More Information
TYPES OF SEED STORAGE
Seeds are commonly stored in airtight, re-sealable glass or metal containers (not plastic). Paper bags are better then plastic ones although snap-lock plastic bags can be used as long as the seed has been thoroughly air-dried beforehand.
Keep the containers in a cool, dark spot where they are safe from vermin. The best storage is in low humidity using airtight containers. However some seeds such as peas and beans prefer some air so are best stored in bags or envelopes; onions, corn, parsley and parsnip can also be stored this way.
- Seed stored in glass or metal is better than that stored in plastic. Plastic containers give off ethylene gas which is an inhibitor to germination.
- Seed from many of the fleshy fruited species has a short life span, and should be sown as soon as possible or mixed in a one-to-one ratio of moist sand, sphagnum moss, or a peat and perlite mixture, and stored in a cool place. If the root emerges from the seeds during storage, the seedling should be removed and planted immediately.
- At all times seeds, depending on the species, should be placed in envelopes, bags or airtight jars and labelled with the name and date of collection.
- Store seeds in the refrigerator, not the freezer, until you are ready to plant. Longevity is protected by low temperatures, humidity, and darkness. Alternatively store in a cool dark, dry place free from insects if possible. Insect strips may be placed in the paper seed storage bags for further protection.
- Cold storage in a freezer can extend the lifespan of many seeds as low temperatures will slow down the decaying process, however it will also damage some species. Seeds need to be returned to room temperature before they are sown.
Open storage with no controls:
Storage in bins, sacks or paper bags. Fumigation or insecticide/fungicide applications are sometimes necessary. Seeds of many annuals, perennials, vegetables and cereals can be successfully kept this way. Apart from a few exceptions (eg. corn, onion, parsley, parsnip, delphinium, kochia, candytuft), seeds from these groups will normally retain viability for at least a few years.
Cold storage with or without humidity control:
Temperatures below 10oC will improve longevity of virtually any type of seed. Cold storage of tree and shrub seed is recommended if the seed is to be held for more than one year.
Cold moist storage:
Here seed should be stored between 0 and 10oC and in a container which contains some moisture retaining material (eg. Peat or sphagnum moss). Relative humidity should be 80 to 90%.
Examples of species requiring this type of storage are: Acer saccharinum, Carya, Castanea, Corylus, Citrus, Eriobytra (loquat), Fagus, Juglans, Litchi, Persea (Avocado) and Quercus.
Check seed health prior to planting
If seed production crops could be grown in healthy soil, and the plants remained free of disease or infection, the seed harvested from that crop would also be disease-free.
In reality, this is almost impossible to achieve but plants grown in a dry/ arid climate (that is not conducive to the spread of disease) are more likely to have reduced seed-borne disease problems – especially such diseases as blights and viruses.
However, even arid areas will experience wet conditions or wet seasons from time to time which will promote potential insect attacks and disease. Plant diseases will greatly reduce yield. Any pathogens may affect storage quality, germination, market availability, harvest yield, seed appearance, or contain may contain harmful toxins.
In most instances, therefore seed treatments such as fungicides (for disease control) or insecticides (for insect control) are applied to seed before planting.
This helps to prevent the spread of disease, ensures high germination rates and healthy plant growth. Some seed treatment products are also sold as combinations of fungicide and insecticide.
Fungicides are used to:
- Control soil-borne pathogens that cause damping-off, seed decay, blight and root rot
- Control seed-surface borne fungal pathogens such as smut, rust and black-point
- Control internally seed-borne fungal pathogens such as smut fungi
Some systemic fungicidal seed treatments may provide protection against early-season infection by leaf diseases. However most fungal treatment used on seed will not control bacterial pathogens or even all fungal diseases.
Choosing the correct seed or soil treatment is therefore extremely important for the health and longevity of the seed and seedlings. The degree of achievable disease control varies according to:
- the disease organisms present
- the rate of application
- the environmental conditions
Germination Testing
Seed testing is a commercially common practice today for most commercial seed producers. It is used to assess seed quality, purity and viability. The testing procedures for commercial producers in many countries are set by the best practice guidelines under the Rules for Seed Testing of the International Seed Testing Association and the Association of Official Seed Analysts.
Irrelevant of where the seed is produced or by whom (other than for home garden collectors), the guidelines and testing methods set by these associations should be followed.
Seed treatment however, will usually only improve the germination of seed if the poor quality is because of seed-borne disease.
There are several tests designed to evaluate the various qualities of the seed including:
- direct germination
- warm (standard) germination
- cold germination
- excised embryo
- accelerated aging
- tetrazolium testing
- X-ray
The test that is most appropriate for a particular seed depends on its species, the conditions under which it is tested and what the seed is going to be used for.
FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.
General
Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.
Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.
Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.
Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.
Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.
Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.
Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.
Enrolment
Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.
Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.
Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.
Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.
Assessment
Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.
Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.
Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –
Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.
Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.
Qualifications
Q. What qualification will I receive?
A. For individual modules, you would be awarded a Certificate endorsed by TQUK (Training Qualifications, UK), providing you complete all assignments and the exam. If you just want to complete only the assignments and not sit for the exam or finish a Project, then a Letter of Achievement would be awarded. For more details on qualifications available please click here.
Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?
A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.
Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.
Tutors
Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.
Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.
Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.
