Modeling of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) seed viability with probit analysis.

The main goal of seed storage is to maintain its quality from harvesting to sowing time. Among all factors, storage temperature and seed moisture content are the most important factors affecting seed longevity. This experiment was conducted at University of Tehran, Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding during 1394 to determine the Ellis and Roberts deterioration model of Chenopodium quinoa seeds and introduce constants of viability equation. Seed viability and initial moisture content was measured and after that seeds were adjusted to 5, 9, 13 and 17% moisture content and sealed hermetically in Nano packets. Storage temperatures were 5, 15, 25 and 35˚C. The interval of sampling depended on the storage conditions. Seed viability constants were estimated to predict seed longevity in this species and relationship between sigma and moisture content and temperatures was determined. After probit analysis, survival curves were depicted in each condition. Results showed that seeds with 5% moisture content stored at 5°C had the highest germination percentage, and after 8 months seed viability decreased from 98% to 94%. But, seeds which were stored at 17% moisture content and 25 and 35°C had the highest deterioration rate. Estimates of KE, CW, CH and CQ were 2.93, 0.51, 0.019 and 0.00031, respectively. Also, the results showed that seed longevity decrease with increased seed moisture and temperature.