Types of seed storage
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This document discusses different types of seed storage. It describes bag storage which uses waterproof warehouses and follows sanitation practices. Bulk storage also meets basic requirements but requires more insulation. Seeds stored in bulk need frequent turning to prevent deterioration. Conditioned storage carefully controls temperature and humidity but is costly. Cryogenic storage places seeds in liquid nitrogen at -196°C for long-term preservation. Hermetic storage seals seeds in air-tight containers. Containerized storage uses desiccants to regulate humidity in closed containers. The document concludes by outlining preferred long-term storage conditions of -18°C or less in air-tight containers at 3-7% moisture.
Types of seed storage
- 1. Prof. Kumari Rajani Department of Seed Science & Technology Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour Types of Seed Storage (SST 513)
- 2. Bag storage: warehouses should be constructed with water –proof walls ,roofs and floors. Other requirements like sanitation, fumigation should be followed as and when required. Bulk storage: structure should meet basic requirements similar to those of a bag storage. However, sidewall insulation is more important in a bulk storage structure. Bulk stored seed often needs to be moved from one bin to anther to break up any undesirable hot spots and to equalize the temperature of the seed to prevent translocation. A motor-driven fan with a suitable duct system supplies the small amount of air needed for aeration. Ventilation should be encouraged within and between stocks. Seeds stored in bulk requires frequent turning to prevent deterioration due to heating. Commercial large scale storage Prof. Kumari Rajani
- 3. 1. Open storage It is preferred over bag storage for the following reasons: Large quantities of food grain can be stored No difficulty in loading and unloading of grain No need to purchase storage containers like gunnies Insect incidence is less than bag storage, even this can be eliminated by fumigation in situ Avoids waste from leaking bags Easy inspections- saves labour and time. 1. Open storage 2. Bag storage Storage conditions where seeds are exposed directly or indirectly to ambient relative humidity (and sometimes also temperature); for example, in a paper bag, cloth bag, or a similar material which permits seed moisture content to be influenced by ambient relative humidity. Bulk Storage Prof. Kumari Rajani
- 4. 2. Bag storage Commodities are mostly stored in gunnies. Storage in bags requires considerable labour, but the minimum investment is enough on permanent structures and equipment. The storage in bags has the advantage of being short-term storage. Prof. Kumari Rajani Bag storage can be done under a roof galvanized iron sheets, a plastic covering where grain is intended for very early onward movement. Bags can be easily handled for marketing purpose. There is no sweating of bags as they are arranged in racks with proper interbag space, but, initial cost is high and they can easily pickup infestation and retain even after treatment. Bulk Storage
- 5. Copeland and McDonald recommended four principal types of seed storage conditions 1. Conditioned Storage 2. Cryogenic storage 3. Containerized seed storage Prof. Kumari Rajani
- 6. Carefully controlling temperature and relative humidity. It is too costly for storing seed lots of agricultural crops ,but it is extremely valuable to preserve germplasm and other valuable seed stocks. While evaluating the economics of seed storage the following criteria should be taken into account. Types of seeds to be stored Length of the storage period Quality of seed stored Loss of seed weight during storage. Conditioned Storage Prof. Kumari Rajani
- 7. Cryogenic Storage Seeds are placed into liquid nitrogen at -196°C. There is little detrimental physiological activity, prolonging the storage life of seeds. Safe and cheaper than conditioned storage. Limited in storage capacity. Long term storage of valuable germplasm. Prof. Kumari Rajani
- 8. Hermetic Storage Packaging seeds in an air-tight, moisture-resistant containers or hermetically sealed containers for storage and marketing. Metal cans were completely effective in maintaining seed moisture at the initial 5% level. Air can be replaced by specific gasses lo slow deterioration Using this method seeds can be stored upto 10 years or longer. Prof. Kumari Rajani
- 9. Containerized seed Storage When storing small samples, chemical desiccants can be used to regulate moisture Humidity is regulated in a closed container by use of chemical desiccants like sulfuric acid (H2SO4), saturated salt solutions, silica gel treated with cobalt chloride, which serves as an indicator dye, turning from blue to pink when RH exceeds 45%. This type of storage system is cheaper and insects-rodent and moisture proof. Advantages • Construction of storage facilities are not necessary • Maintenance is minimal • Metal boxes are rodent-, insect-, and moisture-proof • Seeds are not damaged by storage fungi since they are at 45% RH Prof. Kumari Rajani
- 10. The storage conditions recommended by FAO and International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) formerly International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR) for long-term seed conservation. For long-term storage for genetic conservation of agricultural seeds, a temperature of -18°C (64°F) or less in air-tight containers at a seed moisture content of 3-7% (w.b.) has been recommended as the “preferred” standard for most species and -10° C as an “acceptable” standard for those species known to have an intrinsic high viability (IBPGR 1976). Preferred Storage Condition Prof. Kumari Rajani
Editor's Notes
- #2: Life span of seeds of plant species classification of seeds on the basis of storage behaviour orthodox and recalcitrant seeds