Seeds stored at sub-zero temperatures. Seed storage

The worst enemy of dormant seeds is warm, moist air. Where it is hot and humid, seeds can lose their viability in a matter of months, and with free access to air, in a few weeks. Sharp changes in temperature are also unfavorable for them. The ideal conditions for storing most seeds are moderate temperatures (12–15°C) without significant fluctuations and moderate relative humidity (not higher than 50%).
Do not leave seeds for the winter in unheated premises on the garden plots, it is better to transport them to the city, without leaving them in dampness and cold for a long time. For damp seeds, shallow freezing (from 0 to -10) is often fatal, especially when repeatedly passing through 0 ..
Where is the best place to store seeds? living conditions, in particular, in a city apartment? It is clear that the seeds cannot be stored in the kitchen due to large changes in humidity. They should also not be kept in the refrigerator door, since every time the door is opened, cold objects on it come into contact with warm air and moisture condenses on them.
By packing the seeds in plastic bags or foil, we will limit the access of air to the seeds and prevent them from drying out.
If you prefer to keep the seeds in the refrigerator, then keep them in the lower compartment. Before sowing seedlings, seeds stored in the cold must be activated.
Seeds are removed from the refrigerator in advance (one month before sowing) and kept at a temperature of 25-30°C.
Shelf life of some seeds:
-10-12 years - purslane;
-6-8 years old - watermelon, melon, leafy cabbage, cucumber, patisson, pumpkin; zucchini;
-5-7 years - endive, escarole, sweet corn;
-5-6 years - vegetable peas, watercress, beans;, beans, peas;
-4-5 years - white cabbage, Brussels sprouts, Chinese, cauliflower and kohlrabi, radish, radish, turnip, asparagus, tomato, physalis, basil;
-3-5 years - eggplant, okra, hyssop, swede;
-3-4 years - basil, salad mustard, oregano, chervil, coriander (cilantro), batun and leek, lovage, chard, carrots, borage (borage), pepper, lettuce, chicory salad, spinach, hyssop, beets, pepper;
-2-3 years - anise, katran, catnip, turnip onion, marjoram, lemon balm, peppermint, parsley, rhubarb, cumin, dill, fennel, sorrel, tarragon; parsley;
-1-2 years - parsnip, celery, skortsioner, savory;
Of course, there are exceptions to the rule, as much depends on the variety, storage conditions and other factors.
It must be borne in mind that with an increase in the shelf life of seeds, their germination decreases, the growth force changes slightly, and the number of female flowers in a number of crops increases.
By the way, even if the seeds have expired, do not rush to throw them away. So, for example, seeds of pumpkin crops (zucchini, squash, cucumbers) do not lose their germination capacity for 6-8 years. And even after the expiration date indicated on the label, they can sprout normally. Tomato seeds are slightly less viable - 5-6 years old, but almost every summer resident had the opportunity to verify the high germination of older tomato seeds. The margin of safety for seeds of pepper, eggplant, beets, cabbage is 3-5 years. Well, the seeds of onion, dill, carrots, parsnips, parsley lose their sowing qualities faster than others. AT favorable conditions seeds can retain their germination much longer, and in unfavorable conditions they lose it before the deadline. Remember that all seeds have an expiration date, after which germination can be doubted.
Beet seeds can be stored for 10 or even 20 years. And the beans do not lose their germination capacity until 700 years (it's even hard to imagine). These terms cannot be considered strictly established.

Proper storage of seeds is important for the friendly germination of seedlings, the health and ability to bear fruit in future plants. Each variety has its own shelf life of seeds, however, the conditions for keeping planting material are more important, non-compliance with the rules will lead to disturbances in the development of the embryo, which will affect the further growth and quality of the variety. I will talk about the rules for storing seeds in the article below.

Seed storage conditions

To maintain the germination of seeds, it is necessary to maintain certain conditions for the maintenance of planting material. The main reason for the violation of seed germination is the hygroscopicity of the planting material. Seeds absorb moisture from the air, as a result of which important metabolic processes are disrupted. If such seeds are planted, they will not sprout, wasting the gardener's time and materials. Therefore, the main task for maintaining the quality of seeds is to create the necessary conditions so that the seeds do not gain excess moisture. Seed storage conditions include:

• The storage temperature of seeds affects the processes occurring inside the seed. The higher the ambient temperature, the more actively the planting material breathes, starting the maturation process. The optimum storage temperature is 15-18 degrees, but there are exceptions: root seeds do not like low temperatures, and carrot, onion and aster seeds can be left on an unheated balcony.

• Seed moisture is the main factor of safety. This includes not only the humidity indicator in the room (should not be higher than 25%), it is important to dry the seeds well before storing them. Neglect of this rule leads to premature germination of seeds, the appearance of mold or rot.
• Keep the seed storage area clean, foreign debris attracts pests that can destroy all stocks.
• Store most seeds in airtight containers, with the exception of legumes, which need air circulation.
• Provide the seeds with darkness, light stimulates the start of growth, darkness guarantees a dormant stage.

Seed storage

When choosing the best place to store seeds, pay attention to cool areas. If the house has a basement, cellar or cellar - this place is ideal for our task. In the absence of such benefits, choose low boxes, closer to balcony door. There are two ways to store seeds: open and closed. The open method of storing seeds is used less often and only for some varieties. It means a container that allows air and moisture to pass through (bags made of jute or linen, sewn in two layers). Closed way seed storage is more common, consists of two layers. The first layer is polyethylene, which keeps the humidity level inside the bag not higher than 6-9%, the second layer is a bag, a wooden box, a metal can. This method more reliably preserves the seeds from the penetration of excess moisture, air, from the ingress of harmful bacteria. Seeds in such a package are protected, are in a dormant stage until the time of sowing.

Features of seed storage

Experienced gardeners who grow many crops in the garden and annually harvest a huge amount of seeds come up with and successfully use secrets in life that help in the process of storing planting material. Familiarize yourself with the basic nuances in harvesting seeds.

• For packing seeds, use metallized or plastic zip bags. Folders will also work. With a large collection of seeds collected, experienced gardeners use plastic organizers for small items, these are easy to find in needlework stores.
• Put one package of silica gel into each bag of seeds. It will successfully cope with excessive moisture, preserving the seeds for a long time.

• Sign the package by sticking a piece of furniture tape, or putting a small note inside. Indicate which crop seeds are collected, varietal affiliation, and also do not forget to write down the date of collection of these specific seeds.
• The date of seed collection is important because, despite the storage conditions met, each variety has a limited shelf life. Seeds that have exceeded this period are unsuitable for planting. For example, for onions and corn, it is only 1 year, while the seeds of watermelon, melon, cucumbers and zucchini can be stored without loss of quality up to 8 years.

The collection and storage of seeds is a responsible matter, because only by planting the selected planting material with your own hand can you be sure of the quality of the variety. Follow the rules and conditions for storing seeds, and in the new season the garden will delight you with a bountiful harvest.

The need for seed storage is associated with biological features different types plants, sowing dates, features of the seed production system and other factors. Some seeds after harvesting have low germination (coriander, clary sage), or do not germinate at all (ginseng). In legumes, there are so-called "hard seeds" that are not even able to swell.

