What is meant by seed packaging?
This is the placing of a counted or weighed sample of seeds of an accession into a container which is then hermetically sealed ready for storage.
Why are seeds packaged?
Seeds are packaged to prevent absorption of water from the atmosphere after drying, to keep each accession separate and prevent contamination of the seeds from insects and diseases.
When should seeds be packaged?
The best time to package seeds is directly after the moisture content has been determined and found to be within the required limits for safe storage. Seeds will always show an equilibrium between their moisture content and the relative humidity of the environment and therefore, if possible, seeds should be packaged into containers and hermetically sealed in the drying room or without delay on being removed from it.
How should seeds be packaged?
Different containers and special equipment for sealing are available for the storage of seeds. Storage containers for base collections should be hermetically sealed and moisture-proof. Cans, bottles, and laminated aluminium foil containers are all acceptable for both base and active collections. The techniques used will vary with the type of container and the equipment that your genebank is using. The general steps outlined in this section could be followed.
Moveable racks make the best use of available space and are ideal to store containers in walk-in stores. Small containers or aluminium foil packets can be filed in boxes for ease of locating individual accessions. Coding systems by number or colour are also helpful in exactly locating accessions.
Chest freezers are adequate for the maintenance of small collections. Filing systems have been developed to hold the containers in freezers and allow easy location of material. Some examples of filing systems are shown here.
STEP 1. PREPARE FOR PACKAGING
1. Work in the drying room or, if not possible, expose the seeds to the ambient relative humidity for the shortest possible time.
2. Write on the outside of each container or on an adhesive waterproof label. Also prepare a label for inclusion with the seeds. Record the accession number, date of storage, genus and species if required. Use permanent markers for this.
Notes and Examples
Adhesive labels can be used for the outside of containers, but they must be waterproof and remain adhesive for long periods at low temperatures.
Equipment
Labels
Permanent markers
Laminated aluminium foil containers, cans or bottles
Machines for sealing
Coarse balance
Scoop/spoons
STEP 2. PACKAGE THE SEEDS
1. Weigh out or count samples of seeds to fit the containers used in your genebank.
2. Fill the labelled containers with the seeds. Add the label prepared for the inside.
3. Seal immediately, so that the moisture content of the seeds does not increase due to equilibration with ambient relative humidity.
4. Note the weight or number of seeds in each container.
Notes and Examples
It is important that the containers used should be moisture-proof and sealed. The exact sealing technique will depend on the type of containers and sealing methods that are available.
Laminated aluminium foil bags are easy to package, can be cut to size to save space and can be sealed again after use. However, they are difficult to stack and must be made of good quality material and have good seals or leakage may occur.
Cans are rigid and easy to stack and usually will not break open if dropped. However, some types of cans are not resealable and therefore are expensive to use. A standard size can with only a few seeds inside wastes space in the store.
Glass bottles can usually be sealed again and the amount of seed left is visible. However, a standard size will waste space and bottles are easily broken.
Seeds can be packaged in bulk into large containers and/or sub-samples can be packaged separately into smaller containers. Although the initial packaging period is longer, sub-samples can then be removed quickly without having to remove the bulk of the accession from the store.
STEP 3. ENTER THE DATA INTO THE DATA FILES
1. Enter the relevant data about each accession into the data file.
2. The data should include number of containers per accession, number or weight of seeds per container, type of container (if not standard) and the date of packaging.
STEP 4. CHECK THE QUALITY OF THE CONTAINERS
1. After sealing, make a visual examination of each container to make sure that there is no obvious damage and that the seals do not leak.
2. Any containers that are below standard should be replaced immediately.
3. At regular intervals the containers should be checked to see that they remain in good condition. It is suggested that this check should be carried out routinely once a year and that individual containers should also be checked whenever they are removed from the genebank.
4. If containers are found to have been leaking and the relative humidity of the store was not controlled, determine the seed moisture content by using one of the methods described in Section III.
5. If the moisture content has risen, dry the seeds back to the required moisture content level as described in Section IV.
6. Enter the value of the new moisture content into the data files. Make a note that the seeds in that container have been held at increased moisture content for a limited period and dried again.
7. Check the inventory data file for the descriptor 'date of packaging' and make a list of any other accessions which were packaged in similar containers on the same day or one day before or after.
8. Check the containers on this list for leaks and poor condition and replace any that are faulty using the methods described above.
9. Remember that any containers removed from the cold store should be allowed to warm to room temperature before opening. This may take several hours especially with large volumes of seeds.
If any defective containers are found, it may indicate that containers made or sealed at the same time are also faulty or it may just be one faulty container or seal. Checking those packaged at the same time will show if the problem is widespread.
Sustainable Eco Seed Packaging
It’s more important than ever to make choices for your brand that benefit the environment and this sustainable eco-packaging is the best way to do that! This zero-waste plantable packaging is made with post-consumer materials embedded with seeds so it will definitely show your eco-commitment and promote corporate sustainability. Since the packaging can be planted instead of getting tossed, the recipient will grow something they can actually enjoy like flowers, herbs, or veggies. What a fresh way to make a green choice while adding value to your products!
