THE INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE AND MOISTURE ON SEED AGING IN ICELAND POPPY (PAPAVER-NUDICAULE L)

The viability of Iceland poppy (Papaver nudicaule L.) seeds kept at 16 combinations of temperature and moisture content was checked by germination tests over a period of 48 months. Under the majority of storage treatments, the periods of viability of individual seeds were normally distributed around the mean value. The relationship between storage environment and seed survival was evaluated by a viability equation, whose constants were determined by a means probit analysis. This allows us to predict the percentage viability of Iceland poppy seeds after any time when stored at various temperatures and moisture contents, as well as to estimate the time taken for viability to decrease below any given level.