A Low-Moisture-Content Limit to Logarithmic Relations Between Seed Moisture Content and Longevity

Abstract
Seeds of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) and linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) showed negative logarithmic relations between longevity and moisture contents between 4.4 and 15.4, 3.2 and 13.0, and 3.2 and 15.5%, respectively, in hermetic storage at 65 °C. However, between 1.8 and 3.1, 1.1 and 1.9, and 1.1 and 2.1%, respectively, longevity did not vary. The critical moisture content, below which further reduction in moisture content no longer increased longevity in hermetic storage at 65 °C, for each species was 4.1, 2.04 and 2.7%, respectively.