I have to perform longevity tests on wild orthodox seeds and compared the results with those from correspondent naturally aged seed stored under standard seed-bank storage conditions. I found different methods: AA and CD tests, which use water or different saturated /unsaturated salt solutions to equilibrate seeds at controlled RH%. Is there an optimal reliable one for testing orthodox seeds from wild species?
Theoretically, the best method would be the so called "seed burial experiment" with known number of freshly collected seeds and buried at the natural habitat of the target species. Practically, it is extreme time consuming therefore, rarely applied.
Actually yes, but very difficult, if not impossible, to carry out! Many species are rupestrian or linked to dynamic substrata, such as sandy dunes.
I think the following articles can help you get better methods for your request.
Thank you!
Dear Dr Girma Hailemichael Hailemichael Gebre thank very much for your answer. I already knew the suggested papers, but longevity is referred to long-term storage, over several years. I need accelerated or controlled ageing tests to be compared with results from long term storage. My problem is which one of the different published method can be the best, so as not to waste too much seeds and time.
You subject them to aging temperatures. See:
Article A rapid and sensitive method to assess seed longevity throug...
Please check it.
http://www.biology-journal.org/fulltext/v28i2/ijapb28-2-17.pdf
Please see this paper.
Article Comparison of three chemical tests to assess seed viability:...
Thank you for all suggestions. I read all papers and found them interesting also for other analyses.
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