Aging and longevity in decades-old genebanked seeds from U.S. endangered plant species: Assessments using survival and RNA integrity assays.

Overall, longevity in the genebank appears to be similar for seeds from wild and domesticated species. We identified species that appeared to produce quite long-lived and short-lived seeds. Seeds from wild species tend to germinate slowly and asynchronously, and this confounds comparisons across storage times; deterioration is detected mostly after severe mortality. By contrast, RIN values decline before viability loss is detected and appear to be unaffected by wild seed traits. RIN tests during early storage can help predict seed longevity.