ELSEVIER Field Crops Research 55 (1998) 183-187 Field Crops Research Viability of Avena sativa L. seeds after 10 years of storage in base collection J.M. Pita a,*, F. Pfrez-Garcia a, A. Escudero a, C. de la Cuadra b,1 a Dpto. Biologfa Vegetal, E.U.L T£cnica Agrlcola, Universidad Polit£cnica de Madrid, 28040-Madrid, Spain b Centro de Recursos Fitogen£ticos Apdo. de Correos, No. 45 Alcal{t de Henares, 28800-Madrid, Spain Received 20 May 1997; revised 11 July 1997; accepted 11 July 1997 Abstract Seed viability of 61 Arena accessions from the Spanish Crop Genetic Resource Conservation Centre, including valuable endangered landraces, has been evaluated after 10 years of storage. Preservation of seed samples has been conducted under low moisture content (6-7%) and at low temperatures (- 10°C to - 15°C). No differences were detected between the results obtained in the germination assays conducted in 1986 and those obtained in 1996. The maintenance of seed viability during seed storage is due to stable conditions of temperature and, mainly, moisture content; the latter, owing to the air-tight containers used. The determination of the maximum storage periods for each material under local seed storage conditions and integration of compiled information, in the seedbanks, over long periods to time, is encouraged in order to improve the management of Plant Genetic Resource Conservation Centres. © 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. Keywords: Arena sativa; Germination; Long-term storage; Seed viability 1. Introduction Until the second half of this century, traditional agriculture, based on a wide range of crops and crop cultivars adapted to their particular agrosystems, con- tributed to the conservation of a genetic diversity selected previously over 10,000 years. After World War II, agricultural structures and management began to change. Old agricultural prac- tices were replaced by extensive agriculture based on the use of highly productive, homogeneous crops, * Corresponding author. Tel.: + 34-1-3365434/35; fax: +34- 1-3365406; e-mail: pita@inia.es. 1 Tel: 34-1-8819261; fax: 34-1-8819287; e-mail: cuadra@ inia.es. obtained through breeding. This led to the rapid disappearance of several traditional crops and a con- sequent loss of invaluable genetic resources (Esquinas-Alcazar, 1993). In the 1970s, awareness of this critical situation brought about a series of national and international initiatives for the conservation of genetic diversity. Thus, specialised centres were set up all over the world in order to collect, evaluate and conserve plant genetic resources. Among the possible conservation methods, seed storage was the most effective and economical method for most crops. Preservation at low moisture and low temperature would theoreti- cally permit the maintenance of their viability for several years (Harrington, 1972). However, it was not until 1975 that collections for long-term storage 0378-4290/98/$19.00© 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. PH S0378-4290(97)00078-6