Plantable packaging is ideal for small boxes for cosmetics and other light-weight items, product wraps and toppers, or shredded as box filler. There are all kinds of creative things you can do with seed paper packaging. No matter what you use, this eco green packaging is sure to make a great impression on anyone that receives it.
Elevate your brand.
In the seed and growing markets, success depends on the reliability of your packaging. Vivid color imagery that reflects your brand. Leak-proof, precisely constructed seed packets that ensure your operations run smoothly. And innovative packaging features that excite retailers and gardeners alike.
Your packaging – from garden seed packets to custom flower packaging – represents your product. The package is an integral part of your product. And brand reputation in the eyes of your customers is influenced by the quality of your packaging.
We have deep roots in this field.
At JBM, we understand the branding and environmental challenges faced by seed companies and processors. With decades of experience in printing and folding seed packet envelopes, our extensive manufacturing capabilities allow us to produce custom and standard seed packages that insert efficiently. No interruptions. And our quality color printing produces consistent results with every run to ensure the best representation of your brand.
Our Innovation Team solves for environmental conditions and end use requirements – such as inks that don’t fade in the sun and quality papers that hold up to the rigors of the environment. We collaborate with you to differentiate and protect your packets – from folding constructions for added security, to package features that enhance shelf appeal, to detachable promotional coupons that extend your brand beyond the packet.
Let’s make your packaging look amazing and leave a lasting impression.
CGN seed cleaning, drying and seed packaging procedures
When seed samples enter the storage facilities, the seed quantity will first be determined. A sample must contain a minimum amount of seeds, this differs per crop. The upper limit is usually the quantity of seeds that can be stored in the largest pre-fabricated sample bags (volume ±500 cm3). The purity of the sample is checked visually and if necessary the sample is cleaned. Criteria for purity are: absence of dust particles and broken or empty seeds.
Sample viability is determined in germination tests. Random samples of usually about 200 seeds are tested. In the case of some wild species smaller seed samples are tested. The tests are in compliance with the ISTA rules, which describe standard tests per crop. The germination tests are executed by CGN.
In general the germination percentage should be at least 80% for varieties and landraces and 60% for wild species if samples are to be included in the collection. If material is difficult to regenerate, e.g. because of climatic constraints, acceptable levels of germination percentages may be lower. If the germination percentage does not meet the criteria, the sample needs to be regenerated again.
Seed cleaning
After harvesting, the bagged and labelled samples are preliminary dried in an oasthouse and later in a climate chamber at 15°C and 30% RH. Dried samples are threshed using a small winnowing machine (Clipper). Seeds and debris are separated using differences in seed size, specific gravity and floating speed by passing the sample through a combination of different sieves (round or slit sieves) and air flow devices. Since the material to be processed is often very heterogeneous, manual adjustment of sieves and airflow current is necessary. After each sample is processed, the winnowing machine is cleaned using a high pressured airstream. Peas and beans are threshed by hand, since mechanical threshing would damage the seeds.
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After threshing, the seeds are separated by shape and size using indented cylinders. To maintain sample variation, cleaning procedures should not be too discriminative. During cleaning, operators check visually for damaged seeds.
Some of the horticultural crops are pre-cleaned at a different location. After harvest the seeds are bagged, thereafter the labeled samples are dried in an oasthouse at 25°C and uncontrolled humidity for 4-5 days. All samples are cleaned manually. First of all the bagged samples are crushed by hand to separate the seeds from the remaining parts of the inflorescence. The samples are then cleaned, using sieves in airflow cabinets and/ or an electric blower. For the fruit vegetables the seed cleaning procedure differs considerably. Tomato fruits are cut in halves and the seeds with fruit juice are transferred to cups and diluted with an equal amount of 2% HCL solution to remove the slime. For cucumber and melon a 4% HCL solution is used, mixed with an equal amount of water. After 1 hour the seeds are washed in a sieve with water, and dried on filter paper at room temperature. Pepper fruits are cut in halves, the seeds are removed from the placenta and washed in water. Good seeds sink, the rest of the seeds are removed. The seeds are dried on filter paper at room temperature. For small peppers squeezing the fruits in water works more efficient. The seeds can then easily be removed. Eggplant fruits are broken in pieces and crushed with a PVC pounder. After crushing the pulp is mixed with water. The seeds settle down and the pulp is poured off. Seeds are washed and dried on filter paper at room temperature. The potato fruits are squeezed by hand under water. Empty seeds and contamination are removed by running tap water. The seeds are dried on filter paper.
After cleaning, the samples are checked visually for purity and damaged seeds. Before samples are transferred to the drying room, they are checked with reference samples (especially the wild species) or reference data for matching seed colour and shape. The labels on the outside of the bags are also checked to see that they correspond with the labels inside the bag. As a final check, the seed quantity is checked before transferring the material to the seed manager for further processing.