Seeds of winter plants are sown as early as 1.0–1.5 months after harvesting, spring plants - in 7–8 months. In the seed system, there are transitional, state and insurance funds that are kept from 1 to 5 years or more.

In all cases of storage, as N. N. Kuleshov believed: "... by the time of sowing, the seeds should have high germination and the ability to produce healthy and strong plants of the next generation." The expressed idea has both theoretical and practical conditions. In this regard, the purpose of this article is to highlight the most important issues related to the storage of seeds and their longevity: viability depending on environmental conditions during cultivation and storage, variability of the biochemical composition, physiological state, anatomical structure and biological properties of seeds during storage .

The state of conservation of seed quality to a large extent depends on the growing conditions of mother plants, the mode of harvesting and storage. Depending on the growing conditions, various quality parameters of seeds change significantly: chemical composition and physiological state, physical and mechanical properties, disease and pest damage, genetic characteristics, as well as biological properties (pecking activity, germination energy, germination, seedling growth intensity, yielding properties).

During storage, the seeds are exposed to endogenous , and exogenous factors. To endogenous factors include physiological, biochemical, genetic and structural changes occurring within the seed. exogenous factors are divided into four main groups: meteorological , physical , chemical and biotic . Meteorological include: temperature, light, moisture, air. Physical factors - ionizing and other types of electromagnetic radiation. For the purpose of seed treatment, they are reproduced induced by means of special devices, however, some of them in different doses arise spontaneously in nature, acting on living organisms. Among chemical factors that act on seeds during storage, the most common are dressing agents, fumigants, defoliants and desiccants, various preservatives, chemical mutagens, and the like. The effect of chemical agents depends on the norms, duration and exposure of the action, the conditions under which they come into contact with the seeds. The main biotic factors that affect seeds during storage are micro-organisms that cause diseases, as well as pests.

Depending on the dose and exposure of the action of physical and chemical factors on seeds, as well as the conditions under which it occurs, the effect can be different - stimulating, inhibitory, mutagenic, or even lethal.

During the storage of seeds, two periods are distinguished: in the first period, post-harvest ripening occurs, as a result of which the properties of seeds improve, in the second period, aging of seeds occurs, which, as a rule, leads to their deterioration. The variability of seeds during storage is determined by the physiological, biochemical, structural, biological and genetic transformations that occur in them.

Plant growing conditions and seed harvesting regime

The longevity of seeds largely depends on the conditions for the development of mother plants - the density of the stem, the level of provision with basic nutrients and microelements, the degree of lodging, disease damage and damage by pests. When grown for seed purposes, the optimal is the complete mineral fertilizer with a predominance of phosphorus.

Seed quality is affected by harvesting conditions. Seeds with the best properties are obtained by separate harvesting of grain plants. They are more stable during storage. Especially detrimental to the seeds of overgrown grain mass on the vine and a long stay in the rolls. At the same time, there is a strong spread of infection, damage by pests and environmental injury to seeds.

Meteorological conditions during the period of their formation significantly affect the storage of seeds. Research conducted at the Mironov Institute of Wheat. V. N. Craft, it was found that winter wheat seeds grown in less favorable years(265 and 175 mm of precipitation fell from flowering to harvest, respectively), in one year of storage, the sowing properties decreased more than in the seeds of the crop, when 88 mm of precipitation fell and the temperature regime was the best. A significant variability in the quality of seeds during storage, depending on the place of their cultivation, was noted. Seeds grown in favorable soil and climatic conditions were much better preserved for one year than reproduced ones, where the soils are less fertile, and during the formation and harvesting of seeds, more precipitation falls at a lower temperature.

Seed moisture and ambient temperature

The most important factor determining the stability of seeds during storage is their moisture content. It was found that when the moisture content of rye changed from 13% to 17% after one year of storage, the germination decreased by 15%. During a ten-year storage of winter wheat seeds with a moisture content of 13%, laboratory germination decreased from 96% to 69%, and seeds with a moisture content of 15% lost their viability.

Drying the seeds to a level below normal moisture, their ability to germinate is well preserved for 25 months. At humidity above the standard, a significant decrease in germination is observed after ten months of storage. During storage of wet seeds, significant losses of dry matter are observed due to intensive respiration and the activity of microorganisms. When storing seeds with a moisture content of 22%, the loss of dry matter is 1 kg per 1 ton per day. In this case, 180 g of carbohydrates are oxidized, which is accompanied by the release of 674 kcal of heat. For the vital activity of microorganisms, the optimal environment is created at a seed moisture content of 18% and a temperature of 20°C. Therefore, without seeds, they can be stored at a moisture content of 20% for no more than six days, 20–25% for five days, and above 25% for 1–2 days.

Careful post-harvest cleaning of seeds provides a significant increase in the duration of its storage. In experiments with rye at a moisture content of 17%, traces of mold in the cleaned seeds were detected after 68 days, with a contamination of 2% - after 46 days and 4% - after 10 days.

The best temperature for storing seeds is 5–10°C, but this temperature can only be maintained by means of air conditioners, which is quite expensive. Therefore, such a temperature is maintained in storage facilities for collection samples. Under production conditions, seeds are stored at natural temperature, therefore, at a humidity of more than 15% and an increase in temperature of more than 10 ° C, the duration of safe storage of seeds is sharply reduced (Table 1).

In the conditions of Ukraine, the air temperature in summer often reaches 30 ° C or more, so you should pay great attention to the moisture content of seeds (especially insurance and transitional funds) in storage and on currents, as well as during harvesting. Increasing the humidity and temperature of a seed lot or part of it can lead to self-heating, that is, to a spontaneous increase in the temperature of the seed mass above the ambient temperature. When self-heating, the seeds lose their germination very quickly. So, during the harvesting period, one or two days of self-warming leads to a decrease in germination by 5–10%. To prevent self-heating, the seeds must be cleaned of impurities (especially wet ones), and, if necessary, dried. If self-heating has begun, then measures must be taken to eliminate it.

Table 1

Duration of stable storage of seeds of grain plants depending on humidity and temperature, days

The effect of temperature on seed moisture during storage manifests itself in a complex way. The general pattern is that the higher the temperature at a given level of humidity, the faster the seeds lose their germination. With an increase in temperature and humidity of seeds, the intensity of respiration increases significantly.

In the process of respiration, chemical energy is released, which turns into heat. This leads to self-heating of the seeds. An environment favorable for the development of fungi is created. There is a rotten smell in the grain mass. Therefore, for a specialist engaged in the processing and storage of seeds, their smell should be a primary indicator of the condition of the seeds.

In addition, at elevated temperatures, change in the structure of proteins : they coagulate and turn into an insoluble protein mass. Coagulation often

leads to denaturation (Fig. 1).

In most cases, proteins lose their biological activity during denaturation. Consequently, the process of protein denaturation blocks the enzymatic system, disrupts the entire metabolism. Seeds in which such transformations occur experience significant negative changes: the germination energy and laboratory germination are reduced, or their viability is completely lost. It was found in the experiments that at a moisture content of winter wheat seeds of 29% and 32% and a heating temperature of 50 °C, the activity of the catalase enzyme decreased by 20–25%, and at 55 °C, complete inactivation of the enzyme occurred.

