Viability of Nicotiana spp. seeds stored under ambient temperature

Seeds of Nicotiana spp. stored for up to 12 years under ambient temperature at two different sites (IUNG, Puławy, Poland – Experiment 1 and IPK, Gatersleben, Germany – Experiment 2) were germinated using a Jacobsen apparatus. The numbers of seedlings exhibiting a normal appearance were scored. Logistic regression analysis was used to model the proportion of seed lots (accessions) with germination > 75%. After 11 years this proportion reached 0 in Experiment 1 while it was still 0.4 in Experiment 2. The poorer viability of the seed from Experiment 1 probably reflects the less ideal storage conditions prevailing, especially with respect to relative humidity (which was approximately 50% in Experiment 2 compared with 77% in Experiment 1). No significant effect of seed size on seed viability was observed.