Seed drying
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The seed samples are dried in the drying room at 15°C and 15% RH, until a seed moisture content of 3-7% is reached. Depending on initial moisture content and the physical and chemical properties of the seed, it takes 2 to 8 weeks before the desired percentage seed moisture content is reached. During drying the seed samples are packed in paper or jute bags. Large samples are divided between several bags to expedite drying.
Seed packaging
The seed samples are packed in laminated aluminium foil bags. The bags consists of 3 layers: the inner layer of 80 µm polyethylene, an intermediate layer of 12 µm aluminum foil and an outer layer of 12 µm polyester. Polyethylene is necessary to seal the bags, the aluminium is non-permeable to moisture and the polyester is used to give the bag its mechanical strength. Four different sizes of bags are used, depending on the crop and the size of the seed samples. For spiny spinach seeds cardboard layers are used to prevent puncturing of the seedbags.
Five different types of samples for storage are distinguished:
User samples (small quantity that is distributed to users)
Germination samples, sample containing seeds that are used to monitor the viability of the accession (prior to storage and at intervals during storage)
Regeneration sample (sample that is used for regeneration of the accession in case the seed quantity or quality is below acceptable levels)
Duplication sample. A sample that is shipped to another genebank or the Svalbard Global Seed Vault for safety duplication.
Residual sample (sample containing the remaining seed of the sample)
Each accession has at least one sample for duplication, one for regeneration and four samples for germination tests. There is usually one residual sample. Sometimes when the seeds are very large, two residual samples are made. Depending on the expected demand by users, the number of pre-packed user samples varies per crop from four to eight bags. Pre-packing of user samples is considered to be more efficient and avoids repeated exposure of seeds to extreme changes in ambient temperature during storage.
The number of seeds per type of sample per crop
Crop User Germination Regeneration
Asparagus 100 100 200
Barley 25/50/100 * 100 100/200/400 *
Clover 200 100 400
Cocksfoot 200 100 400
Cucumber 25 100 50
Melon 25 100 50
Eggplant 25 100 50
Faba beans 40 100 200
Festuca 200 100 400
Flax 300/50* 100 4000/100*
Lettuce 100/50* 100 100
Lupin 40 100 200
Maize 100 100 400
Miscellaneous crucifers 100/300* 100 300
Oats 25/100 * 100 100/400 *
Onion and leek 100/300 * 100 300
Peas 40 100 200
Pepper 25 100 50
Poa 100 100 200
Potato 50 100 100
Rye-grass 200 100 400
Spinach 100/200* 100 200/400
Tomato 25 100 50
Timothy 200 100 400
Wheat 25/50/100 * 100 100/200/400 *
* Number of seeds depends on the subcrop type
Table updated (9 february 2021)
Before packing, the seed quantities of large seeded crops are subdivided into smaller parts using an INRA Rifle type Divider. To check the correct number of seeds per sample, a Contador seed counter is used. Finally the weight of the residual sample is recorded.
After the samples of different sizes are prepared, they are bagged, and sealed under light vacuum conditions using the Hencovax 1900/2 vacuum-sealing machine. Vacuum sealing provides a check on air-tightness of the laminated foil bags. The strength of the vacuum pump can be adjusted, since it is important not to use too high vacuum conditions as this might cause damage to the packing material and/or to the packaged seeds. Especially sharp and pointed seeds may puncture the packing material if not properly treated. After the samples are sealed, the bags are labeled. The label contains the following information:
Accession number
Crop name
Scientific species name
Variety or other name
Date the sample was made
Type of sample (user, germination, multiplication, duplication or residual sample)
Year of regeneration
Number of regeneration cycles
A barcode as a unique identifier for the bag containing some of the above information
The labels are printed on a thermal transfer printer (Easy Coder 7421). To ensure a permanent bond in the -20°C environment; special glue is used to stick the labels to the seed bags.
Seed storage
CGN has long- and medium-term storage facilities, both at -20°C. The total seed bulk after regeneration of an accession is split into two parts. The user bags are placed in household freezers at -20°C. These bags can be easily accessed. The bags of the other types (regeneration bags, germination bags and rest bags) are placed in a cold store at -20°C.
The numbered boxes are grouped by crop and placed on numbered shelves in the cold store. The location of storage (box and shelve) is recorded per bag in the information system.
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Monitoring accessions
Quantity
Regularly accessions with no user samples are marked. New user samples have to be packed using the residual sample. This sample is transferred from the cold store at -20°C to +4°C, one day in advance, to prevent condensation on the seeds. Then the sample is moved to the seed laboratory (±20°C) to make new user samples to be stored in the freezers.
Viability
Accessions need to be regularly tested for viability, this is monitored with standard germination tests. The interval for viability checking depends on the expected seed-storage life of the crop. Crops with a short storage-life need to be checked more frequently than crops with a long storage life. The complete lettuce collection is subject to viability checking every 10 years, whereas the cereal collection is checked every 10, 20, 30 years respectively dependent of the initial germination score. The germination tests are executed by CGN according to the ISTA rules.