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Effects of Various Storage Conditions on Longevity of Cotton, Corn, and Sorghum Seeds¹

Seed of ‘Acala’ cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), ‘White Surcropper’ corn (Zea mays L.), and ‘Dwarf Yellow Milo’ sorghmn (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) were sealed bottles and stored in refrigerated storage (10C) and room temperature. Treatments used were vacuum, dehydrated, vacuum-dehydrated, and control.

Storage at 10C had the greatest influence on maintaining viability. After 26 years the sorghum, cotton, and corn germinated 91, 41, and 0%, respectively. The corn seed germinated 34% at the end of 22 years of refrigerated storage. Seed sealed in bottles and stored at room temperature remained viable at least 2 years longer than seed stored in paper envelopes.

Dehydration was ineffective in maintaining the viability of both cotton and corn seed. The germination percentage of cotton and grain sorghum was maintained at a higher level by storage in a partial vacuum.

Key Words: Gossypium hirsutum L. • Zea mays L. • Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench • Germination • Vacuum • Dehydration

² Assistant Professor, Texas Agr. Exp. Sta., College Station 77843. Vice-President in-charge-of-research, Asgrow Seed Company, Orange, Conn.; and Research Agronomist, Crops Research Division, ARS, USDA.

Received for publication April 10, 1968.