Rice. 1. Protein denaturation during heat treatment: a– native protein; b- denatured protein

At a humidity of 18%, a noticeable inactivation of catalase was observed at 65°C. Sub-zero temperatures create a favorable environment for storing the seeds of most plants. The scientist L. Barton found that at minus 18 °C, the germination capacity of the tree species studied by her was better than at minus 11 °C and minus 4 °C. With temporary preservation of wet seeds, cooling in the range from plus 2 to minus 4 ° C gives a good result.

High efficiency is noted during the storage of frozen seeds of wheat, rye, oats, barley and various fodder plants. At a temperature of minus 20 ° C for nine years, their germination almost did not change, while in laboratory conditions it decreased to 30–74%.

Scientists believe that in the permafrost zone it is possible to provide much cheaper and more reliable long-term storage of the plant genetic fund than in conventional seed storage facilities.

The experience of conservation and storage of seeds of cereal grains, sorghum, corn, soybean, sunflower and other plants has been accumulated at the Crimean Institute. Under any seed conditions, even such a heavy plant for post-harvest processing, like sorghum, has high sowing conditions. This experience is being studied and implemented.

The hermetic content of seeds during storage in different containers (containers, jute, propylene bags and film bags, paper bags, metal boxes) ensures high germination for three years.

Storage of seeds under vacuum from 10–1 to 10–2 Mbar makes it possible to preserve the germination energy for a very long time.

Of particular interest is the method of storing seeds in climate chambers developed at the Siberian Research Institute of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences. It is based on the support of a complex of factors in the optimal mode. Seeds are contained in a sealed glass container, packed in foam plastic heat-stabilizing blocks. Before laying for storage, the seeds are dried at a temperature of 40 ° C to 4–7% moisture. The chamber is maintained at a temperature of 4 ± 0.5 °C with forced air ventilation.

Influence of ambient temperature, container type and growth regulators on seed storage resistance

Preservation of plant genetic resources is one of the main tasks of mankind, its obligation to future generations. World experience has shown that for species propagated by seeds, the most reliable way of long-term storage is gene banks. However, this also results in the loss of samples. One of the important problems is the creation of conditions that would ensure the preservation of high viability and genetic authenticity and integrity of seeds of different plant species.

In recent decades, various growth regulators of organic and synthetic origin have been widely studied and introduced in the scientific field and production. The industry supplies the market with a fairly wide variety of such drugs. We believe that it is advisable to test these preparations for the ability to increase the storage resistance of seeds of different plant species. In particular, essential oil and medicinal plants are little studied in this respect.

In this regard, on the basis of an agreement on joint research between the Institute of Plant Industry. V. Ya. Yuryev National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the National Center for Genetic Resources of Ukraine (Kharkov) and the Research Institute of Seed Production of the Southern Branch National University of Nature Management and Bioresources "KATU" conducted a study of the effect of a number of drugs on the resistance to storage of seeds of essential oil plants - fennel, coriander, anise and clary sage.

Before storage, seed samples were treated with a growth stimulator Emistim S , microbiological preparations agrophile , BSP , FMB . The research was carried out according to a special technique. The seeds were dried in a chamber with an MD 600 air dryer (Munters, Sweden) at a temperature of 20–25°C and a relative air humidity of 20–25%. The drying period is 10–15 days, depending on the type of plants and the initial humidity.

Storage of seeds dehydrated to a certain level of moisture of each plant species was carried out in a hermetically sealed container - glass bottles and multilayer foil bags. Control seeds were stored in glass containers and foil bags in three temperature conditions: block No. 1 - under unregulated temperature conditions, block No. 2 - in cold store(Huurre, Finland) at 4 °С, block No. 3 - in a freezer at minus 18–20 °С. Samples treated with preparations were stored only in block No. 1 in glass bottles.

Before storage, as well as after three, six and nine years of storage, the analysis of the main parameters of the sowing properties of seeds was carried out.

Table 2 shows the results of the germination of seeds of essential oil plants treated with growth regulators when stored in glass containers under unregulated temperature conditions.

From these data it can be seen that after three years of storage, the laboratory germination of clary sage seeds increased by 7%. It is known that the seeds of this type of essential oil plants are marked by deep organic dormancy, which is removed as a result of long post-harvest ripening. In order to bring them out of dormancy, the seeds of clary sage are sown under the conditions of the Crimea before winter, and full-fledged shoots appear only in spring.

The germination of anise and coriander has not changed over the three years of storage. In fennel, seed germination was low (42%), which indicates the presence of deep organic dormancy. After three years of storage, the germination of fennel seeds almost doubled - up to 75%. After 6 years of storage under unregulated temperature conditions, the germination of clary sage seeds decreased by 9%, anise - by 4%, coriander - by 47%. The germination of fennel seeds increased by 28% compared to the initial one, and decreased by 5% compared to the three-year storage.

table 2

Influence of growth regulators on the dynamics of laboratory germination of seeds of essential oil plants during storage

The effect of growth regulators on the germination of seeds of different types of essential oil plants was not the same. All preparations during storage of clary sage seeds were quite effective: during six-year storage under control, the germination of seeds was 78%, while in seeds treated with the preparation FMB it was 12% higher BSP – 20 %, agrophile – 21% and Emistim FROM – 18 %.

The germination of anise seeds treated with different growth regulators remained almost unchanged in comparison with the control. The effectiveness of the drugs turned out to be quite high BSP , agrophile and Emistim S on the safety of coriander seeds - the excess of germination over the control ranged from 22% to 45%. The greatest stimulating effect on the safety of fennel seeds (increase in germination by 9%) was shown by agrophile , other drugs were less effective. The best drugs for seed treatment for the purpose of long-term storage is: clary sage - agrophile , BSP and Emistim S ; coriander - BSP and agrophile ; fennel - agrophile .

The germination of anise seeds treated with different growth regulators, in comparison with the control, both during three and six years of storage, almost did not change.

Variability of seed microstructure

The microstructure of cereal seeds is determined by the ratio of small and large starch grains, protein matrix, protein attached to starch grains, as well as the presence of air cavities. As a result of germination, damage by fungi, self-heating, damage by pests and the influence of other factors, the structure of seeds undergoes significant changes. In the grains of corn, wheat, rice, during germination, noticeable transformations lie around: the shells and the aleurone layer swell strongly and increase in size. Cavities appear in the cells of the aleurone layer, since proteins are partially consumed to feed the embryo. The microstructure of the central part of the endosperm changes as a result of the use of proteins and starch for germination. A large number of air cavities appear, the endosperm becomes loose and fragile. Due to the irreversibility of germination processes, even swollen seeds are unable to provide normal seedlings.

With improper storage of seeds, mold fungi develop on the surface and in the middle of the grains. In this case, the fruit and seed coats are destroyed and the mold penetrates into the endosperm. Under the action of enzymes secreted by fungi, the cells of the aleurone layer and endosperm are destroyed, their surface turns from smooth and shiny into spongy, and air cavities are formed. As a result, the structure of the endosperm becomes loose and fragile.

