Storage and ageing of french beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L. ): effect on seed viability and vigor

The loss of viability and vigor compromises the agricultural usefulness of seeds and can also affect their nutritional properties. In this work, we examined the viability and vigor of freshly harvested French beans and of beans stored at approximately 8oC for 12 years. Quiescent seeds and seedlings grown until cotyledon abscission were subjected to germination and vigor tests, as well as microscopic analysis. As a control, fresh seeds underwent accelerated ageing for 8 and 16 days, and showed a gradual loss of viability...