GERMPLASM COLLECTION SECTION

Seeds remain to be the most important form of germplasm. As such maintaining the viability of seeds
under storage ensures the availability of genetic material which could be used for crop improvement.

The safe storage of seeds is also important for these reasons: a. seeds must be preserved for use as
human and animal food b. seed viability must also be protected (germplasm protection) for various uses
by the plant scientists who maintain a permanent reservoir of seed stock by establishing a seed bank.

141. Three objectives for storing seeds 1. Very short period between collection and sowing 2. Several
years (10 or less) to ensure a reliable supply of seeds in the absence of annual crops 3. Long periods (10
to 50+ years) for germplasm conservation.

COFFEE MICRO PROPAGATION SECTION