Effect of Storage Systems and Conditions (Refrigerated vs. Conventional) on Seed Viability, Germination Indices, and Associated Fungal Contamination of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cv. Buhouth 210 in Eastern Libya

Abstract

Storage conditions are among the most critical factors determining wheat grain quality and viability between harvest and sowing. This study evaluated the effects of refrigerated versus conventional storage on germination indices, seedling vigor, and associated fungal contamination of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cv. Buhouth 210 at two storage sites in Eastern Libya (Belenj traditional store and Safsaf refrigerated station) over three consecutive months (August, September, October), using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Statistical analysis (Least Significant Difference, L.S.D) revealed no significant difference between the overall means of the two sites in total germination rate (85.6% for traditional storage vs. 82.9% for refrigerated storage), root length, or first-leaf length (P > 0.05). However, refrigerated samples showed a stable, progressive increase in germination across the three months, whereas traditional storage samples exhibited a sharp, irregular fluctuation. Regarding fungal contamination, a total of 11 fungal colonies were isolated from refrigerated storage versus 14 from traditional storage, with greater fungal diversity in the traditional storage samples. These findings collectively suggest that refrigerated storage provides a more stable and predictable trajectory of seed viability over time, along with a measurable reduction in total fungal load, supporting the adoption of this system for medium- to long-term storage of wheat seed stock under the hot climate prevailing in Eastern Libya.