With excessive seed moisture during storage due to an increase in the intensity of respiration of the grain mass and other biotic components (microorganisms, insects), the temperature rises to 55–65 °C, or even up to 70–75 °C. This phenomenon is called self-heating. It is accompanied by hydrolytic processes and intensive development of mold fungi. As a result of the hydrolysis of starch, the seeds become false vitreous. This changes the anatomical structure of all parts of the grain. The consistency of the hyaloplasm of endosperm cells becomes as if frozen, starch grains are damaged by enzymes. The protein matrix of the endosperm is partially consumed for the respiration and vital activity of fungi. As a result, air cavities are formed and the endosperm becomes loose.

Seed damage bug-turtle occurs in the field, when the insect, together with saliva, introduces proteolytic, amylolytic, and lipolytic enzymes into the endosperm. Active enzymatic reactions cause the destruction of the protein matrix and starch grains. Gluten in the damaged grain is rarefied, darkens or is not washed at all. The grain becomes loose, the endosperm is fragile.

Thus, as a result of germination, damage by fungi, self-warming and damage by the tortoise bug, deep microstructural disturbances occur in the seeds, which lead to a change in their biochemical composition and physiological state. As a result, the biological properties of seeds are significantly reduced or viability is completely lost, which excludes the possibility of using them as seed.

Chemical and mutagenic factors

A study of the action of various chemical factors showed that desiccants (magnesium chlorate, reglone, etc.), while accelerating ripening, do not show grain and vegetable plants during their storage.

The long-term maintenance of spring wheat seeds in gaseous nitrogen and carbon dioxide does not have any effect on the germination energy and germination.

Interesting data have been obtained on the reparation by means of chemical preparations of the biological properties of durum wheat seeds, which have undergone natural aging as a result of two-year storage. When they were treated with fusicoccin, sulfuric acid and sodium phosphate, as well as potassium, germination increased by 20% or more. Reparation is carried out more successfully when the seed aging process occurs at low moisture content.

During seed storage, deep violations metabolic processes. As a result, various waste products accumulate in them in large quantities, many of which exhibit a mutagenic effect. It has been proven that the frequency of spontaneous chromosomal aberrations increases with the storage of spring barley seeds. Thus, after seven years of storage in the mitosis of sprouts, 6.3% of chromosomes with disorders were found, while in the sprouts of freshly harvested seeds, only 2%.

Along with the natural mutation process during storage of corn seeds, the intensity of the occurrence of induced mutations also increases. The mutation process during seed storage is not uncontrollable. It has been established that by washing old seeds with running water and their pre-sowing treatment with extracts from germinating seeds - donors of barley and wheat - it is possible to significantly reduce the level of cell mutation.

Aging and longevity of seeds

The reverse reactions of seeds to the action of various factors during storage, expressed in the variability of the microstructure, physiological state, biochemical properties and genetic characteristics, determine the duration of storage of viability or its longevity.

Distinguish biological and economic seed longevity. Biological durability is the duration of the period during which the seeds retain the ability to germinate. Economic longevity is the duration of the period during which the seeds are able to germinate and provide a normal yield of offspring.

The longevity of seeds, as well as the entire process of their aging, depends on endogenous and exogenous factors. The causes and consequences of the aging process during seed storage have already been described above. They also determine the duration of the period of preservation of its viability.

The main metabolic processes leading to a decrease in the longevity of seeds. This is, first of all, the aging of the endosperm. When transplanting embryos onto the endosperm of another seed, it was found that the older the endosperm, the weaker the growth of the transplanted embryo.

Breathing intensity - one of the most important parameters of metabolism during storage of seeds. Long-lived seeds tend to have reduced respiration. Increased respiration precedes the loss of viability, which is most often associated with an increase in seed moisture and the intensity of microorganism development.

The loss of seed viability is often associated with the consumption of proteins and carbohydrates. Under normal storage conditions, the content of these substances in the seeds changes slightly. During storage in an atmosphere of carbon dioxide, starch disappears and the amount of sucrose and monosaccharides increases, with an overall unchanged carbohydrate content. During dry storage, seed viability may decrease as a result of gradual coagulation of embryonic proteins, although storage time does not significantly affect the quantitative protein content.

Japanese scientists found that during storage for 46–84 years, the content of fats and sugars in rice seeds decreased, while the amount of proteins, starch, crude fiber and ash did not change compared to freshly harvested seeds. Germination was completely lost. With the aging of seeds, the content of such physiologically active substances as vitamins and auxins decreases. Organic acids serve as a kind of test for the degree of seed viability. An increase in their number during storage, as a rule, is accompanied by a loss of germination. As the seeds are stored, there is an intensive accumulation of inhibitors and toxins. It was shown that seed aging is associated with a change in the content of nucleic acids in the tissues of the embryo. In seeds with lower germination energy, total RNA synthesis was 42% compared to seeds with higher germination energy.

Concerning the longevity of seeds, there are rather conflicting data. When storing seeds of chamomile officinalis from 1 to 7 years, the germination rate was respectively: 92; 83; 64; 40; eighteen; 9 and 2%. Seeds of clary sage harvested in 1993, 1995, 1998, 1999 and 2001 years, when analyzed in 2002, had a germination rate in%, respectively: 8, 67, 84, 67 and 98.

A large research program has been proposed at the Russian National Seed Vault, which stores the world's largest plant gene pool, created by N. I. Vavilov. This collection was grown and stored for a long time at the VIR base in St. Petersburg. However, the unfavorable soil and climatic conditions of this region negatively affected the formation of seeds and, consequently, the process of their storage. In this regard, in one of the fertile regions of Russia in this respect - the Krasnodar Territory (Armavir) - a unique complex was created for growing, storing and studying seeds of several hundred thousand different forms of plants.

On the basis of the Institute of Plant Industry of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the National Center for Plant Genetic Resources of Ukraine was established. More than 140,000 samples have been collected here for storage of the genetic fund of plants. An extensive research program is underway on the problems of seed storage.

At the end of autumn and winter, gardeners begin to deal with seeds, prepare for the next season. Already in early spring, you need to grow seedlings, plant early varieties vegetables.

Good seedlings will give those seedlings that were kept in appropriate conditions. Therefore, it is important to know how to store seeds properly.

1 What influences safety?

There are several factors that affect the storage of planting material. These include:

1. Cold. The lower the degrees, the longer the seedlings do not lose their germination. Warm air promotes rapid oxidation nutrients. Many novice gardeners are interested in the temperature at which seeds should be stored. For most seeds, + 12-16 degrees is suitable. Some seedlings love the cold, others should not be left at low degrees.
2. Humidity. With high humidity, seedlings can become moldy, germinate and even rot. Therefore, you need to store well-dried seeds. The room needs some ventilation. The optimum humidity should be no more than 50%. For cucumber, radish, tomato, beans, the allowable rate is 60%;
3. Purity. No debris should get into the planting material. From it, rotting can begin, they will appear, which will destroy the seedlings.
4. Air. Air currents contribute to the respiration of seeds. Usually large seeds are stored in open containers for better air circulation. This is especially true for legumes.
5. Darkness. The absence of light helps to keep the seeds dormant, prevents them from germinating. Before sowing, they are stored in complete darkness.

