What containers are suitable for seed storage? ECHO Asia team has been trialing different cheap and locally available containers to see if they are suitable for seed storage.
To maintain seed germination, seed needs to be kept dry, cold, and without oxygen. If seed is dried properly before storage, then having a fully airtight storage container will prevent the seed getting moist, and also help lower the oxygen around the seed. It is important that seed storage containers can be completely airtight to maintain seed quality.
Picture: ECHO team with some of our tested containers
ECHO Asia team uses simple technique to remove air from hermetically sealed containers. Vacuum-creating tools we use include modified bike pumps, modified balloon pumps, or Chinese traditional medicine cupping devices. Vacuum sealing has been shown to be effective at extending the life of seeds. This is because it reduces the oxygen in the container. See more on these techniques in our Technical Note here: Vacuum-Sealing Options for Storing Seeds | ECHOcommunity.org.
But what low cost containers are airtight enough for farmers and seed banks to store seed under vacuum? We have been checking the vacuum pressures created in different containers, and how the containers cope under pressure.
So far, we’ve found the following:
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Containers need to have strong walls. Glass is great, while most plastic will be distorted under pressure. Flexible containers will compress rather than hold a vacuum.
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Most containers leak slowly around the rim between the lid and the body of the container. Apply electrical tape wrapped around the join helps to prevent this. Any ribbing or indentations around this join make it difficult for the tape to be effective.
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The simple vacuum sealing methods described in ECHO’s technical note didn’t work well for us on large containers. This is likely because the first pumps don’t create enough pressure gradient for the tape valve to get sucked down and start working.
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Any indentation or texture around the area to apply the vacuum causes issues. It is challenging to get a good enough seal to draw vacuum.
Our favorite containers so far are jam jars and screw top glass energy drink bottles. They are easy to draw a vacuum in, and hold it without leaking.
Picture: ECHO staff Shaun Snoxell showing glass bottle and modified balloon pump
Let us know what containers you are using for your seedsaving!