Temperature and relative humidity are two key factors in maintaining good seed quality
February 22, 2023 – When it comes to seeds, storage conditions make an impact. Most people are aware that seeds need to be kept cool and dry to maintain their quality in storage. But the real questions are: How cool, and how dry, do the storage conditions need to be? The February 22nd Sustainable, Secure Food Blog looks at some general guidelines that apply to all types of seeds.
The two most significant factors that affect seed quality in storage are temperature and relative humidity. Seeds need to be stored in conditions that carefully balance temperature and humidity to maintain seed quality and reduce seed deterioration.
Scientists also know that the sum of relative humidity (as a percentage) and temperature (in °C) must not exceed the number 100 for safe seed storage. So, if the temperature is high, relative humidity needs to be kept low, and vice versa.
Grace Fuchs, graduate student at Oregon State University, focuses her work on the best storage conditions for hemp seed (Cannabis sativa L.) She and her advisor are exploring different ratios of temperature and relative humidity to determine how they affect hemp seed quality in storage.
