GERMINATION OF MAIZE, COMMON BEANS, PEANUT AND SESAME SEEDS STORED IN DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS AND CONTAINERS

Abstract

In this study some containers placed in natural environments which could allow a satisfactory germplasm conservation without refrigeration investment were evaluated. Seeds of two varieties of maize (Zea mays L.), common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) were used, packing them in paper bags, metal cans, plastic bottles and laminated aluminum foil packets. Environments and corresponding elevations were: Huetamo, Mich. (427 m), Chapingo, Méx. (2250 m), Tecámac, Méx. (2298 m) and San Juan Tetla, Pue. (3300 m); as reference environment a refrigerated room (-1 to 5 °C and 36 % R.H.) was used. As altitude increased environments were more suitable for storage. Paper bags were the least suitable containers. Peanut was the species with major reduction in germination. Storage at Huetamo in paper bags was the most harmful combination; nevertheless, sesame seeds showed great stability through different storage conditions.