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Long-Term Preservation of Sorghum Seed as Affected by Seed Moisture, Temperature, and Atmospheric Environment

Longevity of stored seed is affected by a number of controllable environmental factors. Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. seeds were stored in sealed metal cans to test the effects and interactions of three moisture levels, six atmospheric conditions, and five temperature regimes over a 16-year period. Vacuum, and atmospheres of air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, helium, and argon were not significantly different in preserving seed germination. Sealed samples maintained better germination than samples in paper envelopes at temperatures above freezing. At –1 C and –12 C, all treatments maintained good germination. Temperatures of 10, 21, and 32 C interacted with seed moistures of 4, 7, and 10%. At 32 C and 10% seed moisture all seeds were dead in 8 years. Germination of sorghum seeds was best preserved at –12 C, regardless of seed moisture content, atmospheric environment, or storage medium during the 16 years of storage.

Key Words: Germination • Sealed storage • Gas storage

Received for publication September 12, 1977.