Seed Storage, Conservation and Longevity

A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Seed Science and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 December 2023) | Viewed by 6318

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Plant Physiology, Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland
Interests: legume seed quality; seed carbohydrates; seed proteome; long term storage
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Plant Physiology, Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland
Interests: seed longevity; desiccation; cryopreservation; crop science

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

A Special Issue of Agriculture is going to be released in the second half of 2023, devoted to seed storage and longevity. The subject is extremely pertinent these days, in the times of accelerating climate change, declining biodiversity, political and economic conflicts, and the rapidly expanding range of available research methods. We are pleased to invite you to submit the results of your discoveries to share them with the readers of our journal. Agriculture is an international, scientific peer-reviewed open access journal published monthly online by MDPI.

The Special Issue announced here will provide a platform for presenting recent developments in areas spanning the following subjects: the effects of biotic and abiotic factors on seed storage, vigor, and viability assessments, seed biochemical composition and its changes during storage, genetic determinants of seed storability, seed aging manifestations in various cell compartments, and seed banks. Original research articles and reviews are welcome. We look forward to receiving your contributions

Prof. Dr. Agnieszka Piotrowicz-Cieślak
Dr. Dariusz J. Michalczyk
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agriculture is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • seed longevity
  • vigor
  • viability
  • deterioration
  • aging
  • seed testing
  • seed enhancement
  • dormancy

