Seed longevity phenotyping: recommendations on research methodology

Abstract

AbstractThe length of time that seed lots maintain their viability and vigour in storage has become a trait of interest for rice and other crop and model species. However, different research groups have taken different approaches to measure this trait, including storing seeds under ‘natural ageing’, accelerated ageing and controlled deterioration test conditions. There has also been a tendency to only use a single germination test result to assess the relative longevity of different genotypes. Here we explain why we have taken a different approach in our GWAS study of seed longevity in Indica rice, and offer suggestions as to how, moving forward, this trait should be assessed to make it possible to improve the longevity / storability of seeds, depending on the target storage environment