| Abstract: | Seed viability of 18 576 accessions of 23 crops was monitored. After 10-12 years' storage in National Crop Genebank of China (NCGC), more than 96.12% of the accessions maintained high germination percentage (＞85%). The germination of 95 accessions, accounting for 0.51% of the total, declined significantly from above 80% to below 70%. For each crop of carrot (Daucus carota var. sativa DC.), lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), cotton (Gossypium sp. L.), flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) and castor-oil plant (Ricinus communis L.), the mean monitored germination percentage declined significantly as a whole, of which carrot and lettuce seeds lost viability more rapidly. Seed initial germination percentage and pre-storage environments affect subsequent seed viability in storage. |
