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Proper seed storage (Liveseed Practice abstract)

{Tool} Proper seed storage (Liveseed Practice abstract). Creator(s): Groot, Steven P.C.. Issuing Organisation(s): WUR - Wageningen University & Research. Liveseed Practice abstract, no. 25. (2020)

[thumbnail of Liveseed Practice abstract] PDF - Published Version - English (Liveseed Practice abstract)
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Document available online at: https://www.liveseed.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/PA25_Proper-seed-storage.pdf


Summary in the original language of the document

What causes seed ageing? Seed ageing is caused by oxidation of the cell membranes, mitochondria, DNA, RNA and proteins in the seeds. This oxidation is stimulated by four factors: seed moisture level, temperature, oxygen and time. The main factors stimulating this ageing are moisture and oxygen.
How to reduce ageing
Keep sealed commercial seed packages closed until use, to avoid moisture uptake from the air. Never store an open package in a cold place like a refrigerator, were the humidity is high and the seeds will absorb moisture. If not all seeds are used, store the remainder in a dry environment. For this we developed an easy system with a ‘seed drying and storage box’ (Fig 2). The principle is an airtight transparent box. In the box is a bag with silica gel and a relative humidity (RH) meter. The optimal RH is between 20 and 40%. Home produced seeds can also be dried in the box. If the RH surpasses the 40%, the silica gel needs to be regenerated in an oven at 100 °C. The dried silica gel can be cooled down in a closed clean jam jar or alike. It is possible to store the airtight box with seeds in a cooler place, to reduce ageing further. For larger amount of seeds the box could be replaced by a large vacuum bag, as available for storage of clothes.


EPrint Type:Practice tool
What problem does the tool address?:Seed quality is very important for the start of a crop. Accumulation of damage during storage can result in abnormal seedlings or even failure of emergence. To avoid too much ageing, seeds need to be stored in the most optimal way.
What solution does the tool offer?:To reduce seed quality loss you need to store seeds under dry and cool conditions. The seed drying box is a tool to keep the seeds dry and can be home made from readily available material.
Country:Netherlands
Type of Practice Tool:Practice abstracts
Agrovoc keywords:
Language
Value
URI
English
seeds
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_6946
Subjects: Crop husbandry > Breeding, genetics and propagation
Crop husbandry > Crop health, quality, protection
Crop husbandry > Post harvest management and techniques
Research affiliation: European Union > Horizon 2020 > Liveseed
European Union > Horizon 2020 > Liveseed > Liveseed tools
Netherlands > Wageningen University & Research (WUR)
European Union > Organic Farm Knowledge
Horizon Europe or H2020 Grant Agreement Number:727230
Related Links:https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/37863, https://library.wur.nl/WebQuery/wurpubs/534005
Project ID:ofk
Deposited By: Ortolani, Dr. Livia
ID Code:37863
Deposited On:14 Apr 2020 07:17
Last Modified:02 May 2024 10:32
Document Language:English
Status:Published

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