Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #223948

Title: VARIATION OF SEED AGING RATES AMONG LINES OF WHEAT, RYE AND TRITICALE IN RESPONSE TO STORAGE HUMIDITY

Author
item NIEDZIELSKI, M - POLISH ACADEMY OF SCIENCE
item Walters, Christina
item LUCZAK, C - POLISH ACADEMY OF SCIENCE
item Hill, Lisa
item PUCHALSKI, J - POLISH ACADEMY OF SCIENCE

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/6/2008
Publication Date: 7/6/2008
Citation: Niedziekski, M.,Waters, C.T., Luczak, C.,L.M. Hill, Puchalski, J. 2008. Variation of seed aging rates among lines of wheat, rye and triticale in response to storage humidity. 9th International Society for Seed Science Conference on Seed Biology. July 6-11, 2008. Olsztyn, Poland. pp. 94-95. Meeting Abstract.

Interpretive Summary: Seed deterioration was measured in 50 lines of wheat, rye and triticale that were stored at 35C and a range of relative humidities for over 6 years. Decrease in percent germination and radicle growth with storage time were fit to Avrami kinetics, and longevity of individual lines is expressed as time 50% reduction (P50). Average longevity was greatest (P50=1202 and 774 days for % germination and radicle growth assays) at the lowest RH studied (16%). Longevity varied with genus, rye < hexaploid triticale < winter wheat, spring wheat, and intraspecific variation was quantified. Aging rates measured for different seed lines stored at 48 and 50% RH were highly correlated (r2 > 0.80). However, correlation of aging rates measured among lines stored at 16 and 70% RH was weak (r2 < 0.40). The poor correlation between aging rates at high and low RH suggests moisture-dependent variation in the factors that control viability loss during storage, and bring further into question the utility of high humidity accelerated aging tests to predict longevity under dry storage conditions. Variation of longevity among closely related genera of Triticum and Secale and intermediate behavior of the intergeneric hybrids provides preliminary evidence that seed longevity is a heritable trait.

Technical Abstract: Seed deterioration was measured in 50 lines of wheat, rye and triticale that were stored at 35C and a range of relative humidities for over 6 years. Decrease in percent germination and radicle growth with storage time were fit to Avrami kinetics, and longevity of individual lines is expressed as time 50% reduction (P50). Average longevity was greatest (P50=1202 and 774 days for % germination and radicle growth assays) at the lowest RH studied (16%). Longevity varied with genus, rye < hexaploid triticale < winter wheat, spring wheat, and intraspecific variation was quantified. Aging rates measured for different seed lines stored at 48 and 50% RH were highly correlated (r2 > 0.80). However, correlation of aging rates measured among lines stored at 16 and 70% RH was weak (r2 < 0.40). The poor correlation between aging rates at high and low RH suggests moisture-dependent variation in the factors that control viability loss during storage, and bring further into question the utility of high humidity accelerated aging tests to predict longevity under dry storage conditions. Variation of longevity among closely related genera of Triticum and Secale and intermediate behavior of the intergeneric hybrids provides preliminary evidence that seed longevity is a heritable trait.