Seed Storage within a Cold Room: Desiccant Dehumidifier vs. No Dehumidifier

Seed storage is a critical aspect of maintaining the viability and quality of seeds for future use. Controlling humidity levels within a storage environment is essential to prevent moisture-related damage such as germination loss, fungal growth, and deterioration.

Humiscope supplies desiccant dehumidifiers to protect against this threat. Humiscope dehumidifiers deal with the problem directly by absorbing the moisture from the air as a vapour.  There are no cooling coils to freeze, no condensate to drain and the desiccant that absorbs the moisture becomes even more efficient in cold weather.

To Dehumidify or Not to Dehumidify - That is the Question

This article discusses the effectiveness of using a desiccant dehumidifier versus not using any dehumidification method in seed storage within a cold room.

Humiscope has worked with many storage and preservation applications.  With seed storage, we have seen the benefits of using a desiccant dehumidifier within a cold room environment, and the pitfalls when dehumidification is not used.

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Seed Storage With and Without a Dehumidifier

Setup Example

Two identical cold rooms maintaining at a constant temperature of 5°C (41°F). The first cold room (Room A) is equipped with a desiccant dehumidifier, while the second cold room (Room B) had no dehumidification system.

Seed Selection and Preparation

We would choose seeds of the same crop species for the purpose of this comparison. These seeds are of uniform quality and moisture content.

Monitoring Parameters

The following parameters are monitored:

• Relative humidity (RH)

• Seed germination rates

• Fungal growth

• Seed viability

• Seed weight changes

1. Relative Humidity

Room A (with desiccant dehumidifier): The desiccant dehumidifier will maintain a consistently low relative humidity level (around 30-40% RH) within Room A.

Room B (without dehumidifier): The relative humidity in Room B will fluctuate considerably, ranging from 60% to 80% RH due to the absence of a dehumidification system.

2. Seed Germination Rates

Room A: Seeds stored in Room A will exhibit higher germination rates compared to Room B. The controlled humidity environment in Room A will prevent moisture-induced germination loss.

Room B: Seeds in Room B will have lower germination rates due to occasional high humidity conditions favouring premature germination.

3. Fungal Growth

Room A: The low humidity levels in Room A hinder fungal growth, leading to minimal fungal contamination on the stored seeds.

Room B: The fluctuating humidity in Room B will create conditions conducive to fungal growth, resulting in visible fungal contamination on the seeds.

4. Seed Viability

Room A: Seeds stored in Room A will demonstrate higher viability

Room B: Seed viability in Room B will likely be compromised due to both fungal contamination and reduced germination rates.

5. Seed Weight Changes

Room A: Minimal seed weight changes will likely be observed in Room A, suggesting that the controlled humidity environment preserved the seed's moisture content.

Room B: Seeds in Room B will likely experience weight fluctuations, potentially due to the varying humidity levels, which can lead to undesirable moisture absorption or loss.

In conclusion

This article reveals that using a desiccant dehumidifier in a cold room for seed storage has several advantages over not using any dehumidification method. The controlled humidity environment maintained by the desiccant dehumidifier will lead to better preservation of seed quality, viability, and germination rates, while also inhibiting fungal growth and preventing moisture-related damage.

In contrast, not using a dehumidifier will result in fluctuations in humidity levels, compromising seed germination rates, viability, and quality. Therefore, employing a desiccant dehumidifier is recommended for effective seed storage within a cold room to ensure the long-term preservation of seed quality and viability.

Desiccant Dehumidifier Selection

Desiccant dehumidifier performance is unaffected by external air temperature and can maintain a consistent temperature in all seasons.

Many materials are more susceptible to moisture than they are to temperature. Why does this happen? Visit our Preservation and Storage page to learn more

When selecting a desiccant dehumidifier for seed storage, it is crucial to consider factors such as efficiency, reliability, and customization. Humiscope, a leader in dehumidification solutions, offers custom-designed desiccant dehumidifiers that are tailored to the specific requirements of seed storage facilities and specific to each clients exact requirements.