Germinability of Vicia sativa L. seeds after 10 years of storage in a base collection

The germinability of the Vicia sativa L. seed samples in the base collection at the Centro de Recursos Fitogenéticos (Spain) was controlled in 1986 and 1996. The mean germination of the collection, assessed by One-Sample T Test, was higher than 85%, suggesting its viability was properly maintained along the period. However, changes in germination along the same period assessed by Paired-Samples T Test showed a slight decrease in its global germinability. More data on the viability of stored seeds worldwide -- including communication of unpublished data -- are needed. Viability assays should be performed according to standard, internationally coordinated protocols and statistical analysis, within an adequate documentation system that assures the integrity of accession information.