ABSTRACT
Seeds of 50 commercial varieties of cross-pollinated species were delivered by plant breeders in 1965, and of each variety one sample was stored in an ordinary storage room with an average temperature of 12°C. The moisture content was very important for the longevity of the seed, but the year of harvest was important too. Seeds harvested in 19 62 kept their germinating ability for more years than seeds harvested in 1961. Samples of wheat, barley and oats were harvested in 1961 and 1962. Twenty-seven samples of each species or a total of 81 samples were harvested 1961. The following year 162 samples were harvested and stored. Twenty-seven samples from 1961 and 54 samples from 1963 were air-dried to a moisture content of 11 – 12%. One hundred and sixty-two samples were dried by heated air to approximately 7% moisture content.
