Vacuum and Inert‐Gas Storage of Safflower and Sesame Seeds 1

/"^AREFUL control of the environment is required for ^-* safe long-term storage of seeds. Loss of viability of stored seeds is generally believed to be associated with the rate of respiration during storage. Respiration rate can be controlled by either reducing seed moisture content, decreasing the storage temperature, or reducing available oxygen (O2). Seed moisture content can be reduced by drying and maintained at the desired level by controlling the relative humidity of the storage area or by using moistureproof containers. Satisfactory temperatures for longterm storage of seeds can be obtained by refrigeration. However, refrigeration of large storage rooms is expensive. Therefore, satisfactory methods of storing seeds for long periods without refrigeration would be of great monetary value. The amount of available O2 can be reduced by airtight storage which restricts the movement of air among the seeds. The O2 supply can be further reduced by evacuating the container prior to sealing or by injecting an O2-free gas into the container in place of air before sealing. A long-term study is being conducted on the effects of a partial vacuum and various inert gases on the viability of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), Pacific No. 1 variety, and sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), Margo variety, seeds packaged at three seed moisture levels and stored at a wide range of temperatures in sealed metal cans. This report is presented to make our early findings available to research workers and seedsmen.