198 DETERMINATION OF MOISTURE CONTENT IN GRAPE SEEDS Sivritepe, N., Sivritepe H.Ö. and Türkben, C. (2008), Seed Sci. & Technol., 36, 198-200 Research Note Determination of moisture content in grape seeds N. SIVRITEPE, H.Ö. SIVRITEPE* AND C. TÜRKBEN Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Uludag University, Bursa 16059, Turkey (E-mail: ozkan@uludag.edu.tr) (Accepted June 2007) Summary Different procedures of ISTA methods were evaluated to develop a protocol for moisture content determination of grape (Vitis vinifera L.) seeds. Therefore, ground or un-ground seeds of seven grape cultivars were compared at different temperatures and durations of the test by the use of High and Low Constant Temperature Oven Methods prescribed by the ISTA. The results suggest that the use of High Constant Temperature Oven Method (at 130°C for 1 hour) in ground seeds of grape could be the preferred procedure for moisture content determination. Experimental and discussion Determination of seed moisture content is an extremely important test as it provides information regarding the potential for harvesting, cleaning and planting injuries as well as for long-term storage of seeds (Copeland and McDonald, 2001). As small change in seed moisture content may have a large effect on the storage life of seeds, a precise determination of moisture content is essential for making reasonably accurate predictions of storage potential of seeds (Hanson, 1985). The ISTA method for moisture determination is designed to reduce oxidation, decomposition or the loss of other volatile substances while ensuring the removal of as much moisture as possible (ISTA, 2005). ISTA has only included standard methods for common crop seeds. There are no standard methods for other species like grape (Vitis vinifera L.). As a horticultural species, grape is seldom propagated by seeds. However, seeds are used in evolving new cultivars through hybridization and in long-term conservation of genetic diversity through seed storage (Doijode, 2001). Therefore, this study was conducted to develop a protocol for moisture content determination of grape seeds. * Author for correspondence