Svalbard Global Seed Vault Commences Seed Experiment That Will Last for 100 years

We need more knowledge to fully answer the question: How long can seeds stay alive? That question is crucial for seed genebanks and research institutes working with plants and seeds. It is known that seeds of good quality can stay alive for several decades and even for centuries. However, there are differences between species and between seed qualities due to different conditions during production and preparing of the seeds. To improve this crucial knowledge, a new seed longevity experiment, comprising seeds of 13 globally important crops, has started in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. The experiment is planned to go on for 100 years.