The effects of storage conditions on seed shelf life

The need for adequate seed storage in North America has been present since early man moved from nomadic wandering to established settlements. The ability to sustain life, as civilization moved from hunting to cultivation, was dependent on the successful retention of seed that maintained viability.

Nowadays, whether it’s stored in a clay pot, a hole in the ground, or a highly refined and controlled storage unit, successful seed storage depends primarily on the percentage of relative humidity (RH) and temperature in the storage facility. Using what is commonly known as the James Rule (James Harrington), it is generally accepted that the RH value, when added to the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit, must be equal to or less than 100° F for optimum seed storage conditions to exist. Storage buildings at Syngenta Seeds, Inc.’s plant in Nampa, Idaho, for example, store commercial inbred corn parent seed and are maintained at 50° F and 50% RH to maximize shelf life potential. Seed moisture uptake can be impacted in a relatively short period of time.

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