Li Shengxiang (Hangzhou Xiaoshan Seed Management Station)

Seeds, like all living organisms, continue to carry out life processes within their cells. Once a seed is fully matured, it separates from the parent plant and becomes an independent entity. At this point, it enters a dormant state, appearing inactive on the surface. However, the embryo inside remains physiologically active, though at a very low level. During storage, seeds are continuously influenced by environmental conditions. The better the storage conditions, the less impact external factors have, while poor conditions can significantly reduce viability. The term "seed life" typically refers to the maximum period during which a seed can maintain its viability under specific storage conditions after maturation. In agricultural practice, various effective measures must be taken to maximize the lifespan of crop seeds in order to meet production needs. As a planting material, crop seeds must possess strong vitality, not only germinating properly but also doing so uniformly. Therefore, the useful life of seeds in agriculture is closely related to their actual lifespan. Although longer seed life generally means a longer useful period, there is no universal agreement on the exact relationship between the two. In our region's climate, the lifespan of cereal crops usually lasts between 1 to 3 years. Seeds used in the following year can still be viable under normal conditions. In short, the useful life of seeds is not very long. For example, the lifespan of milk vetch and cotton seeds is much longer than that of rice and wheat. With refrigeration available at home, small quantities of vegetables can be stored for more than three years, maintaining their viability. However, in agricultural production, few seeds are used beyond three years. This is mainly because, after exceeding a certain storage limit, physiological changes occur in the embryonic cells. While viability may not be completely lost, the original physiological activity begins to decline. When sown, these seeds may germinate, but the resulting seedlings tend to be weak, stunted, or deformed, affecting both quality and yield. Therefore, the useful life of crop seeds should not be judged solely by whether they can germinate. It requires careful observation and comparison based on long-term agricultural practices. A reliable range of lifespan for different crops and varieties should be determined according to local climate conditions. Currently, the standard for determining the age of agricultural seeds is still based on the germination rate. After a certain period of storage, the vigor of the seeds is largely reflected by this rate. It is generally believed that although germination rates gradually decrease with time, as long as they remain above 50%, more than half of the seeds in the population still retain viability. These seeds can still be used when new seeds are not available. In southern China, where temperatures are high, the lifespan of crop seeds is relatively short, and the useful life is close to the actual lifespan. In contrast, in the dry and cold northern regions, the lifespan of seeds is significantly extended, creating a larger gap between useful life and actual lifespan.

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