Shite, S-Tavare Factors influencing seed storage Factors influencing seed storage: 1. Biotic 2. Abiotic Biotic factors: a, Factors related to seed + Genetic makeup of seed + Initial seed quality + Provenance + Seed Moisture content b. Other biotics © Insects © Fungi = Rodents * Mishandling during sampling, testing 2. Abiotic factors © Temperature * Relative humidity ‘© Seed store sanitation ‘© Gaseous atmosphere © Packaging material Seed factors: Genetic factors The storage is influenced by the genetic makeup of the seed. Some kinds are naturally short lived (e.g) onion, soybeans, ground nut etc., Based on the genetic makeup seeds are classified into, Micro biotic - short lived Meso biotic- medium lived Macro biotic — long lived Initial seed quality Barton (1941) found that the seeds of high initial viability are much more resistant to unfavourable. storage environmental conditions than low viable seed. Once seed start to deteriorate it proceeds rapidly. The seed which injured mechanically suffered a lot and loses its viability and vigour very quickly. Generally small seeds escape injury whereas large seeds are more likely to be extensively, damaged (e.g) bean, lima-bean and soybean. Spherical seeds usually give more protection than flat or irregularly shaped seeds. Effect of provenance: The place where the seed crop was produced greatly influences the storability. (e.g.) Red clover seeds grown in Canada stored for 4 years with 80% germination whereas seeds grown in England and Newzealand stored only for 3 years with 80% germination. This is due to different climatic conditions and soil types prevailing in different places.Effect of weather rage. Pre-harvest Fluctuating temperature during seed formation and maturity wll afect seed stor rain may also affect the viability. Pre harvest sanitation spray In pulses, insect infestation comes from field (e.g.) bruchids. Seed moisture content Most important factor influences the storability. The amount of moisture in the seeds is the most important factor influencing seed viability during storage. Generally, if the seed moisture content increases storage life decreases. If seeds are kept at high ‘moisture content the losses could be very rapid due to mould growth very low moisture content below 4% may also damage seeds due to extreme desiccation or cause hard seededness in some crops. Since the life of a seed largely revolves around its moisture content it is necessary to dry seeds to ‘safe moisture contents. The sage moisture content however depends upon storage length, type of storage structure, kind / variety of seed type of packing material used. For cereals in ordinary storage conditions for 12-18 months, seed drying up to 10% moisture content appears quite satisfactory. However, for storage in sealed containers, drying upto 5-8 % moisture content depending upon particular kind may be necessary. Hai \gtons thumb rule on seed moisture content : For every one per cent decrease in seed moisture content the life of seed will be doubled. This is again hold good between 4- 12 C. Based on the tolerance and susceptibility of seeds towards moisture loss seeds are classified into Orthodox — the seeds able to tolerate moisture loss and less seed moisture favours the storage. i.e. decreased moisture increased storage period. Eg. Rice, sorghum , and most of the cultivated species. Recalcitrant — just opposite to the orthodox. Seeds not able to tolerate moisture loss. Required high moisture for viability maintenance. Microflora, Insects and Mites The activity of all these organisms can lead to damage resulting in loss of viability. The microflora activity is controlled by Relative Humidity temperature and Moisture Content of seed. Treated seeds with fungicides can be stored for longer periods. Fumigation to control insects will also help in longer period of stroage. Fumigants - (e.g) methyl bromide, hydrogen cyanide, ethyline dichloride, carbon tetra chloride, carbon disulphide and napthalene and aluminimum phosphine. Abiotic factors : Relative humidity : j Relative humidity is the amount of H20 present in the air at a given temperature in proportion to its maximum water holding capacity. Relative Humidity and temperature are the most importantfactors determini Sie eee nee life of seeds. Seeds attain a specific and characteristic moisture content called equi 0 given levels of atmospheric humidities. This characteristic moisture conten equilibrium moisture content Pee ee a for a particular kind of seed at a given Relative Humidity tends to Fics pe derestesi the nator of seed moisture content during storage pe enna toa lesser extent of temperature. At equilibrium moisture is no net gain or oss in seed moisture content. Temperature Temperature also plays an important role in lfe of seed. Insects ‘and moulds increase as temperature increases. The higher the moisture content of the seeds the more they are adversely affected by temperature. Decreasing temperature and seed moisture isan effective means of maintaining seed quality in storage. The folowing thumb rules by Harrington are useful measures for assesSiN8 the effect of moisture and temperature on seed storage. These rules are as follows 1. For every decrease of 1% seed moisture content the ife ofthe seed doubles. This rule is applicable between moisture content of 5-14%. 2. For every decrease of 5°C in storage temperature the life of the seed doubles This rules applies between oC to 50°C. 3. Good seed storage is achieved when the % of relative humidity in storage environment and the storage temperature in degrees Fahrenheit add upto one hundred but the contribution from temperature should not exceed 50°F. Nomograph Roberts (1972) developed formulae to describe the relationship between temperatir™ seed mc. and period of viability. From these relationships it was possible to construct 2 seed viability nomograph. These nomograph are helpful in predicting the retention of seed viability indefined storage environment for a particular period or to determine combinations of temperature and moisture content which will ensure the retention of a desired level of seed viability for specific period. Gas during storage Increase in 02 pressure decrease the period of viability N2 and CO2 atmosphere will increase the storage life of seeds,