SEED DRYING FOR GERMPLASM CONSERVATION

Abstract

Orthodox seeds can be dried to low moisture contents with considerable
advantage to longevity. Seed drying involves the evaporation of
moisture from seed surface into the outer atmosphere ana is influenced
primarily, by the gradient in relative humidity between the seed and
drying environment. The various methods of drying ~eeds .to reduce
moisture content for subsequent storage were discussed. Sun-drying,
although is the cheapest method usually practiced, affects seed quality
and is impractical in humid tropics due to the prevailing high relative
humidity. Whi~e using commercial seed dryers for artificial dnJing,
proper control of the air temperature is essential to min.imize seed
deterioration. A low temperature-relative humidity drying is recommended
to reduce the moisture content to 5±2 per cent for long-term
conservation of the germplasm seeds. The relative ad'pantages and the
associated problems in drying seeds to such low moisture content are
discussed.