Due to non-compliance with these factors, planting material may lose its germination property. The main reason for poor germination is high humidity. Therefore, the collected planting material is dried on the street or indoors.

Lay out on newspaper or paper so that all the moisture is absorbed. You can not dry them under the sun, near the battery - you can. If the room is 20-25 degrees, the seeds will dry out in a few days.

1.1 How and where to store?

There are two ways to keep seeds:

1. Open. Planting material is in a container that passes moisture and air well to it. Suitable bags made of natural fabrics. They can be sewn from linen in one or two layers.
2. Closed. This method is used less often. It is necessary to place the planting material in a soft container made of waterproof material. The container should consist of two layers: fabric and polyethylene.

Experienced gardeners know how to properly store vegetable seeds. It is advised to place them in paper bags, and then in plastic bottles or cans. If the seeds from the purchased bag are not used up to the end, you can leave them in it, carefully wrapping them.

At the bottom of glass jars and plastic bottles it is recommended to pour a little starch or flour. They will help absorb excess moisture. The lid of the container is tightly closed. It is necessary to store planting material in the refrigerator or in a cool room.

It can also be kept in a room where there are no changes in humidity. The kitchen is not the best room for this. It is advised to place the seedlings closer to the floor, in the lower drawers of the cabinet. It is good to keep the seeds in the basement or where the degree of air heating is low. In this case, you will have to close the jars so that mice do not climb into them. Seeds stored in sachets or sacks can become damp, therefore, to keep them in the cellar, they are poured into dry bottles, tightly closed and stored like this all winter.

It is very convenient to keep planting material in plastic boxes with compartments for each type of crop. Suitable containers or organizers for small items.

1.2 How to properly store seeds of various crops? (video)

1.3 Term of use

You can see the date by which you need to have time to use the seeds on the package. It usually indicates the year of collection, class. Knowing the expiration date is necessary in order to get full seedlings. If the seeds were not planted before the specified date, their germination will be greatly reduced, the seedlings will be sick and exposed to pests.

Seeds usually keep longer than indicated on the package. Some gardeners buy seedlings that they received in the previous year. This is especially true for dill, parsley and other vegetables with a short shelf life. Many indoor and perennials lose their germination rate quickly, so they are planted immediately after purchase.

Each vegetable crop has its own shelf life of seeds. For example, for onions, it is 1–2 years, and for tomatoes, it can reach up to 10 years. Planting material of parsley and dill is stored for 2 to 3 years, and carrots and peppers - 3–4 years. The period of use of zucchini and eggplant seeds is 4 years, radish, watermelon, beet and pumpkin - 4–5 years.

Flower seeds also have different expiration dates. So, for example, aster planting material is stored for less than a year, for calendula and verbena, the period of use is 1-2 years, for chrysanthemum, dahlia - 2-3 years, for milk thistle and flax - 3 years, for cornflower - 5-6 years.

There are several rules for storing seeds that help to get a full harvest:

• seeds purchased from winter time years, immediately put in the refrigerator or store in a cool place. This is necessary so that condensate does not form in the bags, which increases the moisture content of the seeds;
• freshly harvested seeds germinate worse than those harvested from the previous year's crop. This applies to the northern regions of the country;
• before sowing, it is recommended to check the seeds for germination, even if they were stored under ideal conditions;
• do not stock up on planting material for the future;
• on packages with seedlings, marks should be made on when to sow this type of crop.

It is also important to choose the right seeds. For them, it is better to go to a flower or specialty store. It is advised to choose trusted manufacturers and pay attention to the expiration date. Varieties need to choose those that are suitable for this region, get carried away exotic plants not worth it.

It is important to know that they will not be able to maintain their properties in the next generations, so they will have to be bought every season. But they are more resistant to diseases and develop quickly, giving a stable harvest. The bags with hybrid materials are labeled F1.

Before you start planting seeds after "hibernation", you should familiarize yourself with the rules for bringing them out of dormancy, as well as how to stimulate a quick shoot.

Astrakhan tomatoes ripen remarkably lying on the ground, but you should not repeat this experience in the Moscow region. Our tomatoes need support, support, a garter. My neighbors use all sorts of pegs, garters, loops, ready-made plant supports, and mesh fences. Each method of fixing the plant in an upright position has its own advantages and " side effects". I'll tell you how I place tomato bushes on trellises, and what comes of it.

Flies are a sign of unsanitary conditions and carriers of infectious diseases that are dangerous for both humans and animals. People are constantly looking for ways to get rid of nasty insects. In this article, we will talk about the Zlobny TED brand, which specializes in fly protection products and knows a lot about them. The manufacturer has developed a specialized line of drugs to get rid of flying insects anywhere quickly, safely and without extra costs.

The summer months are the time for hydrangeas to bloom. This beautiful deciduous shrub is luxuriously fragrant with flowers from June to September. Florists willingly use large inflorescences for wedding decors and bouquets. To admire the beauty of a flowering hydrangea bush in your garden, you should take care of the proper conditions for it. Unfortunately, some hydrangeas do not bloom year after year, despite the care and efforts of gardeners. Why this happens, we will tell in the article.

Every summer resident knows that for full development Plants need nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. These are the three main macronutrients, the deficiency of which significantly affects appearance and yield of plants, and in advanced cases can lead to their death. But at the same time, not everyone understands the importance of other macro- and microelements for plant health. And they are important not only in themselves, but also for the effective absorption of the same nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

garden strawberry, or strawberry, as we used to call it, is one of the early fragrant berries that summer generously endows us with. How we rejoice in this harvest! In order for the "berry boom" to repeat every year, we need to take care of the care of the berry bushes in the summer (after the end of fruiting). The laying of flower buds, from which ovaries will form in spring, and berries in summer, begins approximately 30 days after the end of fruiting.

Spicy pickled watermelon is a savory snack for fatty meat. Watermelons and watermelon rinds have been pickled since time immemorial, but the process is laborious and time consuming. According to my recipe, it’s easy to cook pickled watermelon in 10 minutes, and a spicy snack will be ready by the evening. The watermelon marinated with spices and chili is stored in the refrigerator for several days. Be sure to keep the jar in the refrigerator, not only for the sake of preservation - chilled, this snack is just licking your fingers!

Among the variety of species and hybrids of philodendrons, there are many plants, both gigantic and compact. But not a single species competes in unpretentiousness with the main modest - blushing philodendron. True, his modesty does not concern the appearance of the plant. Reddening stems and cuttings, huge leaves, long shoots, forming, although very large, but also strikingly elegant silhouette, look very elegant. Philodendron blushing requires only one thing - at least minimal care.

Thick Chickpea Soup with Vegetables and Egg is an easy recipe for a hearty first course inspired by Oriental cuisine. Similar thick soups are prepared in India, Morocco, and the countries of Southeast Asia. The tone is set by spices and seasonings - garlic, chili, ginger and a bouquet of spicy spices, which can be assembled to your liking. It is better to fry vegetables and spices in melted butter (ghee) or mix olive oil and butter in a saucepan, this, of course, is not the same, but it tastes similar.

