How to store seeds properly
Seed storage is a complex of measures aimed at preserving the seed quality of seeds: germination, purity, humidity and the creation of conditions that prevent moistening, clogging and spoilage of seeds.
Warehouses, granaries intended for storage of seed material, should be prepared in advance, before laying seeds for storage.
The roof in the warehouse must be repaired, without leaks. The walls and the floor must be made in such a way that it is possible to avoid precipitation or the approach of groundwater in the warehouse. It is necessary to clean and decontaminate the warehouse from barn pests.
The area near the seed storage should be cleaned of weeds and accumulated debris as a preventive measure against mites and insects.
For storage, seeds are placed with the moisture of humidity separately for crops, grades, categories, lots.
If the seed material is stored in bulk, batches must be placed in bins isolated from each other. The floor in the granary should be wooden; the height of the embankment in the bins is no more than 2 m.
When storing seeds in bags, they are stacked, on wooden decks or pallets, not less than 15 cm from the floor, and at least 70 cm from the storage walls. The passages between the stacks must be at least 1.5 m.
The label must be attached to the lot, where the necessary information on the given lot of seeds is indicated: culture, grade, category, number and weight of the lot.
Requirements for storage of seeds are prescribed in clause 6 of GOST R 52325-2005, for packaging and labeling of seeds - p. 4.7, item 4.8 of GOST R 52325-2005.