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 2432 KiB  
Article
Effect of Warm-Dry Storage and Supplemental Application of Gibberellins on the Lipid Profile of Chincuya Seeds (Annona purpurea Moc. & Sessé ex Dunal)
by Eloísa Vidal-Lezama, Benito Reyes-Trejo, Ángel Villegas-Monter, Humberto Vaquera-Huerta, Alejandrina Robledo-Paz, Alejandro Martínez-Palacios and Gisela Ferreira
Agriculture 2024, 14(3), 385; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14030385 - 28 Feb 2024
Viewed by 595
Abstract
Despite ample knowledge of the effect of warm-dry storage on breaking dormancy in chincuya (Annona purpurea Moc. & Sessé ex Dunal) seeds, this paper investigates an important new aspect of this process—the applicability of seed treatment with gibberellic acid and its influence [...] Read more.
Despite ample knowledge of the effect of warm-dry storage on breaking dormancy in chincuya (Annona purpurea Moc. & Sessé ex Dunal) seeds, this paper investigates an important new aspect of this process—the applicability of seed treatment with gibberellic acid and its influence on seed viability and fatty acid profile. Chincuya is an underutilized, tropical wild species native to Mexico, with potential as a biopesticide. The impact of warm-dry storage and gibberellic acid treatment on seed viability and germination was determined to improve that knowledge further. Also, the content and kinetics of fatty acids in chincuya seeds were profiled during warm-dry storage. Seed treatments included storage time (0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months), seed imbibition for 72 h in gibberellic acid at 350 mg L−1, and distilled water imbibition for 72 h for the control treatment. Seed viability was determined using the TTZ classic test. Imbibed seeds were germinated on paper towels and incubated at 30 °C during the day and 25 °C at night in a 12:12 h dark/light photoperiod. The lipid profile was obtained by gas chromatography. During the storage treatment, seeds stayed in darkness at 25 ± 3 °C. Results showed that high viability remained up to month 9 in storage when it significantly decreased. Freshly harvested seeds germinated at a statistically significantly lower rate (26.1%) than six-month-old seeds (65.6%). The profile of fatty acids breaks down as palmitic acid (33.41%), stearic acid (7.72%), and arachidic acid (1.30%), for a total of 42.44% of saturated fatty acids. The detected unsaturated fatty acids (52.15%) were palmitoleic acid (1.52%), oleic acid (43.37%), and linoleic acid (7.24%). No significant changes were detected in fatty acid content; however, the highest fatty acid content (92.84%) occurred with the highest germination rate. Regression analysis showed significant content changes: palmitoleic and palmitic acids increased while oleic acid decreased during dry storage. Arachidic acid showed a slight downward trend. Also, fatty acid content significantly differed between intact seeds (unstored and unincubated) and latent seeds (unstored, incubated, and ungerminated). The total fatty acids content for latent seeds was significantly lower. These results show that Annona purpurea seeds present morphophysiological dormancy. Also, we document the highest germination rate reported (65.6%) and report the presence of arachidic and palmitoleic acids in chincuya seeds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seed Storage, Conservation and Longevity)
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19 pages, 2166 KiB  
Article
Overcoming Low Germination and Low Quality of Flax Seeds (Linum usitatissimum L.) in Unfavorable Storage Using Static Magnetic Fields
by Dušica Ćalić, Jasna L. Ristić-Djurović, Saša Ćirković, Jelena Milojević, Maja Belić, Mariana Stanišić and Snežana Zdravković-Korać
Agriculture 2023, 13(11), 2120; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13112120 - 9 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1175
Abstract
Flax seeds stored in unfavorable conditions were exposed to static magnetic fields (SMFs) of 50–350 mT for 20–120 min to overcome low germination and quality. Seed germination increased slightly with increasing strength of SMF and duration of treatment. Seed germination from 89% to [...] Read more.
Flax seeds stored in unfavorable conditions were exposed to static magnetic fields (SMFs) of 50–350 mT for 20–120 min to overcome low germination and quality. Seed germination increased slightly with increasing strength of SMF and duration of treatment. Seed germination from 89% to 100% was achieved in SMF treatments of 150 mT (120 min), 200 mT (80–120 mT), 250 mT (60–120 min), 300 mT (40–120 min), and 350 mT (40–120 min). In these treatments, germination was 2.78- to 3.12-fold higher than in the control after 10 days. Treatments with 350 mT for 100 and 120 min showed the best results in germination (100%), as well as a 26.81-fold increase in vigor I, 28.69-fold increase in vigor II, 1-fold increase in chlorophyll a, 0.84-fold in chlorophyll b, 0.46-fold increase in carotenoid content, and 2.63-fold increase in catalase activity compared to the control after 10 days. Also, SMF treatment of 350 mT (20–120 min) reduced cell leakage and electrical conductivity by 1-fold compared to the control. SMF is a healthy, biologically safe, and environmentally friendly treatment and can be a tool for overcoming problems of low germination and quality of seeds stored under unfavorable conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seed Storage, Conservation and Longevity)
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13 pages, 890 KiB  
Article
Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Activity and Germination of Corn Seeds Stored under Vacuum Pressure
by Arturo Mancera-Rico, Mario E. Vázquez-Badillo, Ernesto Cerna-Chávez, Miriam Sánchez-Vega and Elizabeth González-Estrada
Agriculture 2023, 13(10), 2035; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13102035 - 22 Oct 2023
Viewed by 922
Abstract
Warehouse pests cause losses in seed quality by physically damaging seeds, carrying other pathogens, and leaving residues of their consumption or their remains. Taking into account that warehouse pests have higher metabolism rates than seeds, in the present study, the viability of Sitophilus [...] Read more.
Warehouse pests cause losses in seed quality by physically damaging seeds, carrying other pathogens, and leaving residues of their consumption or their remains. Taking into account that warehouse pests have higher metabolism rates than seeds, in the present study, the viability of Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky & V.de, 1855) insects and the germination of corn seeds were evaluated for 93 and 180 days, respectively, under conditions of a partial vacuum (0.26 atm (atmosphere)), hermetic sealing, and air exchange. The partial vacuum environment (0.26 atm) did not negatively affect the germination of the seeds over a period of 180 days and resulted in the mortality of adult insects from the 4th day onwards; it also completely prevented physical damage to the seeds. The hermetic packaging did not negatively affect germination, but the insects remained active until day 34, and there was severe damage to the seeds used for their sustenance. Similarly, the gas exchange packaging did not affect germination, but the insects remained active until the last day of observation (93) and also caused severe damage to the seeds used for their maintenance. Partial vacuum (0.26 atm) storage represents a practical solution in certain conditions, for example, the short-term (6 months) storage of germplasms at room temperature (24–26 °C); it can also be useful in the storage and transfer of grains, with the possibility of eliminating or reducing the need for insecticide applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seed Storage, Conservation and Longevity)
