Determination of technological quality of seeds ingrasspea and cowpea from the VIR collection using X-ray method

The possibility was studied of using X-ray diffraction method for analyzing a viability of seeds in grosspea Lathyrus sativus L. and cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp., and in particular, for detection of the internal defects of seeds and their causes. An influence of different types of latent internal defects of seeds on their sowing qualities has been shown. The seeds with damaged cotyledons and embryonic organs very quickly lose their viability and can not be long preserved in the genebanks. Therefore, in long-term storage programs not only germination and seed vigor indexes must be considered, but the hidden damages in seed structure. This method also allows to identify a fungal infection in seeds. So, its use is very important under preparing seeds for storage.