Seed lots of Sorghum, pigeonpea and groundnut harvested in different years and stored for durations varying from one to ten years (1977–1986) under controlled conditions of medium term storage (4°C/20% RH) were genninated under different temperatures and substrate moishm conditions. The germination and seedling vigour were studied to find out optimum conditions while monitoring seeds in gene bank. Minimum mean germination periodwas noted at intermediate levels of moisture content. Mean germination period was maximum at the lowest moisture level. Mean germination period decreased with the increase in temperature. Seed lot stored for longer duration had longer mean germination period than the seed lot stored for shorter duration. In sorghum and pigeonpea, maximum germination was observed at intermediate levels of water content irrespective of temperahire of germination. Among the temperature studied, germination was maximum at 25°C. High moisture level and high temperature promoted shoot length. Seedling vigour decreased with adecrease in temperature. Effect of all the three factors viz. temperature, moisture and year and their interaction was found Significant at 5 per cent level.