Plum - well, who does not know her ?! She is loved by many gardeners. And all because it has an impressive list of varieties, surprises with excellent harvests, pleases with its variety in terms of ripening and a huge choice of color, shape and taste of fruits. Yes, somewhere she feels better, somewhere worse, but almost no summer resident refuses to grow her on her plot. Today it can be found not only in the south, in middle lane, but also in the Urals, in Siberia.

Many ornamental and fruit crops, except for drought-resistant ones, suffer from the scorching sun, and conifers in the winter-spring period - from the sun's rays, enhanced by the reflection from the snow. In this article we will talk about a unique preparation for protecting plants from sunburn and droughts - Sunshet Agrosuccess. The problem is relevant for most regions of Russia. In February and early March, the sun's rays become more active, and the plants are not yet ready for new conditions.

“Each vegetable has its own time”, and each plant has its own optimal time for planting. Anyone who has experienced planting is well aware that the hot season for planting is spring and autumn. This is due to several factors: in spring, the plants have not yet started to grow rapidly, there is no sweltering heat, and precipitation often falls. However, no matter how hard we try, circumstances often develop in such a way that landings have to be carried out at the very height of summer.

Chile con carne translated from Spanish- chili with meat. This is a Texan dish and mexican cuisine, the main ingredients of which are chili peppers and shredded beef. In addition to the main products, there are onions, carrots, tomatoes, and beans. This red lentil chili recipe is delicious! The dish is fiery, burning, very satisfying and amazingly tasty! You can cook a large pot, arrange in containers and freeze - a whole week will be a delicious dinner.

Cucumber is one of the most beloved garden crops of our summer residents. However, not all and not always gardeners manage to get a really good harvest. And although growing cucumbers requires regular attention and care, there is a little secret that will significantly increase their yield. It's about pinching cucumbers. Why, how and when to pinch cucumbers, we will tell in the article. An important point in the cultivation of cucumbers is their formation, or type of growth.

Now every gardener has the opportunity to grow absolutely organic, healthy fruits and vegetables in his own garden. The microbiological fertilizer Atlant will help in this. It contains helper bacteria that settle in the zone of the root system and begin to work for the benefit of the plant, allowing it to actively grow, stay healthy and give high yields. Usually, many microorganisms coexist around the root system of plants.

Summer is associated with beautiful flowers. Both in the garden and in the rooms you want to admire the luxurious inflorescences and touching flowers. And for this it is not at all necessary to use cut bouquets. In the range of the best indoor plants many beautiful flowering species. In the summer, when they receive the brightest lighting and the optimal duration of daylight hours, they are able to outshine any bouquet. Short-lived or just annual crops look like living bouquets.

The summer season has come to an end, but gardeners probably have seeds - purchased with a long shelf life and grown on their site - that will be sown in the spring. Is it possible to leave the seeds for the winter in an unheated room, will frost damage the seeds? Is it possible to store seeds in a city apartment? We figure out how to properly store seeds in the winter.

It is important to keep the seeds in conditions that ensure the preservation of high sowing qualities.

When ripe, the seed gives off water and dries. Since life processes can only take place in aquatic environment, then as the seed matures and dries, they fade. Mature seeds contain the embryo in a dormant state and reserve nutrients in solid form. They are very dry (moisture content 12–20%). Like a protective shell, the hardened seed coat surrounds them.

Maintaining the dryness of seeds during storage is the main condition for maintaining their viability.

At what temperature should seeds be stored

The worst enemy of dormant seeds is warm, moist air. Where it is hot and humid, seeds can lose their viability in a matter of months, and in free access to air, in a few weeks. Sharp changes in temperature are also unfavorable for them. The ideal conditions for storing most seeds are moderate temperatures (12–15°C) without significant fluctuations and moderate relative humidity (not higher than 50%).

Seeds should not be left for the winter in unheated rooms in garden plots; it is better to transport them to the city without leaving them in dampness and cold for a long time. For damp seeds, shallow freezing (from 0° to -10°) is often fatal, especially when repeatedly passing through 0°.

Deep freezing (from -15° and below) dry seeds vegetable crops retain their viability well, but storage of seeds at sub-zero temperatures is still undesirable. They fall into a state of deep dormancy and under normal germination conditions behave like dissimilar. To bring them into an active state, stimulating effects, such as warming up, are required.

So where is it better to store seeds at home, in particular, in a city apartment? It is clear that the seeds cannot be stored in the kitchen due to large changes in humidity. They should also not be kept in the refrigerator door, as each time the door is opened, cold objects on the door come into contact with warm air and moisture condenses on them.

The most suitable place for storing seeds is living rooms, although there are no ideal conditions. The temperature in the living rooms is several degrees above the optimum, and when the central heating is turned on, the air in them is too dry (relative humidity is usually about 25% in winter).

But the temperature fluctuations there are small and not sharp. Under these conditions, drying out is a danger: if seed moisture drops below 10–12%, this leads to a rapid loss of germination. And yet, we will not find a better place to store seeds than the bottom shelf of a linen closet in a living room or the bottom drawer of a desk.

By packing the seeds in plastic bags or foil, we will limit the access of air to the seeds and prevent them from drying out.

If you prefer to keep the seeds in the refrigerator, then keep them in the lower compartment. Before sowing seedlings, seeds stored in the cold must be activated.

Either the seeds are removed from the refrigerator in advance (one month before sowing) and kept at a temperature of 25-30 ° C, placing the seed bags in a plastic bag to prevent drying.

Or you need a short warm-up in hot water- at 50-52°C for 25 minutes, which is also a thermal disinfection.

The longevity of seeds of different crops is not the same. Under normal storage conditions, it ranges from 1–2 to 6–8 years. Under particularly favorable conditions, seeds can remain viable for much longer than the average periods indicated in the table.

The time during which the seeds remain viable depends not only on the type of crop and storage conditions, but also on the weather conditions of the season in which the seeds were obtained. Seeds grown in a warm, sunny summer last longer than those grown in a cold, rainy one.

Shelf life of vegetable seeds

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How to store vegetables in the apartment? If self-grown in the country, then store in the country in the cellar (we never grew much, but the leftover vegetables often survived until the New Year). How to store things properly. You can contact any charitable organization.

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Seed storage. - get-togethers. Dacha, garden and vegetable garden. Dacha and country plots: buying, landscaping, planting trees and there is a wall cabinet or mezzanine in the apartment, well, there is a cabinet in the corridor, put it in it and that's it. Only then you need to remember about them, about seeds.

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Some gardeners do not see the point in storing seeds, because with the onset of spring, you can just go to the store and buy literally everything your heart desires. However, sometimes seeds of varieties of interest (especially rare ones) are not available for sale, in which case you have to be content with what you have. And many people collect the seeds of their favorite varieties on their own, respectively, they need to save them safe and sound until spring.

What determines the survival of seeds

To a large extent, the processes occurring in the seeds are also affected by the temperature of their storage. If it is too high, the seeds will begin to breathe more actively, respectively, the nutrient reserves in them will begin to oxidize much faster. Seeds can retain their germination capacity only if they are stored in sufficiently cool rooms. During normal storage in warm places, seeds often partially or completely lose their germination capacity. And if you place them on the side shelf at the bottom of the refrigerator, their germination practically does not change.

