Verbeterde bewaring van zaden (BO-26.02-002-002, BO-12.03-017-011)

Seed production is costly and maintenance of quality during processing and storage is important. Seeds from some crops as lettuce and onion have a short longevity, especially after priming. Storability is also of importance for maintenance of genetic diversity in gene banks as CGN. Last years it became more obvious that besides temperature and moisture during storage, also oxygen plays an important role in seed ageing. There is a need for better understanding of the role of oxygen and its relative role compared to temperature and moisture content. The damage induced by oxygen and the defence system of seeds should be studied. The project aims to study the physiological processes in seeds that determine their longevity and to develop methods to improve and forecast seed longevity.