Long-term seed storage of uncommon vegetables: part I

摘要

Long-term seed storage in airtight polyethylene plastic (2 x 100 #mu#m) was carried out with aubergines for 16 years, and with Chinese cabbages and fennel for 20 years (3 accessions for each species). Seeds were stored at room temperature (10degC night/20degC day), in the fridge (5degC), and in the freezer (-20degC). Seed moisture content was 5.1-8.3% at the beginning of storage. Germination capacity was measured at 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30degC. Long-term seed storage (20 years) with more than 80% germination waspossible with one accession of Chinese cabbage and 2 accessions of fennel at 5degC and -20degC. In aubergine, a significant dormancy was found after 7 years (46% germination) that was broken after 16 years storage (94% germination). Germination capacity of >90% was found for all storage treatments of 2 aubergine accessions after 22 years. The duration of the dormancy is unclear, because no tests were done between years 7 and 16.