Slight coolness, that is, a temperature in the range of twelve to sixteen degrees, is ideal for storing most seeds. But for the storage of seeds of onions, carrots and asters, cold is required. If possible, it is better to leave them to spend the winter in the country. In principle, the balcony of the apartment is also suitable. As for the seeds of various root crops and salads, low temperatures, on the contrary, are contraindicated for their storage, otherwise they will unpleasantly surprise you with early bolting when sown, which cannot but affect the volume of the crop.

Another important factor for storing seeds is their purity, which refers to the absence of debris in the seeds that can provoke their decay. There should not be various granivorous pests in the seeds - they will easily destroy stocks in just some two to three months.

As for air, of course, the seeds also need it, but it will be enough in very small volumes. As a rule, the air is removed from the seed bags almost completely. However, here there is an exception - these are large-sized seeds (legumes, for example). Good air circulation can significantly extend their life. So for storing legume seeds, unclosed jars or bags placed in a dry place will be an ideal option.

And in order to provide the seeds with deep rest, they should be stored in the dark. They will not need light until the very sowing, as it provokes the germination of seeds.

How to pack seeds

Regarding paper bags, although they are quite cheap, the shelf life of the seeds stored in them is usually much less. Moreover, such packaging cannot guarantee high seed germination and, accordingly, decent yields. Here's how lucky.

Of course, all seeds must be signed, indicating the names of crops and their varieties, as well as the years the seeds were collected.

Where is the best place to store seeds?

If there are a lot of seeds, then it is best to store them in places with a constantly low temperature - in the underground or in the basement. And to protect them from excessive dampness and from mice, the seeds can be placed in small jars, the lids of which can be easily sealed tightly. Silicogel also protects well from moisture - it can often be found in packages from under shoes and bags. This synthetic material perfectly absorbs moisture from the air. If you put a few grains in jars with seeds, they will absorb all the excess dampness in the shortest possible time.

Seed germination is one of the main indicators of their quality. It is not the same for different species. However, it is important to bear in mind that at the end of this time, the germination of seeds is not completely lost, but only begins to decline. If you need wholesale mustard seeds, you can find information about the most favorable conditions for their purchase on the website of KERNEL GLOBAL HOLDING.

So, let's dwell on how to store mustard seeds so that your plans for a good harvest are fully justified.

Properly chosen storage conditions have the most direct impact on maintaining the germination rate. At the same time, there is general rules, which must be followed when storing any seeds, including mustard seeds.

Storage highlights

The duration of seed germination at rest is influenced by various factors:

1. the chemical composition of the air in the storage;
2. storage temperature;
3. seed moisture.

Of great importance are the activities preceding the actual storage - growing conditions, harvesting period, post-harvest processing. So, for example, illiterate drying of seeds can cause a sharp decrease in germination and an increase in the population of seeds with fungi and bacteria.

Post-harvest ripening of the testes and subsequent drying of the seeds completes the ripening of the seeds. After the seeds reach the economic conditional humidity, they are laid for storage.

Mustard seeds do not lose their germination capacity up to 8 years with proper storage. However, this period cannot be considered strictly limiting. Under appropriate conditions, the seeds of many crops can be stored for much longer. But under poor storage conditions, germination can drop sharply earlier than indicated.

The main reason for the loss of seed germination is their moisture content. Under conditions of high relative humidity and temperature, the seeds quickly lose their germination. In order to maintain seed germination at the level of the 1st class for a long time, it is necessary to maintain such conditions under which low seed moisture is combined with low temperature and humidity of the environment.

Regardless of the type of mustard, the buyer or the importing country, the quality of mustard seeds must meet the standards for moisture, color, smell, admissibility of weed, oil and mineral impurities, "dark inclusions". The surface of the seeds should be smooth and clean.

Compliance with microbiological indicators is mandatory, the seeds must be safe in terms of the content of heavy metals and radionuclides, pesticides, toxins, and must not contain genetically modified organisms.

Deviation from these standards is either not allowed (in the case of a buyer-processor), or, due to a discrepancy between physical and organoleptic indicators, the price of seeds is significantly reduced if the buyer is a wholesale intermediary capable of bringing the product to basic quality.

As you know, the production of mustard seeds in Ukraine is not yet targeted, although the country is among the top ten world leaders in the cultivation of this oilseed. But we are still far behind Canada - the largest mustard producer. However, not being a leader in the production of white mustard seeds, which is especially in demand on the world oilseeds market, Ukraine remains a reliable supplier of high quality seeds.

Seeds of vegetable crops, when properly stored, remain viable for a long time and have good germination energy at optimal temperatures. However, often vegetable growers are faced with the fact that the sown seeds do not germinate.

The main reason is improper storage: either the seeds were stored longer than they can remain viable, or the storage conditions were unfavorable. Seeds of different crops and varieties are stored differently.

Watermelon and melon seeds can be stored for 6-8 years; beans, peas, beans - 5-6; rutabagas, turnips, cabbages and Brussels sprouts, radishes, radishes, table beets and chard, tomatoes - 4-5; eggplant - 3-5; onions, lettuce - 3-4; carrots, rhubarb, spinach, sorrel - 2-3, pepper - 3; dill - 2-5; parsnips, parsley, celery, rhubarb - 2; zucchini, squash, pumpkin - 6-7; corn - 7 years. Cucumber seeds remain viable for about 8 years. The most productive seeds are 2-4 years old.

So that the seeds do not lose their qualities during the specified period, they must be properly stored. Fresh seeds need to be warmed up, then they will form more female flowers and, therefore, the harvest will be better. The optimum temperature for storing seeds is 0-5 ° C. At the same time, air humidity should not exceed 55%, that is, the room should be dry. Temperature fluctuations, which lead to an increase in humidity, are especially dangerous for seeds. Even due to small negative temperatures, some seeds deteriorate (cucumbers are especially affected). When storing seeds in normal room conditions it is necessary to ensure that the air temperature does not exceed 18 ° C, as they dry out. Seeds of annual and biennial crops are stored for a considerable time. It makes no sense to store seeds of perennials (sorrel, rhubarb, perennial onions): by the time planting needs to be resumed, seed germination may be too low.

For long-term storage, you need to lay seeds grown in warm and dry years (they are better stored, and plants grown from them have better characteristics). Unripe seeds or seeds from unripe fruits are not stored for a long time (for example, the germination of tomato seeds from brown or green fruits that ripened in a room is at first about 95-98%, after 2 years it decreases significantly). Seeds of early-ripening varieties, compared with late-ripening ones, lose their germination capacity faster during storage.

Do not store wet seeds, as well as seeds with an admixture of pulp, chaff, which easily absorb moisture from the air. Only large, filled seeds should be selected for storage. Small and feeble seeds quickly lose their germination and give a poor harvest. Seeds with low germination should not be stored for storage: when sowing, they need to be used more than usual, and emerging plants give a poor harvest.

