We talk with many people who are confused about what is the best method for keeping vegetable seed in long term storage. There is major discussion about whether seeds need oxygen, whether they should be frozen, etc. We spoke with the experts on seed storage. This is the National Seed Storage Lab in Fort Collins, Colorado.
The mission of the Seed Storage Lab is to “acquire, evaluate, preserve, and provide a national collection of genetic resources to secure the biological diversity that underpins a sustainable U.S. agricultural economy through diligent stewardship, research, and communication.”
“NSSL stores samples in conventional storage at -18° C and cryogenic storage using liquid nitrogen at -196° C (-160° C in the vapor phase). Storage method is determined by the type of seed, the size of the seed, the number of seeds in the sample, the viability of the sample, and sometimes the instructions from the donor.”
The controversy comes when people do not realize the difference between seed that has a moisture content of 8-12% and seed that has been dried down so there is no moi
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What about burial? How would they last?
01.21.13 at 3:29 pm
If you cannot freeze or refrigerate the seeds, burial is your next best option. For each 10 degree rise in temperature, the seed life is cut in half. So at 32 degrees, they last 50 years. At 42 degrees, 25 years. At 52 degrees, they last 12 years. That simply means that at 52 degrees, after 13 years, the germination rates will begin to falter.
02.09.13 at 2:01 am
At a depth of 4 feet, the ground temperature maintains 50-55 degrees year round. At that temperature, your seeds (if they have been dried to the optimum moisture content and sealed in metal or glass) will last 12-15 years before the germination begins to suffer. If you cannot freeze seed, we suggest you put the cans in plastic buckets and bury them.
02.23.13 at 5:20 pm