Seed deterioration is an undesirable and detrimental attribute of agriculture. This process is a separate event from seed development and germination. Losses in seed quality occur during field weathering, harvesting and storage. Deterioration caused by field weathering is directly related to seed exposure to adverse conditions. Seeds are highly susceptible to damage and mechanical injury during post-harvest handling. Several environmental factors contribute to seed deterioration and these conditions make very difficult to maintain viability during storage. Seed quality depends upon initial seed quality, temperature, moisture content and mycoflora. Rapid deterioration resulting due to environmental conditions make it very difficult to maintain its viability during storage. However, the seed quality and viability during storage depends upon the initial quality of seed and the manner in which it is stored. Seed deterioration is associated with various cellular, metabolic and chemical alterations including lipid peroxidation, membrane disruption, DNA damage, impairment of RNA and protein synthesis and causes several detrimental effects on seed.
