LiveSeeding project
This practical guide, produced within the LiveSeeding project, explains how to dry and store vegetable seeds in organic small-scale and on-farm seed production. It summarizes the biological basis of seed ageing and highlights the primary importance of seed moisture, followed by oxygen and temperature, for longevity and vigour. The guide presents affordable drying methods (natural ventilation, heated airflow, desiccants and drying boxes), a simple protocol to measure equilibrium relative humidity (eRH) of seed batches, and practical storage solutions (hermetic jars, mylar pouches, vacuum-packing, oxygen absorbers, silica gel/zeolite beads and barrels). It gives concrete recommendations on conditioning and packaging seed according to expected use, avoiding repeated opening of containers, preventing imbibition injury before sowing, and considerations for freezing and ultra-dry states. The booklet includes decision flowcharts, practical info sheets on equipment (hygrometers, vacuum sealers, desiccants) and illustrative action plans for different producer contexts.
Key topics: seed drying, seed storage, equilibrium relative humidity (eRH), vacuum packing, desiccants, seed ageing, on-farm seed production, organic seed
