Viability of Triticum sp. seeds after 30 years long-term storage

Bozhidar Kyosev, Gergana Desheva, Manol Deshev

Abstract: The aim of the study was to assess the changes in the viability of wheat species stored for 30 years under long-term storage condition in National genebank of Bulgaria and discuss the opportunity for more appropriate monitoring. A total of 1955 wheat seed accessions from 7 plant species stored since 1980-1984 were evaluated. Based on the experimental data, seed storage characteristics - σ, P50% and P10% were estimated to predict seed storage life and regeneration needs. After 30 years of storage, the analyzed samples showed a slight decrease in germination above 10%. The frequency of odd results varied between 0 for Triticum dicoccon Shrank accessions to 0,419 for Triticum durum Desf. accessions. The σ values ranged from 41.67 years (for Triticum dicoccon Shrank) to 333.33 years (for Triticum spelta L. and Triticum boeoticum Boiss.). There were large differences between species, both in terms of the time required for viability to drop to 50% and the time required for seed viability to decrease by 10%. The calculated safe storage time (P10%) was the shortest for Triticum dicoccon Shrank (23.35 years) and the longest for Triticum spelta L. (311.87 years).

Keywords: genebank; seed germination; seed longevity; seed viability; wheat

Date published: 2022-12-16