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Effects of Variable and Constant Storage Temperatures and Subsequent Room Storage on the Viability of Certain Seeds¹

Germinations of seeds of wheat, rye, soybeans, and safflower with approximate moisture contents of 4, 8, and 12%, stored at constant —12.2, —1.1, 10, 21.1, and 32.2 C were compared with seeds from the same lots stored at —12.2 C for 2 weeks and transferred, at biweekly intervals, progressively to the next highest temperature used in the constant series until the 32.2 C was reached. The sequence of transfer was then reversed from the highest to the lowest storage temperature through two complete sequences. Germination tests were made at the end of the constant and variable storages and again following 3-month storage under room conditions (21.1 C and 30% relative humidity). Wheat seeds were not affected by any of the storage conditions, whereas incipient damage in rye seeds stored at 10 and 32.2 C became evident during 3 months' room storage. Soybean seeds with 11.4% moisture were dead at 34 weeks when stored at 32.2 C, and some damage was evident in seeds with 7.92% moisture under 32.2 C storage. Moisture content of 12.2% in safflower seeds was too high for storage at 21.1 and 32.2 C, and deterioration initiated at 21.1 C continued under room conditions. No adverse effects of room storage were evident following storage of seeds at —12.2, 10, or 21.1 C.

Key Words: seeds • storage • germination • viability • oil seeds • grains

² Botanist, Plant Physiologist, and Research Technician, respectively, Crops Research Division, ARS, USDA, Fort Collins, Colo.

Received for publication March 21, 1967.