Seed germination of seeds preserved for about 20 years and that of seeds preserved for several years

From the herbage seeds, only alfalfa (Medicago sativa) showed about 3 5% germination ratio for 20 years old seeds. The results are consistent with that of Park and Kim (2009). No germination was observed from the other herbage species, but the decay of seeds were observed sometimes. However, the vegetable seeds preserved for several years showed high germination ratios. In conclusion, older seeds generally germinate a little, while alfalfa seeds continue to live for long time. In addition, new seeds generally germinate more, while, for example, young summer radish germinated a little.

Investigation was carried on germination and growth of old alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) seeds on soil (2009), seedling growth of some forages from their aged seeds (2012), survey on seed decay during their germination of some forages from their aged seeds' (2013).Recently, study was conducted on another germination test both with unaged vegetable seeds and with the old herbage (or forage) seeds.The purpose of this experiment was to know the viability of more advanced and older herbage (or forage) seeds compared to previous experiments, and *Corresponding author.E-mail: Kimsd@joongbu.ac.kr. to know viability of vegetable seeds preserved for several years after their harvest.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Table 1 shows the Seed preserved for about 20 years and those preserved for several years.The herbage seeds were produced from the year 1991 to 1993, and the vegetable seeds from the year 2005 to 2006.Therefore, there was an interval of around 20 years.The date of this experiment was carried out for four weeks from March 14, 2013; three weeks from March 21, 2013; and one week from April 18, 2013.In addition, the number of seeds was from 50 to 260.After counting the seeds, they were placed in a soaked filter pater on Petri-dish, whose radius was approximately 10 cm.The petri-dish remained on the desk of the laboratory.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
From herbage seeds, only alfalfa (Medicago sativa) showed about 3 -5% germination ratio for 20 years old seeds.The results are similar to that Park and Kim (2009).From the other herbage species, no germination was observed, but sometimes the decay of seeds were observed.However, some of the vegetable seeds preserved for several years showed high germination ratios.Table 2 shows germination ratio of plants.From the Table it is clear that older seeds germinates less than the new seeds preserved for several years.However, for example, young summer radish germinated only as much as 1 seed per 50 ones (Figures 1 to 5).

Conclusion
As a conclusion, older seeds generally germinates slightly, while alfalfa seeds continue to live for long time.
New seeds generally germinates more; whereas, young summer radish germinated a little.

Figure 2 .
Figure 2. Germination of sorghum hybrid.Seeds did not decay but there was no germination.

Figure 3 .
Figure 3. Germination of garland chrysanthemum.The seeds showed good germination.

Figure 4 .
Figure 4. Germination of nappa cabbage.The seeds showed a vigourous germination.

Figure 5 .
Figure 5. Germination of red clover.The red clover seeds showed whole decay during the germination.The reason of the decay seemed fungi.

Table 1 .
Herbage seeds preserved for about 20 years and vegetable seeds preserved for several years.

Table 2 .
Germination ratio of plants.