10. SEEDS

10.8 Seed storage

Certain species produce seed more or less all the year round, e.g. Leucaena spp., Sesbania sesban, and Markhamia lutea, and for such species it is better simply to collect the seeds when they are needed. For other species the desired seed-sowing time may not correspond to the seeding time and then it is necessary to store seeds. Storage of seeds should be avoided as much as possible. Some species cannot be stored at all - they have to be sown immediately - whereas others store for shorter or longer periods without too much loss of viability.

Seeds are best stored in dry and cool, or even very cold, conditions out of reach of insects, rodents and birds. Before storage the seeds must be properly dried otherwise they will become mouldy. Airtight containers, e.g. tins or bottles, are good for storage of most seeds, and are essential for storage of seeds that are easily attacked by insects, e.g. Acacia and Albizia spp.

Figure 10.4 Containers for storing seed