Effects of aeration during cold storage of germinated vegetable seeds prior to fluid drilling on seedling viability

Germinated seeds of cabbage, carrot, lettuce and onion were stored for 15 days at 1 °C either in water or humid air before being fluid drilled. In aerated water and humid air, seedling viability was maintained for cabbage, carrot and lettuce, and only slightly reduced for onion. Storage in unaerated water reduced seedling viability by 48%-100%. Seeds continued to germinate in aerated storage, but radicle elongation occurred only with cabbage and lettuce.