SEED BANKS AS A MEANS OF IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF SEED LISTS

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Abstract
Summary: Criticisms of the quality of Seed Lists issued by Botanic Gardens, have been directed towards failures either to identify accurately the seed offered, or to ensure its viability or to provide information on its origin.These shortcomings can be remedied only by spending more time on each seed sample than at present. One way of gaining this time is to prolong seed viability to a maximum by providing good storage conditions. This avoids the necessity for frequently repeated collections of seed with the advantage that documentation on any particular collection remains relevant for a long period.No single storage condition suits all species and experiments at Kew are directed towards establishing optimum needs of different species. with the aim of maintaining viability in store of seventy‐five percent or more of the species involved for at least ten to fifteen years. This would allow the establishment of a bank of seed which could be built up from year to year with time for adequate documentation of every species.