. S. Afr. Soc. Hort. Sci.  9: 33-35

Crouch N.R., Brunkhorst M. & McCartan S.A. (1999). Micropropagation of Scilla nervosa (Hyacinthaceae), a southern African medicinal bulb. S. Afr. J. Bot. 65: 306-307

McCartan S.A. & van Staden J. (1999). Micropropagation of members of the Hyacinthaceae with medicinal and ornamental potential - a review.  S. Afr. J. Bot. 65 361-369

McCartan S.A., Gillmer J.M. & Symmonds R.J. (1999). The effect of propagule size, density and soil type on yield in wild ginger (Siphonochilus aethiopicus (Schweinf.) B.L. Burtt).  J. S. Afr. Soc. Hort. Sci.   9: 29-32

McCartan S.A & Gillmer M. (1999). In vitro propagation: principles, practices and potential for the conservation of indigenous plants. Veld & Flora June.

McCartan S.A. & van Staden J. (1998). Micropropagation of the medicinal plant, Scilla natalensis Planch.  Plant Growth Reg. 25: 177-180

McCartan S.A. & Crouch N.R. (1998). In vitro culture of Mondia whitei (Hook f.) Skeels (Periplocaceae), a threatened Zulu medicinal plant. S. Afr. J. Bot. 64: 313-314  

McCartan S.A., van Staden J. & Finnie J.F. (1996). In vitro propagation of taro (Colocasia esculenta).  J. S. Afr. Soc. Hort. Sci. 6:1-3

McCartan S.A. & van Staden J. (1995). In vitro propagation of the medicinal plant, Eucomis poleevansii N.E. Brown. J. S. Afr. Soc. Hort. Sci. 5:73-75