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12 pages, 280 KiB  
Article
Physiological and Biochemical Parameters of Field Bean (Vicia faba var. minor) Seeds Stored for 33 Years
by Dariusz J. Michalczyk, Magdalena Krupka, Jan Kamiński, Marta Wierzbicka, Sonia Floryańska, Wiktor Kopeć and Agnieszka I. Piotrowicz-Cieślak
Agriculture 2023, 13(10), 2012; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13102012 - 17 Oct 2023
Viewed by 912
Abstract
Changes occurring in seeds of two field bean cultivars during long-term storage at −14 °C, +4 °C and +20 °C were examined. It was found that after 33 years of storage at low temperatures, the seeds showed a significant decline in biological quality, [...] Read more.
Changes occurring in seeds of two field bean cultivars during long-term storage at −14 °C, +4 °C and +20 °C were examined. It was found that after 33 years of storage at low temperatures, the seeds showed a significant decline in biological quality, and the seeds stored at +20 °C completely lost their germination capacity. As the seeds aged, changes in their phenolic composition, concentrations of polyamines and activity of enzymes associated with redox homeostasis and phenolic metabolism could be easily observed. The activity of ascorbate peroxidase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase in deteriorated seeds was higher than in high-quality seeds. The activity of guaiacol peroxidase, catalase and glutathione reductase in low-quality seeds was decreased. With superoxide dismutase, the pattern was less clear-cut and depended on both seed biological quality and cultivar. Whole seed levels of spermine and spermidine decreased in ageing seeds and were lowest in non-germinating seeds. However, the opposite pattern was observed regarding spermine and spermidine, as well as putrescine, in seed coats. The obtained results indicate that changes in the activity of redox and protective systems in seeds have a clear relationship with the seed biological quality and can be detected even at a moderate level of seed deterioration. The analyses of such changes can significantly facilitate the assessment of seed quality and can therefore be of interest for seed companies and seed banks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seed Storage, Conservation and Longevity)
13 pages, 288 KiB  
Article
Ensiling, In Vitro Rumen Digestion and Soaking in Slurry Altered the Germination Capacity of Rumex obtusifolius Seeds
by Anastazija Gselman and Maksimiljan Brus
Agriculture 2023, 13(7), 1347; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13071347 - 4 Jul 2023
Viewed by 1192
Abstract
This study investigated whether the process of ensiling and in vitro digestion in rumen juice, as well as the response to soaking in pig or cattle slurry, affects the germination rate and germination energy of Rumex obtusifolius (broad-leaved dock) seeds. Seeds were subjected [...] Read more.
This study investigated whether the process of ensiling and in vitro digestion in rumen juice, as well as the response to soaking in pig or cattle slurry, affects the germination rate and germination energy of Rumex obtusifolius (broad-leaved dock) seeds. Seeds were subjected to different treatments (200 seeds each) in three experiments: (I) seed ensiling (8 weeks) followed by in vitro rumen digestion (24, 36 and 48 h); (II) the soaking of non-ensiled and ensiled seeds in cattle or pig slurry (2, 4 and 24 weeks); and (III) the in vitro rumen digestion (24, 36 and 48 h) of non-ensiled and ensiled seeds followed by soaking in cattle or pig slurry (24 weeks). The control treatment included untreated seed (0—non-ensiled seed; 0—no in vitro rumen digestion; and 0—no soaking in slurry). Germination tests (germination rate and germination energy) were then conducted in four replicates in the germination chamber under alternating day (20–35 °C for 14 h under light) and night conditions (17–20 °C for 10 h without light) at 75% relative humidity. Experiment I showed that ensiling significantly (p ≤ 0.001) reduced both the germination rate and germination energy of R. obtusifolius seeds. In addition, the length of in vitro digestion duration that the non-ensiled seeds were subjected to significantly (p ≤ 0.001) reduced their germination energy but not the total germination rate. However, the seeds that were subjected to the process of ensiling and in vitro digestion in the rumen lost their germination completely. The Experiment II investigated the effects of soaking non-ensiled seeds in slurry and showed that germination rates were comparable in pig and cattle slurry. Longer soaking times significantly reduced the germination rate, with no germination observed after 24 weeks. The Experiment III considered the combined effects of in vitro digestion and slurry soaking and showed that rumen digestion reduced the proportion of germinable seeds. Germination was inhibited in pig slurry, while in cattle slurry, a decreasing germination rate was observed with increasing digestion time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seed Storage, Conservation and Longevity)
14 pages, 1561 KiB  
Article
Activity of α-d-Galactosidase in Long-Stored Seeds of Vicia hirsuta
by Ewa Gojło
Agriculture 2023, 13(7), 1306; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13071306 - 26 Jun 2023
Viewed by 864
Abstract
Mature seeds of many crop species contain substantial amounts of soluble carbohydrates, including raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) and cyclitol galactosides (Gal-C). These substances are hydrolysed by α-D-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.22) during the early stages of germination, providing metabolic energy for the germination process. A [...] Read more.
Mature seeds of many crop species contain substantial amounts of soluble carbohydrates, including raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) and cyclitol galactosides (Gal-C). These substances are hydrolysed by α-D-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.22) during the early stages of germination, providing metabolic energy for the germination process. A decrease or inhibition of α-D-galactosidase activity can significantly reduce the germination rate. This study aimed to investigate changes in α-D-galactosidase activity during the long-term storage of Vicia hirsuta seeds and evaluate the association between the loss of enzyme activity and the decline in seed vigour and viability. V. hirsuta seeds were stored at 22 °C and 35% relative humidity for up to 25 years, and α-D-galactosidase activity and seed vigour changes were monitored at different time points. Storage of V. hirsuta seeds resulted in a loss of viability and vigour, accompanied by a decrease in α-D-galactosidase activity. The enzyme activity showed a significant correlation with seed germinability and vigour. Monitoring α-D-galactosidase activity in seeds subjected to long-term storage could be a simple and rapid method for determining the decline in vigour in seeds that utilize soluble galactosides as their storage materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seed Storage, Conservation and Longevity)
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