Before laying the seeds for storage, you need to clean them from impurities, determine their germination and dry them to the required moisture content. Usually the seeds are dried during the collection period, and dried before storage. Despite the fact that the seeds had to go through all these procedures during harvesting, they must be repeated before storage, removing small ones.

To clear the seeds tomato, you need to pour them into a tight bag (fill it for 1 / 3 volume) and grind them for 5-8 minutes. At the same time, sticky seeds, pulp and part of the hairs are separated. If in the future sticky specimens are not found, the seeds are poured into a 5% solution of table salt (5 g of salt per 100 g of water). The volume of the solution should be 3 times greater than the volume of the seeds. All you need to mix thoroughly and let stand for 2-3 minutes. Floated feeble seeds and pieces of pulp must be drained together with a salt solution, and those remaining at the bottom should be washed well with water and dried, spreading out in a thin layer. Seeds are dried in a dry room at a temperature of 25-30 ° C for 2-3 days, then poured into a bag.

seeds pepper are selected manually, the weakest and lightest ones are removed. seeds eggplant, like tomato seeds, first fray in a bag, and then passed through a saline solution. seeds carrots, parsley also rub with hands in a bag for 5 minutes, while removing spines and cilia. The ground seeds are screened, placed in a 5% saline solution and mixed. Seeds are immature and with low germination emerge. They are drained together with the solution, and those that have settled to the bottom are washed with water and dried. The seeds are also cleaned. pumpkin, cucumber, zucchini and melon. When grinding, they acquire a smooth, shiny surface, adhering pieces of pulp are removed.

To remove seeds peas, damaged by bruchus, or beans with bean moth use a 33-35% solution of ammonium nitrate. The seeds damaged by pests float up, they are drained together with the solution and brewed in it, and those that have settled to the bottom are washed with clean water and dried.

seeds watermelon sorted, removing the weak and insufficiently colored. You can manually remove the shriveled seeds pumpkin, zucchini and squash. seeds cabbage first pass through a round sieve with holes with a diameter of 1.5 mm. All small seeds are discarded, those remaining on the sieve are passed through a brine solution, washed and dried. Seeds are sorted swede and some other cultures. Do not forget that cabbage plants have varieties with seeds smaller than 1.5 mm, and in dry years, all varieties develop small seeds. In such cases, a sieve with cells of a smaller diameter is used. For seed sorting radishes and radishes a sieve with holes with a diameter of 2-2.5 mm is suitable, feeble seeds are separated on them. seeds dill, lettuce and parsnips they are cleaned of debris (bad seeds are separated) by winding them in the wind or with a fan. To clean the seed beets, you need to stick a fleecy fabric on a small board or thick cardboard and lift it at an angle to create a slope along which the beet balls will roll. Impurities linger on the fabric. Seeds can also be sorted out by hand.

Immediately after cleaning, the sowing properties of seeds to be stored should be determined. It is easy to do this at home. At the bottom of a plate or saucer, you need to put wet gauze (maintain moisture) to provide the seeds with the moisture necessary for germination. Seeds are laid out in rows on gauze: small - 100 pieces, medium - 50, large - 25 pieces. From above they must be covered with the same gauze, and then with a saucer. Seeds of almost all vegetable crops germinate well at 18-20 ° C, only lemon balm requires a temperature of 35 ° C, and for onions and spinach - 15-20 ° C. Daily seeds should be viewed, counted and removed those that gave roots. When the germination period ends, you need to determine the total number of germinated seeds and calculate the germination rate. For most vegetable and spice crops, the seed germination period is 10 days; for anise, eggplant, coriander, borage, pepper, parsley, rhubarb, spinach - 15; for oregano, lemon balm, parsnip, celery, dill - 20 days. Seed germination of more than 90% is an excellent result, 80 is good, and 60-80% is satisfactory. Seeds with satisfactory germination are stored for storage only for the nearest crops and in the case when there are no better ones. If they are stored in an open container, the germination is checked annually 1.5-2 months before sowing in order to discard those in which it has decreased.

The easiest way to store seeds is in a room or pantry, in paper bags or cloth bags. It is simple, but unreliable, since significant fluctuations in temperature and humidity are possible in the room. In addition, the seed material absorbs moisture from the air and, as a result, loses its germination capacity. The higher the temperature and humidity of the air, the faster the seeds lose their germination capacity, therefore, in this way, seed material is stored with a moisture content of no more than 9%. You can determine the approximate moisture content of tomato, pepper or cucumber seeds by breaking the seed. If this fails and the seed bends, then the moisture content exceeds 10%. At open method storage, it must be remembered that the lower the moisture content of the seeds before laying, the less they absorb moisture from the air. Seeds should not be stored in an unheated barn.

Paper bags for packaging seeds intended for storage are made like those in which pharmaceutical powders are stored. A large number of seeds are best placed in cloth bags. On the package, with a simple pencil or ballpoint pen, write the name of the crop, variety, year of cultivation, germination and seed weight. Bags should not be filled too tightly. To protect against mice, they are placed in a metal or wooden box, but do not close it hermetically. Once a month, the seeds are viewed. If mold or other manifestations of high humidity are found, they are dried, aired and placed in a new container.

For storage in a hermetically sealed container, you can use glass vials, bottles, canning jars, plastic film bags, etc. This will protect the seeds from the main enemy - high humidity. When stored in such a container, the seeds should have a moisture content of less than 7%.

The most valuable seeds (hybrid onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, as well as rare flowers, such as asters) can be stored in the freezer of the refrigerator. To store a small amount of seeds, you can take glass vials. Peeled and dried seeds are poured into a bottle, a label is placed there, the second label is glued to the bottle and placed in the freezer. Under such conditions, the seeds can be stored for several years. If necessary, pour the right amount of seeds, close the bottle and put it in the refrigerator.

Store seeds and plastic bag in the room. A bag with seeds and a label is sealed, the necessary inscriptions are made. In this way, seeds can be stored 2 times longer than usual. If you need to select some of the seeds from the bag, one of its corners is cut, the required amount of seeds is poured out, and the corner is sealed again.

You can store the seeds in the cellar in an airtight container. The advantage of this method is that the cellar has a constant, relatively low temperature throughout the year. For storing seeds in the cellar, it is good to use glass jars (half-liter or liter, depending on the number of seeds). Seed moisture in this storage method should not exceed 5-7%. Therefore, before laying them in jars, they are dried in a dry room at 27-28 ° C, since it is not always possible to dry them immediately after collection. Dried seeds are divided into portions, the size of which depends on how many seeds of a given variety or crop are required each year. Seeds are poured into bags, on which the necessary inscriptions are made, and the bags are laid out in jars. Each jar contains as many seeds of each variety as needed to grow vegetables in one year. The jars are closed with metal lids and rolled up (as in home canning), the lid is thickly greased with grease, and the jars are placed in the cellar. At the same time, the intensity of seed respiration is low, and moisture is not terrible for them.

With this method, the conditions for storing seeds are more favorable than when storing the seeds of each crop in a separate jar, since in the latter case it is necessary to open and close the jars annually, violating the gas regime, on which the safety of seed quality depends. Banks are opened in 1.5-2 months. before sowing to check their germination.

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