Study on some aspects of seed viability and vigor

Abstract

Influences on viability and germination of seeds have been studied intensively for many years, particularly for the numer-ous commercially important agricultural, ornamental, and timber species. High germinating seed lots may differ substantially in field emergence when sown at the same time in the same field, and/or may differ in performance after storage in the same environment or transport to the same destination. Knowledge of the availability and abundance of viable seeds in tundra soils is important to an understanding of community processes in a stable or in a changing environment. This includes the actual recruitment from this seed bank into seedlings, juvenile and then adult population. Seed storage is very important to secure good quality seeds for planting programs whenever needed. Seed longevity, vigor and viability depend on genetic and physiological factors as well as storage conditions. The most important factors that influence storage are temperature, moisture, seed characteristics, micro-organism geographical location and storage structure. It is necessary to improve methods that increase potential seed longevity, vigor and viability in storage. Seed viability can be extended by cold or dry storage at seed moisture content below 5%