Effect of long term storage of 24 years of wild rice seeds under different seed moisture regimes on germination and growth vigour.

[Objective]The present study was carried to explore the effects of long-term seed storage in gene bank under optimal moisture conditions, after a comprehensive evaluation of long-term preservation of seeds vigor, also to gene bank safety storage provide the scientific basis of wild rice seed and other crop seeds, achieve the purpose of long-term security preservation of inventory seed. [Method]The wild rice seeds with 14.8% initial moisture content were dried at 35℃ up to final moisture contents of 10.56, 9.50, 8.7, 7.50, 6.60 and 6.35%. These seeds having different moisture content were packaged, sealed and stored in gene bank for long-term storage. After 24 years, the seed germination percentage, germination energy, seed germination index and their growth performance under field conditions were determined. [Result]Results showed that germination percentage and germination index decreased significantly in seeds stored with moisture contents of 14.8, 9.5 and 8.7% compared to the seeds before storage, so these moisture contents were not found suitable for long-term storage of seeds. The seeds stored with 6.35% moisture content showed 97, 98.33 and 48.55% germination energy, germination percentage and germination index, respectively. Further, in field performance test, the percentage of seedlings was recorded as 90.67, which was almost equal to those recorded before the storage of seeds. [Conclusion]The seeds drying at 35 ℃ up to 6.35% moisture content were found best and this technique may be used for long term preservation of wild rice seeds in gene bank.