Factors affecting seed longevity

a) Genetic factor

• Genes influence seed storage life.
• The different types of germplasm or variety are specific for storability.
• Some kinds of crop species or variety are naturally short lived and have very little shelf-life (eg., onion, soybean, groundnut) while some can be stored for medium period (cotton, wheat) and some are long lived and can be stored for longer period (rice, beans).

b) Initial Seed quality

• Healthy and undamaged seeds with high germinability can be stored for long period while damaged due to weather or mechanical injury cannot be stored for long time.

c) Moisture content of seed

• It is the most important factor affecting seed viability during storage over most of the moisture range.
• The rate of deterioration of longevity increases as the seed moisture content increases.