Effect of seed storage on germplasm integrity of meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.)

Qualitative and quantitative changes in populations of meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.) after seed storage under different conditions were estimated. Phenotypic characters of plants grown from seeds stored for 54 months under two different storage conditions were compared. The germination of most of the seed accessions stored under favourable conditions remained at the initial level while storage under unfavourable conditions resulted in a decrease of the initial germination percentage as well as in an increase in the number of plants showing chlorophyll aberrations. There is great variability among the accessions resulting from storage under unfavourable conditions. In case of a few accessions a decrease in germination below 35% resulted in chlorophyll aberrations, faster flowering, shorter inflorescence and reduced viability of pollen grains.