Summary

You have reached the end of the online learning component of module 2. In this section, we have taken a long, hard look at the science of seed longevity and viability. You have seen how important it is to ensure that seeds in storage are kept under optimal conditions, and that germination tests are carried out regularly. However, a lot can happen to a seed lot before storage begins. In the next online section, module 3, you will discover of what happens to a seed while it develops in the field, how it changes after harvest, and why these events can have far-reaching consequences for genebanks.

Module 2 at a glance:

  • Maintaining seed longevity and viability in storage is a crucial aspect of a genebank’s work.
  • The viability of seeds in storage is often relatively stable after a short period, then tails off more steeply in a predictable, S-shaped curve.
  • The longevity (p50) of a seed lot can be calculated by growing-out a sample of seeds, and reading off the time at which 50% of the sample have lost viability.
  • Factors influencing the longevity of seeds in storage include time spent in storage, moisture content, temperature, and processes carried out during storage (e.g.: priming).
  • The Genebank Standards give general advice on optimizing conditions in storage; however, there is evidence of differences between species, so that optimal conditions for a particular species may be different from those given in the Genebank Standards.

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