proper storage of seed

1. SEED STORAGE
KRISHNENDU
KUNDU

2. CONTENT
• Principles of storage.
• Stages of seed storage.
• Types of storage.
• Factors effecting seed longevity in storage.
• Constructional features of seed warehouse.
• Cryopreservation.
• Storage problems.

3. SEED STORAGE:
• Preservation of seed with initial quality until it is needed for planting.
• The seeds are considered to be in storage from the moment they reach
physiological maturity- until they germinate.

4. • Storage environment should be dry & cool.
• Effective control of storage pest.
• Seeds dried to safe moisture content before storing is appropriate for the
storage system.
• Storing of high quality seeds only.
• Reducing the rate of deterioration.
PRINCIPLES OF STORAGE:

5. • Storage on plants. ( physiological maturity until harvest)
• Harvest, until processed and stored in house.
• In warehouse.
• In transit. ( railway wagons, sheds, trucks, carts etc.)
• In retail stores.
• On user’s farm.
STAGES OF SEED STORAGE:

6. • Storage of commercial, TL, Certified seeds.
• Storage of carry over seeds.
• Storage of Foundation seeds stock and Enforcement seeds samples.
• Storage of germplasm seeds.
TYPES OF STORAGE:

7. • Kind / variety of the seed.
• Initial quality of seed.
• Moisture content.
• RH & temperature during storage.
• Provenance.
• Fluctuating environment condition.
• Activity of organism associated with seeds. Bacteria/ fungus/ insects/ mites/
rodents/ birds.
FACTORS AFFECTING SEED LONGEVITY IN
STORAGE:

8. FACTORS INFLUENCING SEED STORAGE:
Biotic Factors Abiotic Factors
Insect
s
Seeds
Other biotics
Sanitation
Gas
concentration
Relative
humidity
Temperatur
e

9. FACTORS RELATED TO SEED:
• Initial seed quality.
• Provenance- area of production.
• Seed moisture content.
• Genetic make up of seed.

10. CONSTRUCTIONAL FEATURES OF SEED
WAREHOUSE:
• It should have no windows and have only one door constructed of metal which can be sealed
properly & locked.
• Constructional material should be stone, concrete, brick, metal or wood.
• Foundation should be of stone or concrete and should extend up to 90 cm above the ground
level.
• A lip extending out 15 cm should be constructed to prevent rodents.
• The floor must be prevent and any crack that may develop must be repaired.
• All cracks around electric conduits, ventilation openings and doors should be thoroughly sealed.
• Ventilation opening should be screened against birds and insects.

11. MOISTURE CONTENT DURING STORAGE:
SEED MOISTURE CONTENT (%) STORAGE LIFE
11-13 6 months
10-12 1 year
9-11 2 years
8-10 4 years

12. • Seed moisture plays an important role in seed storage. The moisture content of the seeds are
influenced by the temperature and relative humidity of the atmosphere.
• While storing seeds in non vapour proof containers the seed moisture should be between 10-
12 percent.
• While storing seeds in moisture vapour proof containers the seed moisture should be
between 6-8 percentage.
• The atmospheric temperature shall be maintained at 15- 20 ° C.
• RH should be maintained at 50 percent.
• Spray Malathion 50 EC.
SAFE SEED STORAGE:

13. CRYOPRESERVATION:
• It consists of storing the material at temperature near that of liquid nitrogen (-
196° C). Under these conditions all enzymatic processes are practically halted
and any type of biological material (meristem, calluses, embryos, pollen, seeds,
somatic tissues, etc. can be preserved for a potentially infinite period.
• Orthodox seeds can easily be cryopreserved.
Encapsulation of embryo
In calcium alginate
Desiccation in
conc. Sucrose
solution
Immersion in
liquid nitrogen